Scot Hein

Scot Hein was the University of British Columbia’s urban designer, and an adjunct professor of urban design in UBC’s Master of Urban Design Program (SALA) and in the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP).

Prior to this work, Scot was the senior urban designer for the City of Vancouver and led the city’s high-profile Urban Design Studio for most of his 20-year career. His work included the urban design and implementation of new plans for the city’s West End, Downtown East Side, Cambie Corridor and Mount Pleasant. He was responsible for the development planning of Woodward’s, Southeast False Creek/Olympic Village, Mole Hill, Chinatown, the revitalization of Gastown/Victory Square/Hastings Corridor and related public realm projects such as the Granville Mall, Carrall Street Greenway, Pigeon Park, Downtown Historic Trail, CPR ROW and the Silk Road.

Before joining the COV, Scot was in private architectural practice in the U.S. and Canada, where he specialized in the design of research and development facilities, health care, resorts and transit infrastructure. He is a previously registered architect with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and a registered architect in the United States. 

Scot co-chaired the inaugural urban design panel for Abu Dhabi and is a founding board member of Urbanarium, a non-profit society that advocates for “smart cities.” He is also a board member of Small Housing BC. He is invited to lecture on best urban design practices frequently, and has been a tireless advocate for neighbourhoods and sustainable urbanism. 

He has also served as Canada’s representative for the Built Environment Education Movement. Scot was honoured with the 2015 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Advocacy Award, and continues to advise neighbourhoods and industry on city-making opportunities.