Nicholas Kuhl (MPL’18) has always had a passion for helping communities tackle planning challenges. Today, he is an Associate at O2, where he works on high-impact municipal planning and land use projects from coast to coast, but his journey into the profession began at Queen’s following undergraduate degrees at Brock University in Education and Geography.
During his time at SURP, Nicholas took full advantage of the many opportunities the program offers to get involved and to apply learning to practice. He received the International Travel Award, served as a volunteer with the Queen’s Graduate Association of Planning Students (QGAPS), worked as a Teaching Assistant, and gained on-the-ground planning experience working with the City of Kingston’s policy planning team throughout his time at SURP. These early roles helped him build a strong foundation in both the theory and practice of planning.
Coupled with his SURP education, early planning experiences working with the Town of Lincoln, the Town of Fort Erie, and the City of Kingston helped deepen his understanding of the distinct challenges faced by municipalities of different sizes and geographies—rural and urban, growing and aging, well-resourced and resource-constrained.
This appreciation for municipal complexity grew further when Nicholas joined O2, a national planning and design firm based in Calgary. Since then, he has contributed to transformative projects across Canada, offering insight and leadership on issues ranging from housing affordability and secondary planning to waterfront revitalization and climate adaptation.
Some of his most rewarding work has included helping to write the Building LeBreton Master Concept Plan for the National Capital Commission in Ottawa, shaping the Mission Waterfront Revitalization Master Plan in British Columbia, and leading the development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s first secondary plans in partnership with the City of St. John’s. He has also supported the preparation of municipal plans for communities large and small, with a portfolio spanning every province in the country.
Nicholas remains deeply involved in the planning profession. He currently serves on the Alberta Professional Planners Institute Council, volunteers with UN-Habitat’s Professionals Forum, and has presented internationally on topics ranging from post-COVID recovery to sustainable infrastructure.
Reflecting on his career to date, Nicholas credits his time at SURP as pivotal: “Queen’s helped me connect my passion for local planning issues to broader policy systems and national conversations. I left the program not just with tools but with a robust network of inspiring colleagues and purpose in planning.”