Portfolio

GILLIAN M COOPER

URBAN PLANNER

SUMMARY STATEMENT

Driven, detail-oriented planning and urban design professional. Highly motivated to apply graphic design knowledge
and critical thinking for the positive development of the urban realm. Experience applying diverse skills to solving
planning challenges. Experienced with multi-tasking balancing multiple projects while creating high quality work. One
of my current goals is to complete my RTPI professional accreditation. 

CONTACT RELATED EXPERIENCE
Phone
07946 603171 STANTEC CONSULTING UK, READING ENGLAND
Email URBAN PLANNER 06/19- PRESENT
[email protected] Following my transfer from Stantec Consulting, US, I continued to support my
Address US colleagues while creating connections between the US and newly acquired
Henley-on-Thames UK offices. Working in the Planning team in the former PBA head office, I
LinkedIn prepare and manage Planning submissions for a variety of developments,
www.linkedin.com/in/gill-m-cooper across the UK. In this role I have applied my background in housing studies
and GIS feeding into client studies which culminate in presenting a range
EDUCATION of housing site options for promotion. A key project I am responsible for is
University of Wisconsin- Madison the planning application for the environmental remediation of Queen Pool,
MSc, May 2018 Blenheim Palace. Centered in a world heritage site as well as a Site of Special
Department: Planning and Landscape Scientific Interest the management of this process was essential to its success.
Architecture Submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act material considerations
Concentration: Urban Design, for this submission included National Planning Policy, Local Planning Policy, as
Environmental Planning, GIS well as other supplementary plans. Coordination with internal teams as well
as other external consultants and statutory stakeholders is essential for the
University of Wisconsin- Madison continued success of this project.
BSc, May 2016
Department: Geography STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, FL USA
Concentration: People and Environments, URBAN PLANNER 08/18-06/19 
GIS/Cartography While working with Stantec US, I developed a range of planning policy
documents outlining the procedures and standards for the development of
SOFTWARE SKILLS connected sustainable communities in growing areas of South west Florida.
ArcGIS, QGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Developing these standards provided an exciting opportunity to redefine
SketchUp, WordPress, Qualtrics, Survey outdated practices in order to enable good design and encourage resilient and
Monkey, Microsoft Office 365 (Word, sustainable development that fostered a strong sense of community. During
Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook email and this time, I prepared submission packages for rezone and special exception
calendar functions, MS teams, Planner); cases across the region, for a range of residential, non-residential schemes,
including master planned communities. I completed due diligence research on
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS development sites working with multidisciplinary teams across Stantec offices.
RTPI* Internally, I applied my design and GIS skills to ensure our bids and documents
RTPI Thames Valley Young Planners stood out from the crowed.
Network
Women in Planning- Thames Valley CITY OF REDWOOD CITY, CA
American Planning Association COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INTERN 05/17-08/17
Congress for New Urbanism Working for Redwood City, California I guided community members and
Women in Geography- University of developers through city entitlement processes, such as permit applications
Wisconsin and zoning review. Working across departments I worked to enhance
Terrace Towns- Planning Volunteer collaboration to address common challenges. While with the city I
(Teaching 3rd graders urban planning) implemented an up-to-date file management system from a paper-based
system allowing for the quick processing of plans for permit review. I
*In the process of applying for Associate researched and presented methods to allow for increased housing diversity
Membership within the city. This included reviewing the city’s zoning code and local plan to
find policies which limit variation in housing types.

GILLIAN M COOPER

URBAN PLANNER

SEA GRANT INSTITUTE
GIS STUDENT HOURLY  08/15-08/16
Concerned with increasing flood resilience in Wisconsin communities, I designed and created an impactful web
mapping tool enabling local planners to engage with communities to promote resilient practices and identify flood
vulnerable communities. In this role I compiled a database of tools to assist planners in the region. Research into the
conditions and attitudes toward resilience was an essential component of this project. I went on to present these tools
at the Green Bay Coastal Resilience Community conference where they were met with a positive response.   

