Department of Sustainable Environments
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Letter from the Department Chair
Welcome to the Department of Sustainable Environments at Thomas Jefferson University.
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, from climate change and rapid urbanization to housing, public health, and social equity. At the same time, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, geospatial analytics, and computational design are transforming how we understand and shape the built environment. Creating a more sustainable future requires more than new technologies; it demands design thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and a holistic approach that balances environmental, social, and economic priorities.
At Jefferson, we prepare the next generation of designers, planners, professionals, and leaders to address these complex challenges. Through hands-on learning, real-world projects, and partnerships with industry and communities, students develop the knowledge and skills to create resilient places that improve quality of life. Our award-winning programs in Landscape Architecture (LAAB accredited), the MS in Sustainable Design, Master of Urban Design, and MS in Real Estate Development are united by a shared commitment to sustainability.
We offer certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs designed to meet diverse educational goals. Flexible online and on-campus formats, along with full-time and part-time options, allow students to pursue their education in ways that fit their lives.
Our internationally recognized faculty combine research, professional practice, and Jefferson's distinctive Nexus Learning approach to provide an interdisciplinary, practice-based education. Together, we prepare graduates who are ready to shape a more sustainable future and create lasting impacts for people, communities, and the planet.
I invite you to explore our programs and discover how the Department of Sustainable Environments can help you turn your passion into purpose. I look forward to welcoming you to our community.
Best wishes,
Peng Du, PhD, LEED AP, WELL AP
Department Chair & Associate Professor
Department of Sustainable Environments
Assistant Provost for Research and Scholarship
Thomas Jefferson University, East Falls Campus