Steven French | Georgia Institute of Technology (original) (raw)

Biosketch - Steven P. French, Ph.D., FAICP

Dr. Steven P. French is Dean of the College of Architecture and Professor of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Institute of Technology. He joined Georgia Tech in 1992 as the Director of the City Planning Program and served in that position until August 1999. He was the Director of the Center for Geographic Information Systems from 1997 through 2011. He served as Associate Dean for Research for the College of Architecture from July 2009 through June 2013.

Dr. French’s teaching and research activities focus on sustainable urban development, land use planning, GIS applications and natural hazard risk assessment. In addition to his administrative assignments, Professor French has regularly taught graduate courses in land use planning and GIS. He has graduated six Ph.D. students and advised more than fifty Masters students in City and Regional Planning. He has also served on numerous dissertation committees in Architecture, Civil Engineering and Public Policy. Over the past twenty-five years, Dr. French has been the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on more than seventy research projects. He has participated in a number of National Science Foundation projects dealing with flood and earthquake hazards and was the Social Science Thrust Leader for the Mid-America Earthquake Center, a NSF Engineering Research Center. He has extensive experience in building and managing multidisciplinary teams of social scientists, architects, engineers and scientists. Dr. French is the author or co-author of more than twenty-five refereed journal articles and four books. He has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of the American Planning Association, Journal of Planning Education and Research, Journal of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association and Earthquake Spectra.

French has served on numerous Institute committees at Georgia Tech, including the conflict of interest committee, the strategic technology investment committee and the strategic plan implementation committee, where he was the liaison for the Interdisciplinary Design Center initiative.

Dr. French holds a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before coming to Georgia Tech, he taught for ten years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. In 1987-88, Dr. French served as the Visiting Professor of Resources Planning in the Civil Engineering Department at Stanford University. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and an associate member of the American Institute of Architects.

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Books by Steven French

by Moira Zellner, Daniel Felsenstein, Richard Sinnott, Yingling Fan, David King, Francisco Pereira, Tae Hong Park, Joseph Y J Chow, Seth Spielman, Piyushimita (Vonu) Thakuriah, Frank Douma, Timothy Johnson, Nader Afzalan, Jonathan Peters, Li Yin, Mubassira Khan, Sungsoon Hwang, Steven French, Kristin Tufte, Yao-Li Wang, Lise Dirks, Camille Barchers, Gregory Erhardt, Phil Delaney, Yu-Luen Ma, Laiyun Wu, Luca Morandini, and Josep Maria Salanova Grau

Papers by Steven French

While the exact amount of flood-hazard area in North Carolina is unknown, a reputable 1973 study ... more While the exact amount of flood-hazard area in North Carolina is unknown, a reputable 1973 study estimated this area to be 3,652,000 acres, or twelve percent of the total land area of the state (Goddard, 1973). A total of 174 communities have been identified as flood-prone by the National Flood Insurance Program. Based on the number of flood insurance policies in force in November 1978, North Carolina has at least 18,647 structures located in flood-hazard areas. Traditionally, flooding has been less serious in North Carolina (and the Southeast, in general) than in several other parts of the country. North Carolina did not develop urban concentrations along major rivers or in coastal areas around seaports, and the concentration of development in the piedmont area of the state, where flooding is relatively less severe, has been a major factor in North Carolina's past record of small flood losses. Recent changes in the pattern of development, however, are likely to lead to serious ...

International Journal of Green Energy, 2020

Environmental science & technology, Jan 20, 2017

The purpose of this study is to explore the potential water, CO2 and NOx emission, and cost savin... more The purpose of this study is to explore the potential water, CO2 and NOx emission, and cost savings that the deployment of decentralized water and energy technologies within two urban growth scenarios can achieve. We assess the effectiveness of urban growth, technological, and political strategies to reduce these burdens in the 13-county Atlanta metropolitan region. The urban growth between 2005 and 2030 was modeled for a business as usual (BAU) scenario and a more compact growth (MCG) scenario. We considered combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems using microturbines for our decentralized energy technology and rooftop rainwater harvesting and low flow fixtures for the decentralized water technologies. Decentralized water and energy technologies had more of an impact in reducing the CO2 and NOx emissions and water withdrawal and consumption than an MCG growth scenario (which does not consider energy for transit). Decentralized energy can reduce the CO2 and NOx emissions b...