INTERESTS

PLANNING
I currently in the process of submitting my application for an Associate membership to the RTPI. I regularly attend
planning focused events run by the Women in Planning Group and the RTPI Thames Valley Young Planners Network.
RESEARCH
My background in research lead me to a career in planning. While at university I researched the potential land use
impacts of autonomous vehicles. The culmination of this research allowed me to make recommendations for future
proofing cities for the environmental impacts of autonomous vehicles.
ROWING
I love to be active and am very competitive when it comes to sport. I have rowed for 11 years from high school through
University, where I was club captain for 2 years. I enjoy the team nature of the sport as well as the challenge. My key
highlights are competing at the u23 world Championships in 2015 (bronze), World University Games 2016 (bronze),
and setting the 1st half course record for the Women’s single event at Henley Royal Regatta 2019.

AWARDS AND CONFERENCES

2019 Florida Planning & Zoning Award for Outstanding Master Planning- Hi Hat Ranch Project
NHS Estates Conference 2019
Thames Valley Property Festival 2019
Best Professional Project Poster, University of Wisconsin- MS UPRL Class of 2018
CNU Conference; Scholarship Winner 2018
APA National Planning Conference 2018; New Orleans, LA
WI APA Planning Conference 2017; Milwaukee, WI
Form Based Codes 101 Course; Planetizen
Petchetnik Award for Cartography, Best Undergraduate Project; UW-Madison 2016 
First Team All American BIG 10 Conference 2016
Graves Award for Service to Wisconsin Women’s Rowing 2016

Contents

Contents 02
Introduction 03
Education 04
Curriculum Vite 05
Planning Application UK 08
Planning Application US 09
Development Standards US 10
Housing Study UK 11
Web Design 12
A Bit More About Me 13

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Cover image courtesy of Wallpaperswide.com

Page 3



Introduction

GILLIAN COOPER

Hi! I’m Gillian Cooper, I am a British –
Singaporean, urban planner, rowing enthusiast,
and urbanist! I am passionate about the
built environment and the positive impact
technology and good design can have on the
human experience.

These are just a few of my favorite projects.

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Page 5



Education University of Wisconsin- Madison (USA)
MSc, May 2018
Department: Planning and Landscape Architecture
Concentration: Urban Design, Environmental Planning, GIS

Building on my passion for places and understanding big data through mapping I went on to complete a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning with
a concentration in Urban Design, Environmental Planning and GIS. During my studies I worked closely with my advisor Dr. Aslıgül Göçmen studying
the potential land use impacts of autonomous vehicles. My thesis focused on the necessary changes in local government to allow for sustainable and

varied housing design.

University of Wisconsin- Madison (USA)
BSc, May 2016
Department: Geography
Concentration: People and Environments, GIS/Cartography

I have always loved to travel and the opportunity it brings to understand difference people and cultures. Following high school, I moved to the United
States where I went to the University of Wisconsin. In Madison continued to learn and express my passion for people and places through my formal
education. Completing a Bachelor degree’s in Geography- People and Environments, and GIS I became interested in what makes great places. My
thesis focused on Topophilia and how the built environment affects a persons sense of place.

Software Skills
ArcGIS, QGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, WordPress, Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Outlook email and calendar functions, MS teams, Planner), JavaScript, Leaflet.

Professional Associations
RTPI*
RTPI Thames Valley Young Planners Network
Women in Planning- Thames Valley
American Planning Association
Congress for New Urbanism
“A good city is like a good party - people Women in Geography- University of Wisconsin
stay longer than really necessary, because Terrace Towns- Planning Volunteer (Teaching 3rd graders urban planning)

they are enjoying themselves.“
-Jan Ghel *In the process of applying for Associate Membership

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Page 7

Curriculum Vite

Related Experience

STANTEC CONSULTING UK, READING ENGLAND
URBAN PLANNER 06/19- PRESENT
Following my transfer from Stantec Consulting, US, I continued to support my US colleagues while creating connections
between the US and newly acquired UK offices. Working in the Planning team in the former PBA head office, I prepare
and manage Planning submissions for a variety of developments, across the UK. In this role I have applied my background
in housing studies and GIS feeding into client studies which culminate in presenting a range of housing site options for
promotion. A key project I am responsible for is the planning application for the environmental remediation of Queen Pool,
Blenheim Palace. Centered in a world heritage site as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest the management of this
process was essential to its success. Material considerations for this submission included National Planning Policy, Local
Planning Policy, as well as other supplementary plans. Coordination with internal teams as well as other external consultants
and statutory stakeholders is essential for the continued success of this project.

STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, FL USA
URBAN PLANNER 08/18-06/19 
While working with Stantec US, I developed a range of planning policy documents outlining the procedures and standards for
the development of connected sustainable communities in growing areas of South West Florida. Developing these standards
provided an exciting opportunity to redefine outdated practices in order to enable good design and encourage resilient and
sustainable development that fostered a strong sense of community. During this time, I prepared submission packages for
rezone and special exception cases across the region, for a range of residential, non-residential schemes, including master
planned communities. I completed due diligence research on development sites working with multidisciplinary teams across
Stantec offices. Internally, I applied my design and GIS skills to ensure our bids and documents stood out from the crowed.

CITY OF REDWOOD CITY, CA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INTERN 05/17-08/17
Working for Redwood City, California I guided community members and developers through city entitlement processes, such
as permit applications and zoning review. Working across departments I worked to enhance collaboration to address common
challenges. While with the city I implemented an up-to-date file management system from a paper-based system allowing for
the quick processing of plans for permit review. I researched and presented methods to allow for increased housing diversity
within the city. This included reviewing the city’s zoning code and local plan to find policies which limit variation in housing
types.

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Page 8

Sea Grant Institute
GIS STUDENT HOURLY  08/15-08/16
Concerned with increasing flood resilience in Wisconsin communities, I designed and created an impactful web mapping tool
enabling local planners to engage with communities to promote resilient practices and identify flood vulnerable communities.
In this role I compiled a database of tools to assist planners in the region. Research into the conditions and attitudes toward
resilience was an essential component of this project. I went on to present these tools at the Green Bay Coastal Resilience
Community conference where they were met with a positive response.   

Awards and Conferences

2019 Florida Planning & Zoning Award for Outstanding Master Planning- Hi Hat Ranch Project
NHS Estates Conference 2019
Thames Valley Property Festival 2019
Best Professional Project Poster, University of Wisconsin- MS UPRL Class of 2018
CNU Conference; Scholarship Winner 2018
APA National Planning Conference 2018; New Orleans, LA
WI APA Planning Conference 2017; Milwaukee, WI
Form Based Codes 101 Course; Planetizen
Petchetnik Award for Cartography, Best Undergraduate Project; UW-Madison 2016 
First Team All American BIG 10 Conference 2016
Graves Award for Service to Wisconsin Women’s Rowing 2016

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Page 9

PROJECT EXAMPLES

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Page 10

Queen Pool ENGINEERING OPERATION
Blenheim Lake has a long history and significance within the Blenheim Estate.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, UK Comprised of Queen Pool and The Great Lake, Blenheim Lake is a prominent
feature of the Estate and was one of the criteria in the award of the UNESCO
Provided by RBMP environmental, the World Heritage Site (WHS) designation. Following Environmental Screening under
points in the image above show the the European Commission Water Framework Directive in 2016/2017, the lake
locations where visualizations were was assessed as being in an unfavorable condition. As a Site of Special Scientific
analysed from. Interest (SSSI) Natural England has a responsibility to restore the lake to good
Gillian Cooper - Portfolio condition. In line with these goals I managed the preparation of the planning
submission and the coordination of inputs from internal and external consultants.
A major component of this project was the disposal of 300,000 m3 of silt dredged
from the lake. Following extensive research, we concluded that the creation of
a landform was the optimum solution for the silt disposal. This landform was
designed to fit sympathetically within the site. The Proposed Development
provides additional benefits to the site by restoring the lake as far as possible
to its 18th century state, ensuring the longevity of a prized historic and cultural
landmark. Without this development, the view across the Queen Pool to
Vanburgh’s Grand Bridge and Blenheim Palace (often referred to as ‘the finest view
in England’) will be lost and the Queen Pool will become a wetland.

