I love to explore new places and get under the skin of what makes them tick.
Having been very fortunate to be able to travel with my job, I have experienced a diverse array of cities, countries and cultures. From addressing city scale issues in Istanbul, Dubai and Jeddah, to setting out regeneration opportunities in the South Wales valleys and Lowestoft’s harbour area, to negotiating planning applications in London. Every place has very unique challenges affecting it. Ultimately there are always very common goals around improving quality of life, prosperity, and resilience for the communities that live there.
As a Town Planner I have been able to develop skills around reading a place, from understanding the aesthetic of the streets, spaces and architecture, to understanding the economics, demographics and underlying environment. The most important skills a planner has is in bringing people together, sharing knowledge, understanding the challenges that places face, and what success looks like in driving optimism and long-term vision.
Over the past five years, I have had the great privilege in leading Prior + Partners’ work in AlUla, setting a framework for light-touch regeneration and cultural change, that is set within a magnificent cultural landscape. This has given me the opportunity to put my planning skills to the test, and it is a pleasure to see the vision being brought to life.