A geographic information system (GIS) uses a computer to link a database management system to a n... more A geographic information system (GIS) uses a computer to link a database management system to a number of spatially distributed features that can be represented on a map. GIS technology has developed to a point where it is cheaper, more powerful, and more widely available, and many jurisdictions are in the process of studying or implementing GIS for their planning and investment decisions. This report suggests a procedure for the successful completion of the first step in the implementation of GIS--completing a user needs assessment. The first section of the report discusses the potential benefits of GIS and provides examples to highlight those benefits specific to planning. The current hierarchy of computer software available for automated mapping and GIS is described, and the varying capabilities of these software options are discussed. Next, the benefits of conducting an assessment of user needs before selecting and implementing a GIS are examined. The last sections of the report detail the steps in designing and conducting the assessment. The final section describes the products that should result from the assessment process. Appendices to the report provide a glossary of terms used in GIS, some sample interview guides, a sample RFP for needs assessment services, and a list of professional organizations that can be of assistance.

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2000

Geologic deposits susceptible to ground motion amplification under seismic loading in the New Mad... more Geologic deposits susceptible to ground motion amplification under seismic loading in the New Madrid Seismic Zone are delineated using multiple data sources including in situ measurements, geologic maps, and remote-sensing imagery. Soils are classified on the basis of the recommendations from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, which recommends a classification based on the average shear wave velocity of the geologic material in the upper 30 m. Measurements of shear wave velocity were obtained from Central United States Earthquake Consortium state geologists, the U.S. Geological Survey, and several researchers. However, since this is a predominantly rural area, limited field test data are available. Therefore, several other data sources are introduced including geologic maps and remote-sensing imagery to extrapolate dynamic properties in areas lacking extensive field measurements. Each data source was incorporated into a geographic information system for subsequent an...

IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2010

While the incorporation of microcomputing in planning education and practice over the past dozen ... more While the incorporation of microcomputing in planning education and practice over the past dozen years has not completely revolutionized the field, computing technology has significantly changed the business of planning. Planners can now evaluate more options and have access to a wider array of data to support planning and decision making. It has also significantly changed the set of skills that entry level planners are expected to possess.

Proceedings, 6th International Space Syntax Symposium, Istanbul Technical University, Cenkler, Istanbul, 2007

Measures of street configuration are correlated to measures of population, development and parcel... more Measures of street configuration are correlated to measures of population, development and parcel densities for a sample of 25 urban areas in the Atlanta metropolis. This constitutes a contribution to modeling the co-variation of different aspects of the spatial structure of cities. The results also provide a foundation for discussing the appropriate ways for defining urban density from the point of view of designing cities.

Environmental Science & Technology, 2010

A Brief History of Seismic Risk Assessment.- Perspectives on the History of Seismic Risk Assessme... more A Brief History of Seismic Risk Assessment.- Perspectives on the History of Seismic Risk Assessment.- Strategic Directions in Seismic Modeling: HAZUS(R) Development and Current Applications for Catastrophe Planning.- Perspectives on Development and Current Applications for Catastrophe Planning.- Loss Estimation Models and Metrics.- Perspectives on Loss Estimation Models and Metrics.- Seismic Risk Mitigation Decisions Under Uncertainty.- Perspectives on Seismic Risk Mitigation Decisions Under Uncertainty.- Modeling Seismic Mitigation Strategies.- Perspectives on Modeling Seismic Mitigation Strategies.- Visualizing Uncertainty in Natural Hazards.- Perspectives on Visualizing Uncertainty in Natural Hazards.- Conclusion.

Sustainability: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives

... Salary Survey. Issues & Advocacy: Competency - Raise The Bar; Disaster Preparedne... more ... Salary Survey. Issues & Advocacy: Competency - Raise The Bar; Disaster Preparedness & Response; Get Involved; Government Relations; Infrastructure; ... Transportation Facilities in Mid-America. ... Part of: Optimizing Post-Earthquake Lifeline System Reliability. ...

