Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning • Toronto Metropolitan University
Bio
Kaitlin graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning. Through her undergraduate, she learned a lot of theory and practical knowledge about the planning process, livability, and growth management of urban areas. She specifically enjoyed environmental courses where she learned about ecology, climate change, resiliency, and urban stress placed on ecosystems.
Kaitlin’s academic interests led her to pursue projects and work associated with environmental protection, policy, and promotion. She worked as a Research and Policy Intern with the Greenbelt Foundation, which helped her understand how policy influences environmental health. She wrote a report on Halton Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review process and actions for conformity to the Growth Plan. It involved analyzing policies to ensure that intensification was being planned effectively. Kaitlin also worked as a Tree Steward and Urban Forester with the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association, which gave her an understanding of the types of trees that grow and survive in Southern Ontario. The purpose was to collect tree canopy data to understand the relationship between the natural and built environment.
After exploring her interests, she decided she wanted to specialize in environmental planning. Kaitlin wants to develop a better understanding of sustainability to ensure that she makes smart decisions that will improve the wellbeing of communities. She believes sustainability can teach us new perspectives and ways to deal with complex problems in a variety of contexts. Her goal is to enhance her current knowledge and skills to inspire environmental action and welfare throughout her career.
In her free time, she loves doing outdoor activities like biking, hiking, swimming, and snowboarding. She also likes expressing her creativity through drawing and painting. After playing competitive volleyball for six years, she has become an assistant coach for her old rep team.