Dr. Mark Roseland

Global Sustainability Expert, Author of Toward Sustainable Communities & UN SDGs Practitioner Advisor on Urban Resilience

  • Globally recognised authority on sustainable development & urban planning
  • Author of Toward Sustainable Communities, a leading resource on sustainability
  • UN SDGs advisor, instrumental in advancing Goal 11 for sustainable cities
  • Founder of Pando | Sustainable Communities, fostering global collaboration

Discover Dr. Mark Roseland’s biography of published work below.

Toward Sustainable Communities: Resources for Citizens and Their Governments
Toward Sustainable Communities: Resources for Citizens and Their Governments

When Dr. Mark Roseland is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

Governance for Building Sustainable Cities
Using the Community Capital Compass to Advance Community Economic Development
Sustainability: Major Challenges for The Business Community
Economic Development as If Sustainability Mattered
Toward Sustainable Cities and Communities
Mobilising Collaboration for Sustainable Communities

Dr Mark Roseland is a globally recognised authority in sustainable development, urban planning, and community resilience. Over a distinguished career, he has worked to bridge the gap between academic research and practical solutions for sustainability, influencing policymakers, organisations, and communities worldwide. With a career rooted in leadership and innovation, Mark is celebrated for his transformative contributions to sustainable urban governance and community planning.

Mark began his career with a PhD in Community and Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia, which laid the foundation for his expertise in urban sustainability. He served as Chief City Planner in Metro Vancouver, where he applied his academic insights to real-world urban challenges. At Simon Fraser University (SFU), Mark held the positions of Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development and Professor of Planning, leading groundbreaking research on sustainable development and mentoring the next generation of planners and policymakers.

Currently, Mark is a Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and Professor of Sustainable Community Solutions at Arizona State University (ASU). His work at ASU includes spearheading innovative research initiatives, advising on sustainable development policies, and developing frameworks to promote urban resilience. His contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, underscore his global impact.

Mark is also the acclaimed author of Toward Sustainable Communities, a seminal work now in its fifth edition that has become an essential resource for sustainability practitioners worldwide. His leadership extends to founding Pando | Sustainable Communities, a global network connecting experts to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in sustainability. As a keynote speaker, Mark captivates audiences with actionable strategies on topics such as climate resilience, urban planning, and collaborative governance, making him an indispensable guide for building a sustainable future.

Official Testimonials

Dr. Mark Roseland is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“A comprehensive collection of concepts with clear illustrations and community-based examples…an essential text for all practitioners and students of sustainability planning.”

Karla, Chair, American Planning Association Sustainable Communities Division, Ebenbach Consulting

“An elegant and actionable playbook for city builders to rethink our time-tested and often misguided approaches to urban planning, design and development… exhaustive and approachable – providing new thinking, powerful solutions, and an elegant framework.”

Rob, Founder, EcoDistricts | Senior Advisor, Partnership for Southern Equity

“Groundbreaking… A must-read for academics, practitioners, and everyone concerned about the economic, environmental, and social future of our planet.”

David, Managing Director, C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy

“Essential reading for those new to the space, and should be on the shelf of every practitioner as their go-to reference.”

Hilari, Vice President for Cities, U.S. Green Building Council

“The fifth edition of TSC stands out as truly transformational… Packed with more ideas and information, it appears at a time of tremendous upheaval, when the need for it is greatest… The book is almost everything I could ask for. A good buy.”

Emilie, President, Planning Institute of British Columbia

To enquire about Dr. Mark Roseland for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@sustainability-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553.