Neil Loewen
Neil Loewen is an Urban Planner working at Urban Strategies in Toronto and teaching regularly at TMU SURP. He has a Master's degree in Planning from TMU (2016), a Bachelor of Environmental Design specializing in Landscape + Urbanism from the University of Manitoba (2013), and professional experience in development approvals, transportation planning, and campus planning.
At SURP, Neil’s master's research concerned policy pathways to support the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in urban design in Winnipeg. As an instructor, he has taught several courses with a focus on the design of urban environments and professional communication skills. These courses include PLG520 Planning Studio (undergraduate), PL8100 Physical Planning & Design Fundamentals (graduate), PLE555/PL8316 Site Planning (mixed), and the PLG731 undergraduate field study in Pittsburgh.
As a practicing Registered Professional Planner at Urban Strategies, Neil has extensive experience in development approvals and transportation planning and has also been involved in planning research and public engagement through a variety of projects.
Neil has played a key role on studies for the Eglinton West LRT and Eglinton East LRT, as well as the Union Station Rail Corridor East Pedestrian & Cycling Connectivity Study. He also contributed to Metrolinx’s update to the GO Station Access Plan and has worked on station-specific access plans.
Neil has also led approvals processes for several complex developments, such as Quadreal’s redevelopment of Cloverdale Mall, First Gulf’s 200 Front Street, Concord Park Place in North York, comprehensive planning for the future of Ontario Place, and multiple residential tower approvals for GWL Realty Advisors in downtown Mississauga. He has worked with the City of Burnaby, British Columbia in the comprehensive rewrite of their municipal zoning bylaw.
He was part of the Princeton University 2026 Campus Master Plan and has worked on campus planning for Brock University. Internationally, Neil has played an important role in the Campus Vibrancy Master Plan for Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and contributed to the Surface Streets competition submission for Singapore’s North-South Corridor project.
As a member of SURP’s alumni, Neil has been involved in many volunteer opportunities, including as Chair of the School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association (2019-2021) and current host of SURPA’s Plannerama podcast. Walkable neighbourhoods, independent coffee shops, and public bike share systems are a few of Neil’s favourite things.