Page 11

Villages of Amazon South

Manatee County, Florida

REZONE AND OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT CONSENT
The Villages of Amazon South are comprised of several smaller villages in
Manatee County. This project comprised of a large scale rezone, with outline
planning permission and the subsequent outline planning permission for a mix of
1,999 detached, semi-detached, and attached residential units with a 60,000 sf
commercial component in northeastern Manatee County. This proposal received
unanimous approval from the Board.
The next phase of this project entails the creation of a master plan and detailed
development consent.

The image above shows sketches provided Page 12
to show how entitled development (top
right) may interact with the land covered by
the rezone.

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio

West Village Patten Plans URBAN MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
The West Villages, approximately 8,000 acres, located in the City of North Port,
City of North Port, FL, USA Florida, is envisioned as a vibrant mixed use community that will utilize design
elements of city and neighborhood planning, through the development of 11
The image above shows two pages from distinct villages, consistent with the City’s Village District requirements. Stantec
the Village G Pattern Plan. This is one of serves as the planning, design and engineering consultants for this community.
the 3 Village Plans I have prepared. We are currently preparing and processing amendments to the Index Map. We
Gillian Cooper - Portfolio are also preparing a Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map and Text Amendment
application for property that has recently been acquired, as well as a rezone
application for property that does not currently have the proper implementing
zoning district for Village development. Additionally, Stantec is responsible
for the rewrite of the Village District Pattern Plan, the guiding document for
development regulations within the villages. Finally, we are preparing a Village
District Pattern Plan for Villages “E”, “F”, and “G” which are envisioned as three
complimentary but distinct, vibrant, mixed use villages, offering retail, office, civic
and residential uses. The vision for West Villages is sustainable development
that ensures environmental preservation and enhancement, while providing for a
functional and rational development pattern, relying on sound planning and design
principles.

Page 13

Housing Studies

‘Good buildings come from good people HOUSING STUDY
The output of the housing assessment was the production of a concise Distribution
and all problems are solved by good Strategy Report (tabulated and map based) which critically assessed how an LPA may
distribute its future housing need. This illustrative report detailed the outcomes of the
design‘ study and to interrogated the planning judgments that were made in arriving at the
report’s conclusions.
-Stephen Gardiner The purpose is to enable separate 360o appraisals to be carried out for targeted
settlements with a view to our client securing future development land with a logical and
Gillian Cooper - Portfolio structured planning pedigree.

Above image courtesy of ULI

Page 14

Web Mapping GREEN BAY FLOOD VIZ
Mapping was my original passion. While working for the Wisconsin Sea Grant I built and
The image above shows a screen clipping updated web mapping tools to help planners complete flood resilience outreach work.
from the website. Built using JavaScript and Leaftlet software the Green Bay Flood Viewer translate historic
Gillian Cooper - Portfolio flood data into a user-friendly tool that allows the public to connect with big data. This
tool combines data on flooding with population data at the block level such as: median
income, number of businesses, population, improved structure value and the social
vulnerability index to understand the potential impacts of flooding in Green Bay.
Check out the full tool at: http://gcooper5.github.io/gbf/index.html

Page 15

A Bit More About Me

PLANNING
I currently in the process of submitting my application for an Associate membership to
the RTPI. I regularly attend planning focused events run by the Women in Planning Group
and the RTPI Thames Valley Young Planners Network.
RESEARCH
My background in research lead me to a career in planning. While at university I
researched the potential land use impacts of autonomous vehicles. The culmination of
this research allowed me to make recommendations for future proofing cities for the
environmental impacts of autonomous vehicles.
ROWING
I love to be active and am very competitive when it comes to sport. I have rowed for 11
years from high school through University, where I was club captain for 2 years. I enjoy
the team nature of the sport as well as the challenge. My key highlights are competing at
the u23 world Championships in 2015 (bronze), World University Games 2016 (bronze),
and setting the 1st half course record for the Women’s single event at Henley Royal
Regatta 2019.

Gillian Cooper - Portfolio Page 16



I hope you have enjoyed my portfolio. If you
would like to view some full example please visit:
http://anyflip.com/bookcase/lhqmr

Thanks!