What makes you passionate about planning?

I am very excited and passionate about Indigenous planning. It’s a small but mighty field and I am inspired by the conviction and strength of Indigenous planning scholars, especially their work to uplift Indigenous planning traditions which existed long before colonization.

Tell us about a project you are working on and why it excites you.

I’m currently working on the “Transforming Cities from Within” project (link), which focuses on the transformative potential of public sector innovation at the intersection of equity, climate change and decolonization in Canadian cities. I am excited about this applied research because it allows me to collaborate with a diverse and brilliant research team and I have the opportunity to witness and facilitate connections between city staff and partner organizations across Canada.

What do you think the most important challenge will be for planners in the future?

Planners (especially non-Indigenous planners) will be challenged by the learning and unlearning required to decolonize planning and meaningfully contribute to reconciliation efforts in Canada. As planners, we will have to let go of long held assumptions and uplift Indigenous knowledges and planning traditions in order to foster good relationships with Indigenous peoples, Nations and communities.

What are you most excited about at your planning school?

Honestly, so many things are exciting to me! I’m incredibly thankful for the past work of my colleagues at SCARP - particularly the creation of the Indigenous Community Planning concentration - and really hopeful about the future of the School. We have so many thoughtful and passionate students each year who care deeply about contributing to a more just world for all.

Please tell us about a place or plan that has been influential to you.

My hometown of Sudbury, Ontario, was and continues to be hugely influential to me. I was fortunate to grow up close to family, good friends, and I spent a lot of time in nature – whether it was fishing, swimming or skating. Being from Sudbury has taught me valuable lessons in humility, empathy and the power of a good sense of humour.

What makes you passionate about planning?

I turned to planning because I was searching for a way to apply my critical knowledge practically and effectively. I see planning as being fundamentally about taking action to improve the lived experience of people in built environments. I passionately believe collaborative planning processes can be a means to create alternate futures that address the inequities which continue to exclude the majority.

Tell us about a project you are working on and why it excites you.

I am excited to be a part of the Planning, Engineering and Emerging Technologies Research Team, with my supervisor Maggie Low, as we support Indigenous well-being in First Nations across British Columbia through sustainable energy infrastructure projects. I am excited to translate research into meaningful action in multiple realms (policy, sustainability, engineering, infrastructure…) and am inspired that we can advance First Nations’ own identified interests and research questions, and work to support their aspirations.

What do you think the most important challenge will be for planners in the future?

While planners are well positioned to address many contemporary crises, I feel our most important challenge lies in how we mobilize public engagement and collaboration to address those crises. As we appreciate that engaging with publics is imperative to good planning, the next big question is ‘What does a good engagement process look like?’. To respond to crises in ways that address systemic colonialism and inequity, we fundamentally need effective methods of engaging with publics.

What are you most excited about at your planning school?

Since joining UBC SCARP I have been most excited about the opportunities for collaborative learning with peers. Our school welcomes passionate, generative thinkers who continue to challenge my thinking, and push me to be a better human being and scholar.

Please Tell us about a place or plan that has been influential to you.

During my master’s degree research on social urbanism in Medellín, Colombia, I was inspired by the power of collaborative and iterative planning processes in reconciling social and political conflicts in the built environment. I saw the joy that could be fostered in public spaces when planners listen and attend to the needs of the public and my time in Medellín continues to propel me in advocating for alternate models of engagement in municipalities here in Canada.