Affiliated Institution:  Universidad Iberoamericana- México

Affiliated Institution : Colegio de Postgraduados

Position :  Professor

Academic Degree: PhD. Planning, University of Waterloo, Canada

Research Topics: Green Infrastructure in middle cities in Mexico, Heritage Mexican Landscapes, Landscape Appraisal and value for heritage landscapes, Vegetation in the High Mountain Region in Mexico.

Researcher Link : https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PBRagBsAAAAJ&hl=es

Research Area: Green Infrastructure, Environmental Justice, Heritage landscapes, Vegetation, Rural landscape design

Brief Summary of Profile 

Rafael Arturo Muñoz-Márquez Trujillo is a tenured Professor-Researcher at the Colegio de Postgraduados (ColPos). He holds a Ph.D. in Landscape Planning from the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Canada; a Master's degree in Valuation from the University of Guadalajara; a Master's degree in Business and Intangible Asset Valuation from the Centro de Valores, Mexico; a Master's degree in Science from the Colegio de Postgraduados; and is a Landscape Architect from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He also holds a diploma in Geomatics from Centro Geo and has received training in Geographic Information Systems at the University of Twente, Netherlands.

At ColPos, Córdoba Campus, he is a tenured professor in the postgraduate program in Landscape and Rural Tourism, teaching courses in Landscape Principles, Territorial Planning, and Cultural Heritage. He also holds a chair professorship at the Faculty of Architecture, Universidad Veracruzana-Córdoba, where he teaches "Landscape Architecture."

His scholarly work encompasses publications on heritage landscapes, rural landscapes, green infrastructure, and ecotourism, specializing in the High Mountains region of Veracruz. He has supervised and is currently supervising eleven master's theses (Landscape and Rural Tourism and Landscape Architecture) and five undergraduate theses in architecture.

His research interests focus on rural and urban landscape design, heritage landscapes, landscape valuation, and green infrastructure. His publications include several articles in indexed journals, a book, book chapters, and presentations at national and international conferences

Selected Research Articles

Muñoz-Márquez, T. R. A. (2024). Economic valuation of a gallery landscape of ahuehuetes in Ciudad Mendoza Veracruz, using the AMUVAM method. Agro Productividad. https://doi.org/10.32854/agrop.v16i10.2579

Reyes-Plata, J. A., Muñoz-Márquez T., R. A., Farfán-Gutiérrez, M., & Martínez-Cruz, A. L. (2024). Escasez de infraestructura verde en seis ciudades mexicanas. Legado de Arquitectura y Diseño, 19(36), Article 36. https://doi.org/10.36677/legado.v19i36.25799

Muñoz-Márquez T., R. A., & Hidalgo-Contreras, J. V. (2022). Verde urbano y resiliencia: Una exploración en Córdoba, Fortín y Amatlán, Veracruz, México. Decumanus, 9(9), Article 9. https://doi.org/10.20983/decumanus.2022.2.6

Muñoz-Márquez T, R. A., & Zárate-Rodríguez, A. (2020). Barranca del Metlac, Veracruz: Un paisaje patrimonial en riesgo. Legado de Arquitectura y Diseño, 15(27), Article 27. https://doi.org/10.36677/legado.v15i27.15114

Affiliated Institution: Faculty of Environmental Design, Kyushu University

Position: Associate professor

Academic Degree: Master, University of California, Berkeley

Research Topics: Planning systems and policies for blue green infrastructure,  Design and planning of blue green infrastructure

Research Area:  City planning, Environmental planning and  Landscape design

Brief Summary of Profile 

Kenjiro has worked on landscape design and planning projects for 11 years at Ramboll and SLA in Norway. In particular, he has been involved in many district-scale blue green infrastructure in which runoff water is usually stored and infiltrated on site, and in heavy rain events, excess rainfall is diverted through safe floodways to rivers or green areas that can be temporarily flooded. Currently, Kenjiro is working on the application and implementation of such measures in Japanese context.

