Dr. Kristin Agnello, DSocSci, RPP, MCIP, RHFAC
Founder and Director
PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW
With a multidisciplinary background in international development, architecture, planning, and urban design, Kristin brings a balanced understanding of the relationship between research, design, policy, regulation, education, and implementation to her work. Her ability to integrate community dynamics, political environments, and economic realities has enabled her to create and implement practical solutions to a variety of development challenges.
With a strong background in government, policy, and social planning, Kristin has a particular interest in researching and developing policies, procedures, and evaluation systems that advance equitable, sustainable development objectives locally, nationally, and globally. She is a Registered Professional Planner, a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and has held senior leadership roles nationally and internationally, including Vice President (Canada) of the Commonwealth Association of Planners and inaugural Chair of the Commonwealth Women in Planning Network. Her work has been advanced at the UN Commission on the Status of Women and World Design Summits. Kristin firmly believes that public and private interests must work in unison to move from compliance to leadership in creating inclusive, equitable, and sustainable environments.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Social Sciences with Distinction
Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Vanier Scholar (2021-2024)
- Chancellor’s Medal Recipient for highest academic performance
- Dissertation: In her place: Addressing women’s equity through evidence-based
planning practice
Rick Hansen Foundation Certified Accessibility Professional (2025)
Professional Certificate in International Development
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Master of Arts in Urban Design with Distinction
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) with Distinction
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
AWARDS AND HONOURS
2024: Royal Roads University Chancellor’s Medal for Highest Academic Achievement
2024: Planning Institute of British Columbia’s (PIBC) “Gold Award for Research” for Home suite Home: Guidelines on how to add and manage a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit in British Columbia
2021: Named a Vanier Scholar for doctoral research
2021: Inducted into the Government of Canada’s Women of Impact gallery
2021: Member of the BC Council for International Cooperation’s Delegation to the 65th UN Commission on the Status of Women
2021: Canadian Institute of Planner’s (CIP) “Award of Excellence for Research” for Child in the City: Planning Communities for Children and their Families (book)
2021: Planning Institute of British Columbia’s (PIBC) “Silver Award for Research” for Child in the City: Planning Communities for Children and their Families (book)
2021: Plassurban named “Most Outstanding Planning & Urban Design Consultancy 2021 – Vancouver Island” by Corp Today Magazine
2020: Member of the BC Council for International Cooperation’s Delegation to the 64th UN Commission on the Status of Women
2020: Shortlisted for a Trudeau Doctoral Fellowship
2019: Zero to One Hundred: Planning for an Aging Population (book) named to the Canadian Institute of Planners’ Top 100 for 100 Book List, which names the top 100 books on planning as submitted by professionals across Canada
2019: Canadian Institute of Planners’ Award of Merit for Planning Publications and Media for Zero to One Hundred: Planning for an Aging Population (book)
2019: Named Vancouver Island’s Best Planning & Urban Design Consultancy by Corporate Vision (CV) Magazine
2019: Nominated for the Canada-wide “Top 40 Under 40” Award
2018: Named one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Women for work toward gender equality
in the built environment and planning profession
2018: Named a Teach SDGs Ambassador
2018: Received the Planning Institute of British Columbia Gold Award for Research for Zero to One Hundred: Planning for an Aging Population (book)
2018: Canadian Institute of Planners Plan Canada Best Article Honourable Mention Award for Best Article “Strollers and Scooters: Perspectives of a Millennial Planner Living in a Retirement Community”
2018: Nominated for World Bank SDGs and Her Award for Entrepreneurs working toward advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
2017: Third Place in the “Unbuild the Wall” International Design Competition and the only Canadian entry to place in the top ten
2017: Nominated for the Vancouver Island “Top 20 Under 40” Award
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
AUGUST 2015 – PRESENT: DIRECTOR
PLASSURBAN PLANNING + DESIGN
• Served as the Strategic Lead for the PIBC Peer Learning Network, which supports practitioners navigating the new suite of Provincial housing legislation in British Columbia
• Researched and produced a set of guidelines and associated communications materials on building and managing secondary suites to accompany the Province of British Columbia’s new housing legislation.
• Drafted a revised Housing Needs Assessment for the District of Highlands, in compliance with new provincial legislative requirements
• Developed technical illustrations demonstrating the application of Building Code and CSA accessibility requirements for the British Columbia Building Access Handbook.
• Authored Child in the City: Planning Communities for Children and their Families, a book exploring the relationship between policy, design, education, and social outcomes.
•South Vancouver Island Chapter Coordinator for the BC Council for International Cooperation, responsible for managing and supporting the Island Chapter and its member civil society and non profit organizations, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and liaising with the Planning Institute of BC and other professional organizations.
