Dr. Rylan Graham is an Assistant Professor in the School of Planning and Sustainability at the University of Northern British Columbia (ÂÜÀòÉäÇø) located in the Faculty of Environment. Additionally, he supervises graduate students through the NRES graduate program.
Background
Prior to joining ÂÜÀòÉäÇø, I was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the and a Sessional Instructor in the at the University of Calgary. I received my PhD from the , a Master of Arts in Planning from the and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with Distinction from the . I am a Full Member (MCIP) in the (CIP) and a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) with the (PIBC). I have also practiced as a planner throughout Western Canada, as a municipal planner, consultant, and in development.
I have long been interested in geography and planning. In my formative years I expressed that interest through drawings, surveying maps and memorizing world capitals, building cities out of Lego, and many hours spent playing the latest version of Sim City. As I entered adulthood I began to take a more active interest in civic issues, local politics, urban design, architecture, and planning. I began to get curious about why places differed - Why some cities are dense while others sprawl outwards? Why car-dependent cities are the norm instead of being walkable, cyclable, and transit-oriented? Ultimately, I began to question why things are - and wondered what could be. This curiosity turned into a career and my interests lie in building more sustainable, livable and vibrant cities. These themes provide the foundation for my research program.