Gail M. Hansen

Assistant Professor

Environmental Horticulture Dept.
University of Florida
Rm. 101 Bldg. 550, PO Box 110675
Gainesville FL 32611-0675

Phone: (352) 273-4506
Fax: (352) 392-1413
E-mail: ghansen@ufl.edu

Curriculum Vitae (98.8KB pdf)

Gail Hansen is an assistant professor who specializes in landscape design. Her teaching and extension programs address best design practices for residential and urban landscape design, with a focus on landscape design that is sustainable, functional, and aesthetic. Gail graduated with a masters degree in landscape architecture from the University of Florida and worked for a private landscape architecture firm in Gainesville, Florida for eight years.

She returned to UF to teach design in the landscape architecture department as adjunct faculty for seven years. She is currently teaching a studio course in residential landscape design and working toward developing a comprehensive landscape design program.

Professional Background

Education

• Ph.D. Landscape Architecture (Univ. FL), 2008
• M. Landscape Architecture (Univ. FL), 1994
• M.S. Exercise Physiology (Univ. Arizona, Tucson), 1981
• B.A. Phys. Ed.(California State Univ. Sacramento), 1978

Teaching

Courses in landscape design focus on the elements and principles of design and the best use of plant material to create designs that are sustainable, functional and aesthetic. The topics cover the importance of an accurate site analysis, using the right plant in the right place, the design development process, and final presentation graphics.

Research and Extension Focus

Extension research and publications focus on landscape design as it relates to quality of life issues both for people and the environment. Topics include design practices and principles that affect mental, physical, and financial health of citizens and the ecological health of the environment. Areas of investigation include: sustainable design for homeowners, site analysis, visual quality and aesthetic preferences, landscape design codes and guidelines, landscape design software programs, and health as it relates to the built environment.

Research Projects

Doctoral Dissertation: Design Codes for Healthy Communities: The Potential of Form-Based Codes to Create Walkable Urban Streets. Focus is on the urban design qualities of walkable streets and the use of Form-Based codes to develop a pedestrian-oriented environment. April 2008
FRSA Earl Blank Fellowship (Co-PI, Tony White, Architecture) Teaching Modules for Green Roof Systems, October 2005

Non-Refereed Grant Publications

1. Hansen, G., Perez, K.*, and Momol, E. 2012. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Pattern Book. 2012. University of Florida, IFAS Information and Communication Services. SP 478
2. Hansen, G. 2012. When Students Design Learning Landscapes: Designing for Experiential Learning through Experiential Learning. NACTA/DOCE Journal. 56:30-34
3. Hansen, G., Sewards, J., Almeida, R.*, and Dunn, A.* (2012) Design and Implementation of Edible Plant Demonstration Gardens: A Case Study of the Putnam County Extension Edible Garden. ENH1205. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep466.
4. Hansen, G. & Niemann, B. (2012) Design Considerations for a Florida-Friendly Demonstration Landscape: A case Study for Student and Extension Volunteer Involvement. ENH1199 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep460.