Emma is an urban geographer, storyteller, and designer with a multidisciplinary background in anthropology, journalism, and urban planning.
She leads communications at Happy Cities, translating research and best practices into compelling stories that show the power of urban design in influencing human wellbeing. Her combination of urban planning and communications skills ensures our communications are both accessible and engaging, distilling complex planning concepts into creative graphics, stories, and reports.
Emma has worked to create happier and healthier communities through a wide range of public engagement, policy, and research projects at Happy Cities. She has completed urban planning, graphic design, and communications work for municipalities across North America—all the way from St. Petersburg, Florida to Vancouver, British Columbia. She brings expertise in consulting work on active mobility and best-practice bicycle infrastructure
Emma completed her Master’s degree in Urban Geography at McGill University, where she conducted federally-funded research on new master-planned smart and green cities with the New Cities Lab.
Projects Emma has worked on
Building social connections: Housing design policies to support wellbeing for all – Hey Neighbour Collective
Power of placemaking research and engagement – Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
Mary Anne’s Place community engagement and design audit – Placemaker Communities
Seniors Housing Strategy – City of Vancouver
Accessibility Plan – City of Regina
Dementia-inclusive planning and design guidelines – Simon Fraser University
My home, my neighbourhood wellbeing survey – Vancouver Coastal Health
Accessibility legislation engagement for Alberta – Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
Community wayfinding strategy – City of Richmond
Campus placemaking master plan – Zamorano University, Honduras
Community arts & culture framework – City of Fort St. John
Economic data visualization and communications – City of Rossland
Permanent patio program development and applicant guide – City of Richmond
Happy neighbours: Design and programming for social connection in multi-unit buildings
Social wellbeing in modular housing – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Uptown active transportation and public realm improvements – City of New Westminster
Crosstown Greenway: Youth-led placemaking for safer streets – City of New Westminster
Agnes Street Greenway activations – City of New Westminster
