Welcome to
My Urban Curious Blog:
Authoritative, Affectionate, and Occasionally Absurd
I have been writing about cities, urban design, and the quirks of how people live together for more than twenty-five years. Some of that writing has been technical, or professional. Some has been quirky, or heartfelt. Some has been—let’s be honest here—slightly absurd, usually after an unusually strong espresso.
PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home… From Stockholm
Planning West Magazine: Fall 2023
This article captures a city planner’s journey through Stockholm, experiencing Sweden’s unique balance of urban design, social equity, and cultural principles. Through encounters with everyday city scenes, public spaces, and even Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, I explore how Sweden’s social policies, parental leave, and gender equity deeply influence its urban landscape.
Lives Lived: A Tribute to Beverly Grieve
By Lee-Ann Garnett, Emilie K. Adin, and Heather McNell
Planning West Magazine: Summer 2020
Long-time planning colleagues and friends Lee-Ann Garnett, Heather McNell, and I wrote a tribute to houser and planner extraordinaire, Bev Grieve, who sadly passed away in 2019 after a long and very brave battle with brain cancer.
Post-Mentorship: Where Are They Now and What Next?
Planning West Magazine: Spring 2022
Like many Registered Professional Planners (RPPs), I’m dedicated to giving back to the profession that has given me so much. Since my induction into the Institute, this has included mentoring "launching" planners. This article focuses on five of the over 20 people I have had the privilege to mentor.
PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home
Installment #13:
High-Tech Cycling Infrastructure
Planning West Magazine - Winter 2016
This article advocates for a more robust cycling infrastructure in British Columbia, highlighting the importance of promoting low-GHG transportation. Drawing inspiration from European cities, I explore both high-tech solutions — like Trondheim’s bike lift and Copenhagen’s Cycle Snake — and lower-cost alternatives like separated bike lanes.