Amit is an architect and city planner deeply committed to making inclusive cities of opportunity and human connection. Motivated by his vision of urban places that promote climate resiliency and social equity, Amit has led the design of diverse complex city-shaping projects throughout his career. At DIALOG, Amit collaborates with clients, colleagues and community members on projects ranging from urban design guidelines for gently incorporating density into existing neighbourhoods; mixed-use and mixed-income transit oriented places; social housing for vulnerable communities; an aging campus for a spectrum of seniors; a student housing master plan; a tactical urbanism concept for a laneway; and high density residential projects that help expand housing choices in constrained markets. Amit brings a thoughtful attitude, creative problem solving, team leadership, great communication, a visionary perspective, and a balanced approach to every design challenge.
Viewing city-building as a holistic effort that requires the careful and creative integration of the public realm, buildings, infrastructure, programming, and landscape to make loved and valued places, Amit brings expertise in urban design and planning, architectural design, community engagement, storytelling, design strategy and process, and team management to every project. Through the facilitation of open, positive, and constructive conversations, Amit helps the best ideas rise to the surface in a compelling, engaging and respectful way. He believes that great cities are about starting from a place of optimism, building meaningful connections between people, and providing ways for everyone to better their lives through educational and work opportunities. Design is one of many tools to make these things happen, and Amit is happy to provide leadership and contribute to any efforts that help reach these goals.
Amit’s ideas and award-winning projects have been shared widely through speaking engagements, interviews, and publications. Having worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, St. Louis and Johannesburg, Amit believes in design approaches rooted in place. He has won or been on the winning teams for several international design competitions and has served as a Design Advisor at the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, as well as the national board president of Architects Designers Planners for Social Responsibility.
Andrew is an urban and town planning professional with experience stretching from Asia’s global megacities to urban Canada and its smallest maritime communities. His career has focused on formulating and articulating development visions for public and private sector clients and justifying those visions through government policy support and sound land use planning justifications. Across all scales, he strives to find cross-disciplinary and innovative yet pragmatic land-use solutions for clients. Andrew undertakes strategic planning and policy studies, development and planning approval applications, and municipal zoning and bylaw reviews. His extraordinary skills and diligence in working with a wide range of stakeholders (clients, consultants, City staff, government agencies, and the general public) through a collaborative process are known for resulting in successful outcomes.
Khatereh is a passionate urban and landscape designer who strives to make the world a better place to live, work, and play. Her work on neighbourhood and master plans, parks, and public realm projects integrates urban design, landscape design, and architecture. Khatereh tackles challenging urban conditions with a critical, pragmatic and interdisciplinary approach rooted in extensive design knowledge. Her ability to generate creative and innovative designs in a team environment leads to mutually beneficial solutions for stakeholders with diverging interests. As a project manager, Khatereh’s communication skills and analytical, detailed-oriented style enable her to solve problems of all scales while keeping projects on time and budget. With her infectious enthusiasm, she builds strong client relationships and interdisciplinary teams. Khatereh sits on the board for the Ontario Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), is a member of the OALA Recognition Awards committee (HAP), and is involved in the OALA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force.
Chelsea is an urban planner, project manager and facilitator whose work addresses all aspects of urbanism today. Her portfolio spans traditional policy development, broad-scale master planning, urban design, sustainable urban integration, and public engagement. With a design ethos based on supporting the dynamic relationships between process, people and place, Chelsea believes that exploring the context of a problem is the first step to creating thoughtful, responsive, and resilient design solutions. Among notable projects she has worked on recently are Kinistinâw Park—a gathering place in the heart of The Quarters in downtown Edmonton—and the MacEwan University Campus Master Plan—a 25-year road map for the future development of the University’s buildings and grounds.
Chelsea is a member of the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) and Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). In her dedication to strengthening the planning profession in Alberta and giving back to the industry, Chelsea has served as an APPI council member and is a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta.
As a senior planner in the DIALOG Edmonton office, Belinda helps communities craft a vision for their future and plan for positive change. From emerging and mature neighbourhood projects to greenfields and large mixed-use developments, Belinda approaches her work with a blend of placemaking practices and experiential knowledge. Her forte is master planning and policy implementation for transit-oriented, high-density infill developments. She applies that expertise to complex projects like the Mill Woods Town Centre Redevelopment and Station Lands in Downtown Edmonton. In addition to collaborating with and managing large interdisciplinary teams of consultants and stakeholders, she works closely with municipal staff, political leaders, and community groups to build consensus and earn support and approvals. In leading community engagement events, Belinda merges her skills and training from the International Association of Public Participation Certificate program.
“I only have one lifetime to change the world – to meaningfully improve the wellbeing of communities. I want to make it count. I believe that how we build our cities, communities, buildings, can be part of the solution. And, that the enterprise of city-building requires both engaged collaboration and vision. It’s through dialogue that meaningful understanding is generated and takes root. It’s through imagination and innovation that the conversation moves forward.”
As one of DIALOG’s partners, Antonio’s career has been built at the intersection of design disciplines. As DIALOG Chair, his mission is to leverage the collective creativity and innovation within DIALOG to continue delivering design solutions to the many challenges we face globally – from climate change and equity to social wellbeing.
“I’ve built a career working alongside communities, municipalities, developers, universities, and institutions who look at the challenges in the world and imagine we can be better. Together we create a road map to realize the vision – a master plan, a deep-retrofit building, a walkable street.”
Antonio’s project work has spanned communities from Halifax to Victoria, from Iqaluit to Mérida. A common thread has been the integration of diverse perspectives, through a creative process, for purpose-driven outcomes. As a result, Antonio is internationally recognized for creating transformational and vibrant urban spaces that support their social, economic, and environmental context.
“At DIALOG, we have a foundation of creative, innovative practitioners. Our best work is done collaboratively, with clients and communities that are asking challenging, purpose-driven questions.”
Antonio is frequently called upon to lead conversations on how the design of the built environment can contribute to community wellbeing. He has acted as chair of the Toronto Society of Architects and Vaughan’s Design Review Panel. Antonio is active on several research and advocacy groups, including the Rethinking Rental Roundtable and Planning Research Advisory Committee with CMHC-SCHL and the Advisory Committee for HealthyDesign.city. He became a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada College in 2018, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the design community.
Antonio is also a frequently sought-after speaker for expert panels, keynote presentations, workshops, and guest commentaries. Learn more about Antonio’s past and present engagements.