• Invited speaker at the “Future of Planning” conversation, hosted by the Canadian Institute of Planners in Ottawa, ON (January 2019).
• Invited speaker at the African Planning Conference, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, October 14-16, 2018.
• Invited guest lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, speaking about Ambient Belonging and the intersection between gender and the built environment, October 19, 2018
• Authored Zero to One Hundred: Planning for an Aging Population, a book on inclusive planning which was awarded a gold medal for research by the Planning Institute of BC
• Authored numerous articles in regional and national planning journals, on topics surrounding the SDGs and planning for vulnerable populations.
• Designed all publication and promotional materials for the International CAP Awards, including the Call for Submissions, promotional posters, logos, and award certificates
• Illustrated two of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for use by the BC Council for International Cooperation during International Development Week and at the UN High Level Political Forum in New York
• Developed a Strategic Planning Framework for the design and development of a model rural secondary school campus in rural Ghana for 1200 students on behalf of the Nka Foundation, an NGO based in Ghana
• Completed an editorial review of an industry report on guidelines for sustainable urbanization on behalf of UN-Habitat
• Created maps and technical planning reports to document villages, schools, clinics, dispensaries and areas with girls at high risk of FGM for use by governments, aid organizations and NGOs on behalf of the Tanzania Development Trust, a UK-based NGO
• Worked as a “critical friend” for a number of municipalities and organizations in the United Kingdom; reviewing plans, policies and design proposals
AUGUST 2018 – JUNE 2021 INAUGURAL CHAIR
COMMONWEALTH WOMEN IN PLANNING NETWORK
• Authored the unprecedented Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto, gathering input and support from 35 women in 11 countries, as well as UN-Habitat, UN-Women, Women in Cities International, Women in Planning (UK), and Women Transforming Cities. The manifesto has been fully endorsed by the Commonwealth Association of Planners and 7 international planning organizations
• Built a community of practice in support of women’s equity across 14 Commonwealth countries
• Attended three world design summits to advance the consideration of women’s equity in urban policy
• Co-led the development of a Commonwealth-wide women’s mentorship network
• Developed a theory of change, including the creation of a collaborative Action Plan
MAY 2017 – APRIL 2021 VICE-PRESIDENT (CANADA)
COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF PLANNERS
• Responsible for representing the interests of Canadian planners on the Commonwealth Association of Planners Executive Committee
• Twice served as a jury member for the Commonwealth Planning Awards
• Negotiated and ratified the unprecedented Montreal Design Declaration, which proclaims the role of planning and design in creating a sustainable future for all
• Authored a chapter in the Commonwealth Association of Planners’ 50th Anniversary Retrospective book
• Supported relationships and the development of a community of practice with planning and civil society organizations, including UN Habitat, UN Women, Design Council UK, Oxford Brookes University, World Design Summit organizers, Women in Cities International, and Women Transforming Cities
• Participated in international research on sustainable urban development through the Prince’s Trust
JANUARY 2016 – DECEMBER 2016: PLANNER AND URBAN DESIGNER
STANTEC CONSULTING LTD.
• Authored a 25-year master plan and policy framework for the redevelopment of Ogden Point, a 37 hectare working harbour and Canada’s busiest port of call, including proposed amendments to the City of Victoria’s Official Community Plan and the creation of a new, site specific zoning bylaw
• Provided reviews and recommendations of rezoning and development applications on behalf of the Victoria International Airport
• Created technical drawings and diagrams for a zoning bylaw amendment for the Town of Ladysmith, British Columbia
JUNE 2011 – DECEMBER 2013: PRINCIPAL URBAN DESIGNER/ PRINCIPAL PLANNER II
OCTOBER 2008 – JUNE 2011: URBAN DESIGNER/PLANNER I
CITY OF EDMONTON, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
• Reviewed and provided guidance on land development applications, re-zoning applications, façade improvements, architectural controls, and form-based codes for new, existing, and heritage buildings and districts
• Organized and facilitated consultation events with the public, stakeholders, design professionals and Government Administration on the creation of visions, plans, policies and guidelines, including extensive experience dealing with competing interests, multiple governing bodies (municipal and provincial), lobby groups, and mediation
• Chair of the 2013 Edmonton Urban Design Awards Program
• Created strategic urban design visions, plans, policies, studies and guidelines for Edmonton’s neighbourhoods, development parcels, and heritage areas
• Coordinated the Percent for Art Program in collaboration with the Edmonton Arts Council
• Member of various committees, including the Façade Improvement Committee, Planning Advisory Committee, and Business Revitalization Zone Advisory Committee
• Taught the Urban Design Elective for the City of Edmonton’s Planning Academy
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) with the Planning Institute of British Columbia
• Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP)
• Rick Hansen Foundation Certified Accessibility Professional