Emma is an urban planner, researcher, and storyteller with a multidisciplinary background in anthropology, journalism, and design.
She leads communications and research projects at Happy Cities, translating evidence 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 communications are both accessible and engaging, distilling complex planning concepts into creative graphics, stories, and reports.
At Happy Cities, Emma has worked on a wide range of public engagement, policy, and research projects. She has led post-occupancy evaluations of residential, community, and commercial buildings, and produced design guidelines and master plans for new housing and neighbourhoods. She brings experience working with municipalities across North America—all the way from St. Petersburg, Florida to Vancouver, British Columbia.
Emma completed a master’s degree in Urban Geography at McGill University, where she conducted federally funded research on new master-planned eco-cities with the New Cities Lab. She previously worked as a consultant for active mobility and best-practice bicycle infrastructure.
Cohousing communities reveal the benefits of supportive, multigenerational neighbours—showing that apartment living doesn’t have to be lonely or isolating.