Holly Pearson Email & Phone Number

United States

Expert consulting services on a retainer basis for Cities Alliance, a global partnership hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) that works to support cities in achieving sustainable development. Support multiple areas of the organization’s work, including programme design, project management, business development, technical programme implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. My specific areas of expertise include strategic urban planning, housing and slum upgrading, sustainable urbanization, local economic development, and participatory governance.

Milpitas, California, United States

Project Manager for the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update. The project includes updates to the City's Zoning Map and Zoning Code to implement land use policies in the recently updated Milpitas 2040 General Plan and the recently adopted Metro Specific Plan. It also involves the overall restructuring and modernization of the Zoning Ordinance, incorporating City policy priorities and industry best practices.My specific responsibilities include overseeing the overall project direction and strategy, collaborating and coordinating with the consulting team, managing public outreach and stakeholder engagement, providing technical expertise on zoning and policy issues, and maintaining the project timeline and budget.

I am an independent urban planning and urban sustainability consultant offering the following services:PLANNING – UNITED STATESLand use planning and related services for cities and counties in the United States. I have extensive experience working with local governments in communities of all sizes, specializing in comprehensive / long-range planning and policy for urban sustainability.PLANNING – INTERNATIONALSustainable urban development consulting for cities in the global south. I have collaborated with NGOs, multilateral organizations, and city governments on local programs to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. I have a special interest in Latin American cities and am proficient in Spanish (reading, speaking and writing).GRANT WRITING FOR CITIES AND NGOsFull-service grants research, grant writing and grant management for local governments and non-profit / community organizations. I have helped cities and non-profits obtain grants from state, federal and international funding sources to carry out planning and capital projects.

Research, analysis and writing for UN-Habitat’s flagship publication, “Solutions to Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements 2020.” The report will highlight current efforts and best practices for upgrading and improving slums and informal settlements in urban areas worldwide. It is intended to provide direction to municipal and national governments as well as other key development stakeholders to fulfill their commitment to reducing urban poverty, inequality, and substandard housing conditions.

Banjul, The Gambia

Formalization and preparation of a comprehensive urban plan for the Greater Banjul Area (GBA), The Gambia, as part of the GBA Sustainable Urban Development Programme 2020-2040. The project is funded by the African Development Bank and implemented by the Government of The Gambia and the United Nations Office for Project Services.

Oakland, California

Manage a variety of long-range planning and policy projects for local government agencies. Projects include general plan updates, specific plans and areas plans, climate action plans, zoning code amendments, and sustainability policy.

Medellin, Colombia

Independent consultant to U.S.-based NGO Ecocity Builders. Advised the organization on how to implement its grassroots neighborhood plan for Moravia, an informal community in central MedellÍn, in a manner consistent with the City’s adopted area plan for Moravia and other municipal guidelines and regulations. Reviewed and analyzed the Plan Parcial de Moravia and other City policy documents; consulted with the City of MedellÍn’s Planning Department, community leaders and other local experts; and developed an implementation framework for Ecocity Builders’ Moravia neighborhood plan with a focus on sustainability principles.

Selected as a fellow for a competitive, internationally focused immersion program designed to help high-achieving, mid-career professionals to become more effective leaders and to advance social impact through their work. The program prepares participants to accelerate progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through readings and discussions, expert webinars, collaborative case study exercises, mentorship, and an individual international pro-bono consulting placement. A central element of the MovingWorlds Institute is a focus on human-centered design as a methodology to address complex social and environmental challenges.

Ouro Preto, Brazil

• Co-manage the launching and implementation of a participatory initiative to upgrade an informal settlement in the São Cristóvão neighborhood of Ouro Preto, Brazil, in collaboration with team of professional planners from Brazil and the United States and members of the São Cristóvão Residents Association. The project, titled “Lead Up,” uses a sustainability framework based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system and seeks to establish an alternative, more socially just model to improve housing conditions, infrastructure and public services while simultaneously creating jobs for residents. • Lead the team’s efforts to research potential grant funding sources for the project; prepare and submit grant proposals to donor agencies

Oakland, Ca

• Manage the launching and implementation of a community-based planning and mapping initiative, titled the EcoCitizen World Map Project (EWMP), in Lima, Peru. EWMP is a global initiative that utilizes a bottom-up, participatory approach to evaluating and documenting a city’s social and environmental conditions and the consumption of resources at the neighborhood scale, using web-based mapping tools such as GIS and online multi-media applications.• Oversee and advance the formation of local partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and community organizations in Lima. • Develop academic curriculum related to urban sustainability principles/metrics and methodologies for evaluating, quantifying and mapping local environmental conditions.• Prepare funding proposals to private foundations, multilateral development banks, and international agencies. Write and submit reports evaluating progress in implementing funded projects and achieving stated target outcomes.

San Francisco, Ca

• Manage the acquisition of land for new public open space. Work with other City agencies and community stakeholder groups on multiple complex issues related to the selection, purchase, environmental remediation, development, and long-term management of new park properties.• Oversee the planning of capital improvement projects for park properties. Collaborate with designers and community groups on site planning, strategies for funding and long-term park maintenance, etc. • Work with other City agencies on approval processes for park improvement projects to ensure compliance with city, state and federal regulations (land use, historic preservation, California Environmental Quality Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc).• Represent the Recreation and Park Department on the City's Interagency Plan Implementation Committee (IPIC), planning for the expenditure of development impact fee revenues to acquire and develop new public open space and to rehabilitate existing parks and open space. • Supervise interns and manage intern recruitment for the department’s Planning Unit.

Oakland, Ca

Strategic Planning Division (April 2010-June 2012)• Worked with consultant teams, community members, and other City agencies on the development of Specific and Area Plans, including the International Boulevard Transit-Oriented Development Plan and the West Oakland Specific Plan• Contributed to the development of Citywide policies related to sustainability, such as the Green Building Ordinance for private development and the Energy & Climate Action Plan• Coordinated the Planning Department’s participation in the regional One Bay Area planning process, aimed at aligning transportation, housing and employment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.• Prepared grant applications to state and federal agencies in support of long-range planning projects Zoning Division (May 2007 – March 2010)• Processed applications for Design Review, Variances, Conditional Use Permits, Subdivisions, and other land use entitlements • Worked with property owners, architects, and community members to ensure project compliance with zoning regulations, improve project design, and resolve potential impacts of land use proposals • Provided planning and zoning information to the public at the zoning counter and by phone

La Plata, Argentina

• Developed and managed program to promote actions and strategies for climate protection and greenhouse gas emissions reduction at the municipal level• Carried out inventory of local greenhouse gas emissions in collaboration with interdisciplinary team of colleagues from public and private institutions• Planned, organized, and facilitated a participatory community workshop on climate change

Vancouver, British Columbia

• Worked with interdepartmental staff and proponent teams on multiple aspects of proposed major urban development projects, including site planning; urban design; traffic/parking strategies, etc.• Assisted with public consultation processes, including preparation of presentation and public input materials and responding to public inquiries at open houses and via telephone and email.

Vancouver, British Columbia

• Researched plans and strategies from Canadian municipalities related to social issues. • Wrote discussion paper in consultation with Social Planning staff that evolved into draft of Social Development Strategy for the City of Vancouver.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Concentration: Urban Policy and Community Development

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Interdisciplinary Studies / Environmental Studies

Professional Certificate, International Development