David Cooper: Career advancement to the next level with TMU’s one-year Master of Planning degree

David Cooper is the founder and principal of Leading Mobility, a transportation planning firm that consults on transformative mobility projects across North America. Since 2005, he built a career centred around transportation and transit planning, focusing on how transit intersects with housing, equity, safety, and affordability.

He held senior public-sector roles in three major Canadian cities — Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto — and has been recognized with awards from organizations such as the Canadian Institute of Planners, and the Canadian Urban Transit Association.

Cooper also teaches client-based studios and lectures on transportation policy at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning, and has taught planning at the University of Toronto and University of Calgary.

He recently discussed how TMU’s accelerated one-year Master of Planning in Urban Development enhanced both his skills and new pathways for his career.

You were already a RPP. Why did you decide to pursue a master’s degree?

I bridge practice and academia in transportation planning, working on projects that connect both worlds. Having both a RPP and graduate degree has opened teaching opportunities and provided a further competitive edge in the job market, particularly in my specialization. It has enabled me to contribute meaningfully to both professional practice and academic discourse.

How did the program enhance your skills and career progression?

The program strengthened my project management and research skills, opening pathways to higher-level employment. For example, as part of the program’s Major Research Project, I traveled to Portland, Oregon, to collaborate with TriMet, the city’s transit agency. I worked directly with their staff on an organizational review to enhance employee engagement and transit service delivery.

Who would you recommend TMU’s 1-year accelerated program to?

This program is well suited for working planning professionals seeking to upskill their education in a shorter format. It also offers the rare opportunity to pursue independent research in an area of your choice — something seldom possible in the working world.

How did scheduling work for you during the one-year program?

Working full time while studying full time was not feasible, as classes are scheduled during the traditional 9–5 workday. However, I was fortunate to have an understanding employer who allowed me to work three days a week during the fall and winter semesters.