Selected Research Articles

A Study of Debates in Revision of Laws Concerning Open Stormwater Management Measures

A case study of Quantitative and Network-Based Stormwater Management Planning in Norway –(2023) , Papers on City Planning No.58-3、pp.1485-1492, The City Planning Institute of Japan, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11361/journalcpij.58.1485

A study on multi-scale plans for the park and green space network development in Oslo (2019), Papers on City Planning No.54-3、pp.990-997, The City Planning Institute of Japan, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11361/journalcpij.54.990

A study on planning method and spatial structure of stormwater management in large scale urban development projects in Norway (2019), Landscape Studies, 82(5), pp. 657-662, Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture,DOI: https://doi.org/10.5632/jila.82.657

A study on the trail network project in urban area and implementation of detailed zoning plans in Stavanger, Norway (2016), Papers on City Planning No.51-3, pp.634-641, The City Planning Institute of Japan, DOI：https://doi.org/10.11361/journalcpij.51.634

Research Fund 

• Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program

Study on Plans and Systems for Implementing Green Infrastructure- Period: April 2025- January 2028. Funding Agency: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. Amount: 7,500,000 JPY.  Role (FY 2025): Survey of the current status of land management and operation of local government systems related to Green Infrastructure, A case study plan for Green Infrastructure measures based on the survey

• Implementation and Concept-making of Nature-based Water Circulation for Residential Outdoor Space

Period: October 2024-September 2025. Funding Agency: Anesis Co., Ltd. Amount:1,300,000 JPY. Role: Design advice for model projects, Concept-making of Nature-based water circulation for residential outdoor space. 

Affiliated Institution: Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad León, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) 

Position: Professor

Academic Degree:  PhD in Design, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University

Research Topics: Landscape architecture and  design.  Urban green planning.  Environmental Justice.  

Researcher Link : https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gYXph6sAAAAJ&hl=es

Research Area:    Nature based Solutions,  Green Infrastructure,  Co-creation process, Socioecological systems in landscape architecture.  Dry climate cities in Mexico.  History of green infraestructure in Mexico. 

Affiliated Institution:The University of Tokyo, Department of Urban Engineering

Position: Associate Professor

Academic Degree: Ph.D, The University of Tokyo

Research Topics: Urban planning, Green space planning, Land use planning, Urban environmental planning and design, Landscape ecology

Researcher Link: https://researchmap.jp/7000007675/

Research Area:  Urban environmental planning for climate change adaptation,  Green infrastructure management,  Nature positive ,  Public space management using digital transformation technology,   Socially inclusive city

Brief Summary of Profile 

She specializes in landscape ecology and urban planning. Today, countries around the world are experiencing severe damage from sea level rises, increased abnormal weather, and natural disasters such as earthquakes due to climate change. In this situation, it is necessary to create green infrastructure and utilize its multifaceted functions, such as regional revitalization, water management, disaster prevention and mitigation, biodiversity, landscape improvement, and health promotion. 

To create green infrastructure, she will analyze the structure, function, and changes of landscapes due to the natural and social conditions unique to each region, and will also use advanced simulation technology to evaluate future regional risks. She is also engaged in practical activities to draw a vision for the future together with local stakeholders, aiming to create urban environmental plans and designs that are resilient to such risks and allow people to enjoy a rich environment in their daily lives.

She is also engaged in research activities such as a project for public space management using digital transformation technology in metropolitan city centers, accessibility assessment of urban green spaces to eliminate green gentrification, and area management of natural capital through public-private-academic collaboration. She has been involved in the formulation of 70 plans and served as a council member for the national and local governments. Her main publications include Labor Forces and Landscape Managements. She has received the International City Planning Association Best Presentation Award and the City Planning Institute of Japan Paper Encouragement Award.

Selected Research Articles

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2025.105392

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2025.01.001

https://doi.org/10.14398/urpr.11.208

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2024.102894

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100427

Research Fund 

• FY2020-FY2022 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Basic Research B: 20H02332) "Establishment of a rainwater infiltration, storage, and runoff suppression type green space management system for watershed resilience" (Principal Investigator) Direct expenses: 12,600,000 yen. 

• -FY2023-FY2025 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Basic Research B: 23H01584) "Establishment of integrated green infrastructure management digital transformation for watershed resilience" (Principal Investigator) Direct expenses: 13,500,000 yen 

• -FY2023-FY2025 JST-RISTEX "Co-creative Research and Development Program for the Achievement of SDGs (SOLVE for SDGs) Scenario Creation Phase" "Scenario Creation of a Public Space Management Digital Transformation Platform to Realize the Movement, Interaction, and Social Participation of People with Mobility Disabilities" (Principal Investigator) Direct expenses: 12,000,000 yen. 