The earthquake hazard in mid-America is characterized by large, but infrequent events. As a resul... more The earthquake hazard in mid-America is characterized by large, but infrequent events. As a result, the level of seismic building design and retrofit is generally thought to be lower than in many other seismically active regions, however the exact nature of the building stock is not known. In developing its research agenda the Mid-America Earthquake Center determined that an inventory of essential facilities in the region was part of the foundation needed to support its research efforts. Rather than focus on the entire building stock, we selected essential facilities as the most critical target for this initial investigation. Essential facilities are those facilities that must play an important role in the recovery period following an earthquake. They include hospitals, police and fire stations and schools, which often serve as emergency shelters. This report summarizes the analysis of 1306 essential facilities for which key structural characteristics were collected through telephon...

Presented on September 25, 2008 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Georgia Tech Architecture Libr... more Presented on September 25, 2008 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Georgia Tech Architecture Library.

An academic directory and search engine.

by Moira Zellner, Daniel Felsenstein, Richard Sinnott, Yingling Fan, David King, Francisco Pereira, Tae Hong Park, Joseph Y J Chow, Seth Spielman, Piyushimita (Vonu) Thakuriah, Frank Douma, Timothy Johnson, Nader Afzalan, Jonathan Peters, Li Yin, Mubassira Khan, Sungsoon Hwang, Steven French, Kristin Tufte, Yao-Li Wang, Lise Dirks, Camille Barchers, Gregory Erhardt, Phil Delaney, Yu-Luen Ma, Laiyun Wu, Luca Morandini, and Josep Maria Salanova Grau

While the exact amount of flood-hazard area in North Carolina is unknown, a reputable 1973 study ... more While the exact amount of flood-hazard area in North Carolina is unknown, a reputable 1973 study estimated this area to be 3,652,000 acres, or twelve percent of the total land area of the state (Goddard, 1973). A total of 174 communities have been identified as flood-prone by the National Flood Insurance Program. Based on the number of flood insurance policies in force in November 1978, North Carolina has at least 18,647 structures located in flood-hazard areas. Traditionally, flooding has been less serious in North Carolina (and the Southeast, in general) than in several other parts of the country. North Carolina did not develop urban concentrations along major rivers or in coastal areas around seaports, and the concentration of development in the piedmont area of the state, where flooding is relatively less severe, has been a major factor in North Carolina's past record of small flood losses. Recent changes in the pattern of development, however, are likely to lead to serious ...

International Journal of Green Energy, 2020

Environmental science & technology, Jan 20, 2017

The purpose of this study is to explore the potential water, CO2 and NOx emission, and cost savin... more The purpose of this study is to explore the potential water, CO2 and NOx emission, and cost savings that the deployment of decentralized water and energy technologies within two urban growth scenarios can achieve. We assess the effectiveness of urban growth, technological, and political strategies to reduce these burdens in the 13-county Atlanta metropolitan region. The urban growth between 2005 and 2030 was modeled for a business as usual (BAU) scenario and a more compact growth (MCG) scenario. We considered combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems using microturbines for our decentralized energy technology and rooftop rainwater harvesting and low flow fixtures for the decentralized water technologies. Decentralized water and energy technologies had more of an impact in reducing the CO2 and NOx emissions and water withdrawal and consumption than an MCG growth scenario (which does not consider energy for transit). Decentralized energy can reduce the CO2 and NOx emissions b...

A geographic information system (GIS) uses a computer to link a database management system to a n... more A geographic information system (GIS) uses a computer to link a database management system to a number of spatially distributed features that can be represented on a map. GIS technology has developed to a point where it is cheaper, more powerful, and more widely available, and many jurisdictions are in the process of studying or implementing GIS for their planning and investment decisions. This report suggests a procedure for the successful completion of the first step in the implementation of GIS--completing a user needs assessment. The first section of the report discusses the potential benefits of GIS and provides examples to highlight those benefits specific to planning. The current hierarchy of computer software available for automated mapping and GIS is described, and the varying capabilities of these software options are discussed. Next, the benefits of conducting an assessment of user needs before selecting and implementing a GIS are examined. The last sections of the report detail the steps in designing and conducting the assessment. The final section describes the products that should result from the assessment process. Appendices to the report provide a glossary of terms used in GIS, some sample interview guides, a sample RFP for needs assessment services, and a list of professional organizations that can be of assistance.

