Alumna Spotlight: Samreen Sultan (Urban Development ’25)
Before immigrating to Canada, Samreen Sultan (Urban Development ’25) already had a strong foundation in planning. She held a master’s degree in Urban Regeneration, an undergraduate degree in Architecture, and experience working in private, public and academic planning environments on projects spanning development, policy research and teaching.
In pursuit of Canadian certification as a Registered Planner, Sultan pursued her second master’s degree at TMU, enrolling in the Master of Planning (MPl) two-year stream. Within months of graduation, she landed her first Canadian planning role as Planner with the City of Niagara.
What excites you about your new role with the City of Niagara?
I’m excited to work in a municipality that’s now experiencing significant growth and complex planning challenges — from environmental systems and tourism to local economic development and a new incoming Official Plan. It’s a unique opportunity to contribute to policy-making and long-term planning for a region with many interconnected layers. I couldn’t have asked for a better time to join!
What challenges did you initially face as an internationally-trained planner?
It was exciting but challenging. Translating my international planning experience into the Canadian context took time, and rebuilding my professional network from scratch was difficult. Planning is a small world where connections matter. So, not having those initially made it harder to find opportunities and get my foot in the door
How did TMU help you reestablish your career in Canada?
The master’s program helped me take the right steps at the right time. My development planning internship at Bousfields (external link) and the research experience I gained with the City of Toronto strengthened my policy and planning skills. I gained the confidence to articulate my ideas clearly, think critically, and become a detail-oriented yet big-picture planner.
Supportive faculty members — who were both public- and private-sector professionals — offered guidance and mentorship that shaped my direction. Their insights, combined with hands-on exposure and mentorship from peers, played a major role in helping me secure my first public-sector role quickly.
”I loved TMU’s collaborative environment. The mentorship and constructive feedback helped me understand my strengths and growth areas. I became a more reflective professional with stronger skills to contribute meaningfully in team settings.”
Why did you choose TMU’s two-year master’s stream?
TMU’s downtown location, hands-on curriculum, and strong industry connections made it the perfect fit. The program combines practical, market-ready training with solid research components.
In particular, the mandatory internship was a game changer! It gave me my first development planning experience and exposure to City of Toronto projects. The mix of opportunities, mentorship, and networks helped me transition smoothly into the Canadian planning field.
What area did your master’s research focus on?
I worked as a planning research assistant with professor Yemi Adediji on a City of Toronto project on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). We explored CPTED in vulnerable communities, examining transit stops and strategies to improve safety. I later focused on this area for my program’s major research paper (MRP).
This gave me valuable exposure to transportation planning department of the city, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with partners such as Toronto Police Services. It will definitely be useful in my new role with the City of Niagara.
Find out more about TMU's one-year and two-year Master of Planning (MPl) in Urban Development.