“It is the emotion that creates built environment and in turn the built environment creates emotion. As a contributor toward intervening in this cycle of creation and recreation, I wish to make the world a Just place for all!”
Neha is an architect-urban designer-planner with a passion to design and plan urbanism. She has worked internationally as an architect in Doha, Qatar for GHD and her recent work focuses on urban design, transportation, and comprehensive planning. She excels at a multidisciplinary approach to projects from design to policy planning and strategies at an urban scale. With a global experience of living in several countries (UK, UAE, Qatar & India) within a diverse urban context, she brings a broad perspective to designing and planning cities.
Her interest ranges from working at all phases of urban design and planning projects from initial site analysis, program development, concept alternatives, detail design, and construction documentation to guidelines for implementation. She finds a thrill in completing a project that meets its vision and goals through quality project management. With a quest for learning, she wants to continue exploring new avenues like design technology and sustainability in the built environment.
In her personal journey, she grew up in Abu-Dhabi, UAE and witnessed the fast-paced building of cities and the rising skyline from ground zero. The experience inspired her to pursue architecture and urban design study. While living in London, she loved exploring the city walking and taking public transportation. She calls London her favorite city!
In her creative musings, Neha continues to explore new frontiers at the intersection between less connected avenues. With a quest for learning, she loves to travel to new places and meet people from all walks of life!
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Neha Soni
AICP, LEED AP (ND & BD+C), CNU-A
EDUCATION
MSc. Urban Development/International Planning (Sept. 2008 – Sept. 2009)
The Bartlett – Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London (UCL), London, U.K.
Master of Architecture in Urban Design – MAUD (Jul. 2004 – Jul. 2006)
(Honors), Center for Environmental Planning & Technology University (CEPT), Ahmedabad, India.
Bachelor of Architecture – B. Arch. (Jul. 1999 – Jul. 2004)
(Distinction with 2nd rank – GPA 3.68/4.0) Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Baroda, India.
Masters Course – Architecture Professional Practice I & II (Aug. 2016 – Jul. 2017)
Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
CERTIFICATIONS
Pursuing Architecture License – Practice Management passed (NCARB)
American Institute of Certified Planner – AICP (APA)
LEED Neighborhood Design – LEED AP ND (USGBC)
LEED Building Design + Construction – LEED AP BD+C (USGBC)
Congress for the New Urbanism – CNU-A
Licensed Architect, India – Council of Architecture (COA)
AFFILIATIONS
American Planning Association (APA IL Chapter)
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
DESIGN TOOLS
AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, ArcGIS, MS Office, Revit, Lumion, WordPress/Squarespace Website Design, Hand drawn Sketches (2D/3D Color, B/W)
AWARDS & INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) Award, UCL – The Bartlett, London, U.K. (Sept. 2008 – Sept. 2009)
Department for International Development (DFID) – Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (British Government) & University College London
One of two students chosen internationally for full scholarship for MSc. Urban Development/International Planning at UCL, London, U.K.
Global Studio – University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (Jun. 2006)
Global Studio scholarship and CEPT Scholarship funded participant
One of 60 students selected internationally
- Global Studio – An International Educational Program (UN Millennium Development Project)
- Greater Vancouver Regional Charrette (Sustainability by Design – Envision Vancouver 2020)
- United Nations World Urban Forum III (UN-HABITAT event)
Asia Link – International Joint Studio Project, Karachi, Pakistan (Aug. 2005)
Urban Transformation (Urban Design) Studio Participant
Project – Revitalizing neighborhood spaces in the old city of Karachi
Design Idea: Incremental improvement on today to lead future transformational change
Deliverable: Master plan, building typologies, massing studies, streetscape, public square design, strategies to improve living condition in deteriorated slum settlement located in close proximity to industrial units, Infrastructure development proposal, open green space network intervention and transformation of existing building typology plan.
GUEST FACULTY LECTURES
Kennesaw State University (Department of Civil & Construction Engineering), Atlanta, GA
Key subject areas – Urban Design, Transportation Planning, Architecture, MPO functions, Transit Oriented Development, Sustainable Corridor Development, Long Range Transportation Plan, Comprehensive Planning.