• -FY2024-FY2027 Cabinet Office Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) "Ministerial collaboration platform for green infrastructure to evaluate the creation of attractive national land, cities, and regions" (Co-contributor) Direct cost: 12,000,000 yen. 

• -FY2016 to FY2019 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Young Researchers B: 16K18207) "Green space planning methodology based on appropriate allocation of green space services and management costs in a declining population" (Leader) Direct cost: 3,200,000 yen

Affiliated Institution: Faculty of Design, Kyushu University

Position: Assistant Professor

Academic Degree:  PhD in Design, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University

Research Topics: Environmental Management and Policy Design

Researcher Link : https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=mY0IsskAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Area:    Environmental Remote Sensing,  Forest Conservation,  Tropical Deforestation,  Urban Green,   Social Conflict and Environmental Policy

Brief Summary of Profile 

Dr. Asik Ullah’s research encompasses a broad array of topics at the intersection of forests, communities, and sustainability in both rural and urban settings. His scholarly focus primarily addresses forest governance, land tenure, rural livelihoods, urban green spaces, and the socio-environmental dynamics of deforestation and conservation, particularly within Bangladesh and the broader Global South. A significant aspect of his recent work involves an analysis of the social dimensions of forest protection, examining how land rights, forest ownership, and policy interventions influence both forest outcomes and local livelihoods. His studies have yielded critical insights into the impact of various forest management regimes—such as protected areas and community forestry—on poverty dynamics, resource access, and conservation effectiveness.

Dr. Ullah also tackles the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, investigating the uneven distribution of green spaces and their implications for environmental and public health. His interdisciplinary approach combines qualitative fieldwork with spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and policy evaluation, often framed within a global comparative context. His collaborative projects and publications demonstrate a steadfast commitment to incorporating environmental justice and inclusive development into the discourse on sustainability. By delving into the socio-political foundations of land use and conservation policies, Dr. Ullah’s work aims to foster more equitable and effective environmental governance.

With a robust publication record that includes peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy-oriented pieces, Dr. Ullah continues to engage and inform both academic and policy audiences. His contributions are particularly significant to discussions surrounding sustainable development, community resilience, and nature-based solutions

Selected Research Articles

Sakamoto, M., Ullah, S.M.A., and Tani, M., 2024. "Impacts of Refugee Influx on the Local Economy and Environmental Degradation in Bangladesh: A Spatial Multilevel Autoregressive Analysis." World Development, 183(106729)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106729

Ullah, S.M.A., Asahiro, K., Moriyama, M., Tsuchiya, J., Rahman, M.A., Mary, M., and Tani, M., 2023. "Causes and Consequences of Forest Cover Transformation on Human-Wildlife Interaction in the Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh". Trees, Forests and People, 7, 100167, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2023.100476

Ullah, S.M.A., Tani, M., Tsuchiya, J., Rahman, M.A., and Moriyama, M., 2022. "Impact of Protected Areas and Co-management on Forest Cover: A Case Study from Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh". Land Use Policy, 113, 105932. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105932

Kabir, K.H., Hassan, F., Mukta, M.Z.N., Roy, D., Darr, D., Leggette, H., Ullah, S.M.A., 2022. “Application of the Technology Acceptance Model to Assess the Use and Preference of ICTs among Field-level Extension Officers in Bangladesh”. Digital Geography and Society, 3, 100027, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diggeo.2022.100027

Sakamoto, M., Ullah, S.M.A., and Tani, M., 2021. "Land Cover Changes after the Massive Rohingya Refugee Influx in Bangladesh: Neo-Classic Unsupervised Approach". Remote Sensing, 12(24), 5056., https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/24/5056

Research Fund 

Principal Investigator (2024~2026), Grant No. 24K20975 (Approximately $ 38,000)

• Forest Conservation by Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES): A Comparative Analysis of the Policy Outcome to Subsidize the Cooking Fuel in Teknaf-Ukhia, Bangladesh. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Principal Investigator (2020~2022), Grant No. 20K20020 (Approximately $ 36,000)

• A Study on the Livelihood Resilience of the World’s Most Densely Populated Refugees in the Rohingya Refugee Camps of Bangladesh. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)