Faculty Profile

Dr. Johnson's research focuses on architecture and environmental planning and design in Africa with a regional specialization in the Horn of Africa. Synthesizing multiple approaches, her work integrates perspectives and methodologies from architecture, anthropology, African studies, environment-behavior studies, history, sociology and urban planning. She is particularly interested in practically and epistemologically strengthening the linkages between architectural theory, research and utilization through the use of pattern language. Her research employs interdisciplinary exploratory focus and ethnography to create measures for environment-behavior research in Africa. With the goal of generating sustainable change in urban/built environments while enhancing community social relationships and noting the importance of both traditional and modern ways of life by recognizing the critical roles rural connections continue to play in people’s lives. Her teaching and interests include pattern language, architecture, culture and society, environmental planning and design in non-western areas, culturally specific design and supportive environments, space and place, rural/urban gender issues, material culture and socio-spatial dynamics, traditional architectural technologies, building and settlements, sustainable urban and rural development, impact of HIV/AIDS, African architectural history, urban planning and policy, rural-urban networks and systems in Africa and qualitative and quantitative methodologies. A Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Architecture, Dr. Johnson looks forward to continuing her research and teaching. This research program includes completion of the pattern language identified in her dissertation and consists of: (1) a preliminary investigation into the characteristics, modes and elements of resiliency practiced among ordinary residents living in Addis Ababa; (2) an examination of the history of architecture, urbanism, rural-urban networks and systems and environmental design in Ethiopia and how it interplays and intersects with: A. residents notions of urban aesthetics, cultural readings of the urban landscape and understandings of space and place—and how these ideas intersect, differ or mirror that of trained urban design professionals practicing within the country’s cities and (3) the initiation of a collaborative study of the education of urban design professionals, architects and practitioners in Africa. Dr. Johnson has conducted extensive fieldwork in Somaliiland and Ethiopia and was awarded a 2002-2003 Fulbright Scholarship (Ethiopia) to complete her dissertation research. She earned her Ph.D. in Architecture (environment-behavior studies) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee specializing in culturally specific design and supportive environments. Her dissertation “Reshaping Urban Environments in Ethiopia: Exploring Life Through the Use of Space in Four Addis Ababa Kebeles,” argues African cities are readable entities articulating distinct socio-spatial knowledge embedded in residents’ everyday realities and actions. Epistemologically building on Christopher Alexander’s (1977) seminal work, A Pattern Language, it identifies 49 patterns, 13 of which were developed in the dissertation. She introduces a pattern language for environmental planning and design in Ethiopia with a special emphasis on Addis Ababa as a guide to reshaping the city and establishing a common vision for shared issues impacting other urban areas. Special attention is paid to the integration of participants’ socio-spatial narratives and identified needs which result in specific policy recommendations and project proposals which enhance residents’ quality of life and support the identified patterns.