Regional Center Plan – Downtown Dartmouth

In January 2014, Bruce Mans (MPlan’11) and Steffen Käubler (MURP’03) launched UPLAND Urban Planning + Design in a small office in the North End of Halifax. Born out of a desire to apply their passion for deliberate urbanism and purposeful urban design from within a small, flexible and fun ‘corporate’ launch pad, Bruce and Steffen have quickly grown UPLAND into a recognized and respected urban planning and urban design consulting firm serving Atlantic Canada.

UPLAND is committed to delivering context-sensitive and tangible solutions that the wonderfully unique places of our region deserve. At their core, Bruce and Steffen firmly believe these solutions must be rooted in local expertise and support, and in the creative application of innovative urban planning and design principles. Most importantly, they are passionate about their work. Pride in their plans, both in substance and presentation, is the foundation of their success and the key to providing community partners and clients with inspiring and workable plans.

Now in its second year, UPLAND has since moved to a larger office, has grown to a team of six and has been fortunate to also employ three enthusiastic and talented Dalhousie planning students on internship work terms. With a diverse portfolio ranging from active transportation to large-scale master planning, UPLAND has worked on dozens of projects in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Currently, the firm is leading the design efforts for a new streetscape for Water Street in St. John’s, Newfoundland, one of the oldest main streets in North America.

Prior to founding UPLAND, Bruce and Steffen had worked for many years as planners and designers for local consulting firms – always driven by a commitment to deliver inspired and tangible solutions. During this time, they worked on a number of projects that have been recognized through national planning and design awards, among them the highest honours by both the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and the Canadian Institute of Planners.

To learn more about UPLAND or to view their projects, visit www.uplandstudio.ca

Cycle Nova Scotia Brochure Series – Building on expertise in sustainable transportation and communication design, UPLAND led a creative design team in producing Nova Scotia’s first professional bicycle tourism products.