About
GULF Lab is an interdisciplinary research hub exploring climate adaptation, resilience and urban transformation on the Gulf Coast.Based at the University of Houston’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, the lab examines how urban systems, ecological networks and infrastructure can adapt to flooding, extreme heat and environmental degradation, with particular attention to the Lower Galveston Bay region. Its methods combine scenario planning, policy research and cartographic analysis with mapping, simulation and modeling.GULF Lab consolidates the work of the Adaptive Urban Systems Research Lab, bringing its research on heat resilience, geospatial analysis of municipal service demand and community-centered climate governance together with the lab’s design studios.The lab collaborates with academic institutions, community organizations and government agencies. Its studio work is supported by a grant from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
PeopleGraphic design and branding by Jacob Marcus
DirectorDalia Munenzon
Current research teamIsabel EstradaCarlos Cedillo CarranzaKavya PuvvadaGowtham Gudla
Alumni research assistantsGabriel CastanedaMarco ChapaRubaiya SultanaAnnaMarie WallaceJoan Ku
Faculty collaboratorsMélanie Louterbach, Ph.D, MLAAssistant Professor | Sustainable Urban Design & Landscape Architecture
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and DesignHanadi S. Rifai, Ph.D.Director, Hurricane Resilience Research Institute, University of HoustonOmolola E. Adepoju, Ph.D., M.P.H.Director, UH Humana Institute
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and DesignHanadi S. Rifai, Ph.D.Director, Hurricane Resilience Research Institute, University of HoustonOmolola E. Adepoju, Ph.D., M.P.H.Director, UH Humana Institute
Community collaboratorsTexas Health & Environment AllianceEast Harris County Empowerment CouncilBarrett Historical Society
Practice collaboratorsAlexandra Paty DiazProject Manager, Planning, LJA EngineeringEvan O’NeilCartography expertDanielle GetsingerCEO, AdaaptaElena BruessEnvironmental journalist
Past collaboratorsMatthew Johnson
Gulf Urbanism and Landscape Futures LabDirected by Dalia MunenzonSupported by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
© 2026 GULF Lab
University of Houston
University of Houston