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2000

Geologic deposits susceptible to ground motion amplification under seismic loading in the New Mad... more Geologic deposits susceptible to ground motion amplification under seismic loading in the New Madrid Seismic Zone are delineated using multiple data sources including in situ measurements, geologic maps, and remote-sensing imagery. Soils are classified on the basis of the recommendations from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, which recommends a classification based on the average shear wave velocity of the geologic material in the upper 30 m. Measurements of shear wave velocity were obtained from Central United States Earthquake Consortium state geologists, the U.S. Geological Survey, and several researchers. However, since this is a predominantly rural area, limited field test data are available. Therefore, several other data sources are introduced including geologic maps and remote-sensing imagery to extrapolate dynamic properties in areas lacking extensive field measurements. Each data source was incorporated into a geographic information system for subsequent an...

IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2010

While the incorporation of microcomputing in planning education and practice over the past dozen ... more While the incorporation of microcomputing in planning education and practice over the past dozen years has not completely revolutionized the field, computing technology has significantly changed the business of planning. Planners can now evaluate more options and have access to a wider array of data to support planning and decision making. It has also significantly changed the set of skills that entry level planners are expected to possess.

Proceedings, 6th International Space Syntax Symposium, Istanbul Technical University, Cenkler, Istanbul, 2007

Measures of street configuration are correlated to measures of population, development and parcel... more Measures of street configuration are correlated to measures of population, development and parcel densities for a sample of 25 urban areas in the Atlanta metropolis. This constitutes a contribution to modeling the co-variation of different aspects of the spatial structure of cities. The results also provide a foundation for discussing the appropriate ways for defining urban density from the point of view of designing cities.

Environmental Science & Technology, 2010

A Brief History of Seismic Risk Assessment.- Perspectives on the History of Seismic Risk Assessme... more A Brief History of Seismic Risk Assessment.- Perspectives on the History of Seismic Risk Assessment.- Strategic Directions in Seismic Modeling: HAZUS(R) Development and Current Applications for Catastrophe Planning.- Perspectives on Development and Current Applications for Catastrophe Planning.- Loss Estimation Models and Metrics.- Perspectives on Loss Estimation Models and Metrics.- Seismic Risk Mitigation Decisions Under Uncertainty.- Perspectives on Seismic Risk Mitigation Decisions Under Uncertainty.- Modeling Seismic Mitigation Strategies.- Perspectives on Modeling Seismic Mitigation Strategies.- Visualizing Uncertainty in Natural Hazards.- Perspectives on Visualizing Uncertainty in Natural Hazards.- Conclusion.

Sustainability: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives

... Salary Survey. Issues & Advocacy: Competency - Raise The Bar; Disaster Preparedne... more ... Salary Survey. Issues & Advocacy: Competency - Raise The Bar; Disaster Preparedness & Response; Get Involved; Government Relations; Infrastructure; ... Transportation Facilities in Mid-America. ... Part of: Optimizing Post-Earthquake Lifeline System Reliability. ...

The earthquake hazard in mid-America is characterized by large, but infrequent events. As a resul... more The earthquake hazard in mid-America is characterized by large, but infrequent events. As a result, the level of seismic building design and retrofit is generally thought to be lower than in many other seismically active regions, however the exact nature of the building stock is not known. In developing its research agenda the Mid-America Earthquake Center determined that an inventory of essential facilities in the region was part of the foundation needed to support its research efforts. Rather than focus on the entire building stock, we selected essential facilities as the most critical target for this initial investigation. Essential facilities are those facilities that must play an important role in the recovery period following an earthquake. They include hospitals, police and fire stations and schools, which often serve as emergency shelters. This report summarizes the analysis of 1306 essential facilities for which key structural characteristics were collected through telephon...

Presented on September 25, 2008 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Georgia Tech Architecture Libr... more Presented on September 25, 2008 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Georgia Tech Architecture Library.

An academic directory and search engine.

Historically urban planners have been educated and trained to work in a data poor environment. Ur... more Historically urban planners have been educated and trained to work in a data poor environment. Urban planning students take courses in statistics, survey research and projection and estimation that are designed to fill in the gaps in this environment. For decades they have learned how to use census data, which is comprehensive on several basic variables, but is only conducted once per decade so is almost always out of date. More detailed population characteristics are based on a sample and are only available in aggregated form for larger geographic areas.