PUBLICATIONS – Blogs
Case Study of INVEST – FHWA Sustainable Highways
Our MPO story of ‘INVEST – A Sustainability Tool’ – Chicago Build Expo (ambassador for diversity in construction), chicago.urbdezine.com
Can we first fix our Viewing Lens? – theurbanvision.com
The World through my Visuals – Cultural Cartographies of Media
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Epstein Architecture, Engineering & Construction, Chicago, IL (Aug. 2022 – Present)
Senior Planner – Urban Designer
Working at an intersection of Urban Design/Architecture and Transportation Planning/Engineering in the AEC industry.
Selected Projects:
- Big Marsh Park East Side Neighborhood Connectivity Plan, Southside Chicago
- Jasper Street Great Streets Great Neighborhoods Plan, Decatur IL
- RTA Interagency Signage Map Information Design, Chicago Region
- Urban Design Guidance for a Mixed-use Modular High-rise, Seattle WA
SSC Regional Planning Commission/MPO, Springfield, IL (Jan. 2011 – Aug. 2022)
Associate Planner – Urban Designer
Designed streetscapes, intersection redevelopment, corridor plans, transit centers, and detailed sub-area plans. Initiated projects from site analysis, program development, and concept alternatives to the final design. Tasks included research and analysis, area programming, site planning, landscape design, urban design prototypes, GIS mapping, zoning analysis, and design review for feasibility studies. Assisted active transportation plans for bike, ped, and multi-use trail networks and complete streets. Facilitated inter-agency coordination for policy documents and progress meetings.
INITIATIVES:
Urban Design: Urban design input to technical and non-technical tasks in planning process.
Sustainability: Developed design strategies to incorporate sustainability criteria in projects and plans.
PRESENTATIONS (Public engagement & Conferences) – SPEAKER
Prepared PowerPoint presentations illustrating design concepts, maps, charts, diagrams. Facilitated public participation meetings with diverse audiences at local, state, and national level. Presented projects as a panel speaker at conferences and webinars.
Selected Projects:
- Transit Oriented Development, Springfield, IL (Project Team Leader & Speaker) – Nominated for APA IL awards
- Demonstrating INVEST for a Corridor Development Project – A Sustainability tool by FHWA (Project Team Leader & Speaker) – Project presented at National Webinar by FHWA, AMPO National Conference 2013 for FHWA INVEST Panel Session (Agenda) and IDOT Fall Planning Conference 2015 (Agenda)
- Riverton, Strategic & Comprehensive Planning – Sub-area Planning/Urban Design
- Curran, Strategic & Comprehensive Planning – Sub-area Planning/Urban Design
- Leland Grove, Strategic & Comprehensive Planning – Sub-area Planning/Urban Design
- Chatham, Strategic & Comprehensive Planning – Sub-area Planning/Urban Design
- North Grand Streetscape Improvement Project – Sub-area Planning / Urban Design
- MLK Intersection Redevelopment – Sub-area Planning/Urban Design
- Rural Transit Transfer Center Design for Divernon, Williamsville, Illiopolis
- Adaptive Reuse of an Old Ice House as Route 66 Heritage Center, Springfield, IL
- Urban Bike and Pedestrian Planning for Springfield, IL
- Rural Bike and Pedestrian Planning for Sangamon County, IL
- Multi-use Trails Planning, Logo & Brochure Branding Design for Sangamon County, IL
- Bike to Work Week Poster Design
ARCHITECTURE EXPERIENCE
GHD Global Pty. Ltd. (Australian Architecture firm), Doha, Qatar (Sept. 2006 – Oct. 2007)
Architect – Concept Design Team, Architecture Marketing Section
Designed and assisted master plans, case studies research, urban design concepts and sketches, street hierarchy, open space structure, built form massing, landscape contour details, infrastructure and site planning and detail plans.
Selected Projects – Cultural Village (Urban Design concept, Site Planning, Landscape Design, Residential Villa Design Development) – New residential development over 99ha with 235 villas reflecting the Arabian heritage and vernacular architecture that included a retail complex, theatres, a resort, and an air-conditioned outdoor public plaza.
Other Projects – Mannai Colony Development Project (Rebuilding staff accommodations), Palace for Sheikh Thani at farm property, Ali Bin Ali Golf Course Compound Development, Aspire (Sports city project), Qatar Airways Hotel, Mall at Abu Hamour, Multipurpose Hall.
