Profile

Loren Lutzenhiser, Ph.D
Professor of Urban Studies and Planning
Fellow of the Institute for Sustainable Solutions

B.A. 1971 (sociology) University of Montana; M.A. 1976 (sociology) University of Montana; Ph.D. 1988 (sociology) University of California, Davis.

Dr. Lutzenhiser's teaching interests include environmental policy and practice, energy behavior and climate, technological change, urban environmental sustainability, and social research methods. His own research focuses on the environmental impacts of socio-technical systems, particularly how urban energy/resource use is linked to global environmental change. Particular studies have considered variations across households in energy consumption practices, how energy-using goods are procured by government agencies, how commercial real estate markets work to develop both poorly-performing and environmentally exceptional buildings, and how the "greening" of business, may (or may not) be influenced by local sustainability movements and business actors. He recently completed a major study for the California Energy Commission reporting on the behavior of households, businesses and governments in the aftermath of that state's 2001 electricity deregulation crisis. He is currently exploring the relationships between household natural gas, electricity, gasoline, and water usage.

Lutzenhiser is widely published in social science, policy, and applied journals. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a local anti-poverty program director and regional social program planner. He is a past chair of the American Sociological Association's Section on Environment and Technology.

Professor Lutzenhiser's contact information:

Office: Urban Center, room 370S

Phone: (503) 725.8743

E-mail: llutz@pdx.edu