Designing the Wildland Urban Interface: Nature-based solutions for wildfire mitigation and equitable land access within a post-fire Los Angeles
Aimee Kirby
SCASLA Achievement Award
The judges commended the project’s strong research and methodology, noting its deep understanding of the site and clear justification. They highlighted the touching themes of remembrance and the project’s powerful design intent, which made it stand out as an outstanding research-based proposal. Graphics were praised for their clarity and materiality. While certain program features felt more urban than the natural character of Eaton Canyon, they nonetheless introduced a fresh aesthetic that added interest.
A significant blind spot exists in land use and community planning regarding wildfire risk mitigation. Current strategies focus either on individual homes or broader ecological fire dynamics, neglecting the community scale where risk is rapidly rising. This project explores the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) as a key area for design inquiry. Focusing on nature-based solutions, this project examines and reimagines the recently burned Eaton Canyon Natural Area as a recreational greenbelt and wildfire buffer zone. Serving as a multifunctional design model for mitigating and managing wildfire risk on the WUI and other urban areas.
Additionally, the greenbelt concept promotes equitable land access, fosters community connectivity, supports habitat restoration, and offers recreational and educational opportunities. This integrative approach positions landscape architecture as a key discipline in addressing the multidimensional challenges posed by wildfires at the community scale.
About aimee
I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, a city shaped by the history of steel production and the challenges of post-industrial decline. I pursued a degree in Studio Art from Youngstown State University, focusing on sculpture and installation, which developed my understanding of form, structure, and spatial design. These experiences, combined with a long-standing interest in the natural environment, led me to pursue a career in landscape architecture. Before moving to Los Angeles to attend the UCLAx Landscape Architecture Program, I lived in New York City for nearly a decade. During that time, I worked for Town and Gardens, a design-build firm specializing in residential project management, and later with the Horticultural Society of New York, where I managed the Green Team program. This initiative focused on job skills training and horticultural therapy for at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals, while also building green spaces and pocket parks throughout the city. Currently, I operate my own multidisciplinary design practice that brings together interior and exterior projects with an emphasis on thoughtful, integrated design solutions. Outside of professional work, I continue to explore weaving and textile arts as a creative outlet. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, Ben, and our dog, Jasper, and I am immensely grateful for all their support and love during this academic journey.