Biography

Michael is one of Canada’s recognized leaders in urban design and healthy community planning, with over 35 years of teaching and professional experience. He is curriculum coordinator and chief instructor of the award-winning urban design certificate in the City Program at SFU. His most recent book – Dynamic Urban Design (2013, iUniverse) - is used by five university programs in Canada. Michael also developed and facilitates the three courses for the Urban Development Institute’s School of Development, Pacific Region. In 2014, he was recognized by the Heritage Register of Who’s Who for Executives and Professionals and in 2015 by Trademark Who’s Who for Excellence in Urban Design. He is a graduate of Harvard University with a master's in urban design and a specialty in real estate economics.

In addition, Michael is president of MVH Urban Planning and Design Inc., a firm that specializes in international urban design, advanced facilitation, and community partnerships. His firm has received ten local, provincial, and international awards over the past seven years for its innovation in planning, development, and design. He is a registered professional planner, landscape architect and certified public participation practitioner as well as a LEED accredited professional.

In 2013, his firm won the international eco-city design competition for Huangshi, China in association with the Guangzhou Planning Institute. In 2016, MVH received the Planning Institute of British Columbia’s Gold Award for the firm’s work on the Lougheed Town Centre Core Area Master Plan with the City of Burnaby and Shape Development Corporation. Michael von Hausen also became a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners in 2016 – the institute’s highest award – for his distinguished national and international work, teaching and mentorship.