Dr Tom Sanya (Arch., Planning & Geomatics)

Dr Tom Sanya is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning & Geomatics. His teaching and research activities are framed by ecosystem perspectives to focus on the sustainable design of the built environment. His academic pursuits are in low-energy design, water sensitive design, and ecological urbanism for human wellbeing, social justice and ecosystem vitality. In these endeavours, interdisciplinary collaboration with academic, professional and community constituencies are important. His current major research is the design of a low-cost Cape Town house that optimises health and sustainability goals. The project, which is funded by the UK Wellcome Trust, is in partnership with researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), University College London (UCL), and others in Mexico City and New Delhi. Tom is also an affiliate of the African Climate and Development Initiative at UCT.