PRESENTATIONS – Speaker
INVEST Project Presentations – download >> Power point Pdf and FHWA Case Study
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Fall Planning Conference (2015) Speaker – Utilizing INVEST for Plans and Projects (Agenda)
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) National Conference (2013) Speaker – FHWA Panel Session – MPO INVEST-ments in Sustainability (Agenda)
National Webinar (2013) Speaker – FHWA, INVEST
TOD Project Presentations – download >> Part I, Part II and Project Booklet
Illinois Association of Regional Council (ILARC) Annual Meeting (2011)
SATS (Springfield Area Transportation Study) members Presentation (2012)
DSI (Downtown Springfield Inc.) Public Presentation (2012)
Citizens Club of Springfield (2012)
Feedback Discussion with SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team) (2012)
TIFIA Workshop by FHWA (2013)
PRESS
The State Journal Register, Springfield, IL – January 8, 2012
The State Journal Register, Springfield, IL – February 9, 2012
Illinois Times, Springfield, IL – February 23 – Online news
Cover Story >> Cover Page, Inside pages 1, Inside Pages 2
Illinois Times, Springfield, IL – March 29 >> Inside Story
VOLUNTEER
Startup Ideation – Alumni Association US/Canada, Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology University (2020-2021)
Initiated early startup of the organization for professional and social networking of alumni in North America.
Organized and facilitated online events (panel discussion, fireside chat, gender equality and women empowerment series launch “From Her Perspective”), website design and content development, graphic support, social media marketing,
Photographic Documentation – Centre for Social Studies, Surat, Gujarat, India, (2001 – 2006)
Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) Policy Evaluation for Narmada Dam – Sardar Sarovar Project.
Photographic documentation of tribal areas to study existing housing pattern to guide R&R policy implementation (formulated by World Bank & Government of India) to design new settlement for PAFs (Project Affected Families)
An Action Research Project – Critical study of villages in North Gujarat experiencing frequent droughts and declining water resources with particular attention to its impact on the status of women.
INTERNSHIP
(Total 1 year)
Urban Design Intern – Center for Research & Development Unit, CEPT University, India, (Apr. 2006 – Aug. 2006)
City Lake development project – Design & detail construction drawings.
Architecture Intern – Ar. Dean D’cruz, Goa, India, (Jun. 2002 – Dec. 2002)
Design details, construction drawings, hand rendered sketches, client Meetings, site visits.
Freelance Landscape Projects, India, (2004)
Pent House Terrace Garden, Garden as an extension of a villa.
SELECTED ACADEMIC PROJECTS
Urban Design:
- Urban Design Thesis – Redevelopment of Railway Station Precinct – Transit Design – Rail and Bus station area redevelopment connecting multi-modal transit center with surrounding urban fabric. Place making of public realm with mixed-use development and walkable streetscape design. Design idea included area development through spatial restructuring, transportation details, public plaza insertion, existing station building alterations, informal sectors accommodation.
- Urban Extension – Envisioning urban fringe areas with ecological sensitivity and environmental approach. Urban Agriculture as a tool to design expanding urban boundaries.
Architecture:
- Campus Planning – School of Micro-finance for Women – Architecture Thesis – School of Micro-finance for Women – An institutional campus design included research units, teaching units, and workshops for women with an on-site housing for students, faculty and staff. Design idea included library as a focal point of the campus, courtyard typology of buildings with colonnade hallways as a respond to hot tropical climate providing natural ventilation for indoor-outdoor spaces.
- Multifamily Housing Project (150 units) – An experimental prototype module with diverse housing types to create social inclusivity. Multiple square footage unit areas with studio/1-3 bed condominiums with balcony options in a single multistory building.
- Riverside Resort – Recreational project with outdoor landscape design at riverfront development.
- Multiplex Mall – Entertainment and retail project exploring indoor public space and façade design.
- Museum & Art Gallery – Space planning and architectural design for exhibits and public art displays.
- Residence – A luxury house with landscape design connecting indoor-outdoor spaces.
Urban Planning:
- Urban Development Planning Dissertation at UCL – ‘World Class Cities vs. Socially Just Cities’ – A conflicting Paradigm – Analyzed a federal urban development policy through the theoretical framework of social justice.
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Please feel free to drop me a line here or Email me @ sonineha3@yahoo.com