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Louise Bordelon PhD
Assistant Professor
- Landscape Architecture
- PhD Faculty - Geography, Planning, and Design
- Landscape Architecture Department (CAP)
- College of Architecture and Planning
Louise Bordelon was educated in landscape architecture, architecture, geography, and anthropology in both South Africa and the United States (where she was a Fulbright Scholar). Prior to joining CU Denver in 2019, Louise taught landscape architecture at Louisiana State University and worked in practice in South Africa and the United States and also held a postdoctoral fellowship in Geography at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Her research, teaching, and practice explore ideas around cultural landscapes, landscape interpretation, tourist photographs and their impact on tourist behavior, and the narratives and identities that we construct to create a tourist landscape. Louise is drawn to places of cultural and landscape change and is focused on exploring the 'neglected narratives' of landscape interpretation including erased ecologies, cultures, races, and individuals. Her varied and diverse education, and background as a woman from Africa, allow her to work through a truly interdisciplinary and inter-cultural approach to research and different research methodologies. Louise also publishes on topics around mountain biking, specifically barriers to women's participation in mountain biking and other sports associated with risk and fear. She practices Disturbia through rewilding the suburban landscape and displays a keen interest in urban ecology, biodiversity, pollinator pathways, and the invention of nature.
Louise is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Council of Landscape Architecture Educators, and is a member of the CU Denver Fulbright Committee and the City of Arvada Parks Advisory Board.
Areas of Expertise
cultural landscapes, representation, tourist behavior, national parks, Natchez Trace Parkway, biodiversity, urban ecology, hand-drawing, graphics, student assessment, and design teaching.
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- 2017, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Stellenbosch University
- 2015, Doctor of Philosophy, Louisiana State University (Geography & Anthropology)
- 2010, Master of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University
- 2007, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Hon), University of Pretoria
- 2003, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, University of Cape Town
Awards
- 2023 College of Architecture and Planning, CU Denver, Excellence in Leadership and Service Award 2022 American Society of Landscape Architects, National Student Honor Award for Community Service, Faculty Advisor.
- 2021-2023 ThinqStudio Fellow, ThinqStudio, University of Colorado Denver
- 2021 Provost’s Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Teaching during Covid-19 Pandemic
- 2010-2012 Evelyn Pruitt Scholarship for Women in Geography, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 2009 Leie Valley Workshop Fellowship, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- 2009 Graduate Student Exhibition Award, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 2008-2010 Foreign Fulbright Scholar to United States
- 2007 Global Studio Fellowship, Columbia University, University of Rome LaSapienza, and Technical University of Sydney
- 2004 Dean’s Medal, Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2000 Golden Key Honor Society Member, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Affiliations
- Board Member, Arvada Parks and Recreation Advisory Council
- Member, Council for Educators in Landscape Architecture
- Member, American Society of Landscape Architects
- Chapter Advisor, American Society of Landscape Architects - Student Chapter
- Member, Denver Botanic Gardens