The firm was legally established this year, however, I have been providing independent consultant services together with employment-based services since 2018. Some significant projects and employment experiences that have contributed to my skills and expertise are,
Onboard Transit Passenger Survey
Client: CJI Research
Location: Durham-Raleigh, North Carolina and Westchester County, New York
Date: 2018-2019
Supervised contracted staff to manage systemwide onboard transit survey data collection from current passengers. In total, over 10,000 surveys were collected. I ensured quality data collection, trained and supervised contracted staff, and managed staff communications and conflicts. I also assisted with data analysis and report writing.
Village of Johnstown Online Comprehensive Plan
Client: Burton Planning Services
Location: Village of Johnstown, Ohio
Date: 2018
My role was to develop an interactive online website with features for public engagement to convert the Comprehensive Plan to a “living” document. I also helped conduct research, prepare maps, design the plan document, and draft measurable goals, outcomes, and actions of the plan elements. The goal of the complete plan was to help guide the Village and public agencies, as well as private organizations as they prepare detailed plans, programs, and ordinances for the Village over the next several years.
Associate Planner for various planning projects
Employer: Burton Planning Services
Location: Westerville, Ohio
Date: 2020-Present
As an employee working remotely, I provide support in various planning projects such as transportation plans, comprehensive plans and policies, hazard mitigation plans, e-learning development, public engagement, GIS analysis and mapping, and research and writing. I also manage and assist with business development services in the company.
Remote Academy Learning Service Development
Client: Open Architecture Collaborative Canada
Location: Toronto, Canada
Date: 2020-Present
I advise on the development of a virtual learning experience for architects, planners, and social designers based in Toronto. I assist with strategy development, community outreach, and quantitative and qualitative feedback analysis.
On-Call Planning Services
Client: Jay Pitter Placemaking
Location: Toronto, Canada
Date: 2020-2021
I provided research and writing services for equity-based placemaking studies and initiatives led by Jay Pitter, International Placemaker and ex-Bousfield Distinguished Visitor in Planning. I supported the development of reports and case studies on projects based in Denver and Vancouver.
Digital Infrastructure Plan, City of Toronto
Employer: LURA Consulting
Location: Toronto, Canada
Date: 2019-2020
I assisted with the development and implementation of public engagement strategy for the Phase 1 consultations for the City of Toronto’s Digital Infrastructure Plan. I supervised event logistics and helped execute public events in locations across the city including the City Hall, assisted with the development of surveys and communication materials, analyzed data, and prepared summary reports.
Orange Township Land Use Comprehensive Plan
Client: Planning and Zoning, Orange Township, Ohio
Location: Orange Township, Ohio
Date: 2017
Adopted in November 2018, the Plan for Orange Township was completed by a team of eight graduate students as a part of the Academic Studio work. I led the public engagement team, organized open house events, facilitated round table discussions and presented the findings to the public. I also conducted research and drafted complete sections of the final report.
Public speaking and training
I have delivered training and talks on subjects like Urban Mobility in Smart Cities (2021), Survey collection methodology (2018-2019), Project Scheduling and Time Management (2012-2016), and presented plans and studies to diverse communities.
Writing, Design, and Journalism
I write short articles about cities, communities, and urban initiatives for urbanism related news and views platforms. I prepare supplementary graphics, maps, and other communication materials to convey complex messages effectively. Some work examples are:
Ohio Department of Transportation Statewide Transportation Planning Newsletter, Spring 2019
How Community Engagement is key to fight Urban Sustainability Challenges
How public spaces can be redesigned to make ‘unlocking’ safe in Bengaluru
Visual Stories and Articles
About 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual and over 60% of people are visual learners. In order to make learning from lengthy papers and articles easier, I convert them into visual stories and animated explainer videos.
COVID-19 Bengaluru App (closed)
Created and Managed: Ruchi Agarwal
Location: For Bengaluru, with love from Toronto!
Date: March – April, 2020
The onset of COVID-19 pandemic that brought a country of 1.3 billion people to a lockdown overnight, demanded quick response. To help create awareness in Bengaluru’s communities essential resources, this multilingual web-based App was created. It contained hospitals/clinics and doctors’ contacts, helpline numbers, information on essential services, community initiatives, fundraisers, volunteering opportunities, and events and activities to do while socially isolating. It was mentioned by The Times of India within the first week, and by the third week it had over 1,500 users and was reused and adapted by several COVID-19 efforts across the Country.
