Rob Barrs is co-founder & principal of Holland Barrs Planning Group Inc. He is a LEED® accredited planner, a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and holds degrees in both Geology/Geophysics and Community & Regional Planning, as well as a post-graduate Certificate in Media Studies. Rob’s passion is to create highly liveable, sustainable communities. As such, he works closely with communities, development teams, governments and NGOs to identify practical, implementable solutions to the challenges facing these organizations. His experience as a planning consultant has included extensive work coordinating multidisciplinary urban development teams on many projects, from concept development to final approvals, including official plan amendments, local area plans, re-zonings and subdivision. Rob recently led studies in residential intensification best practices, transit-oriented development, green building incentives and eco-industrial networking. His research and writing has covered a broad range of topics including high performance buildings, tax strategies for greening municipalities, and environmental stewardship. Rob chaired the board of directors of Smart Growth BC from 2006 to 2007.