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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how planners do their work, whether it is analyzing data, modelling zoning impacts, engaging with the public or simply drafting policies. The planning profession can no longer ignore the impacts of AI on planning practice and planners must decide how to engage with it. This webinar provides the practical knowledge you need to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven field. Learn how you can leverage AI to work smarter. Industry experts and peers will demonstrate how cutting-edge AI software applications can streamline your work and provide a framework for navigating this evolving landscape.

Welcome
Tom Sanchez, PhD, AICP
We are pleased to welcome Tom Sanchez, PhD, AICP as he joins us to set the tone for this webinar. As an urban planning expert, author, consultant and AI columnist for Planetizen, Tom invites conversation about how AI “will shape urban planning and how urban planners can shape AI”.  Tom believes it is essential that planners are not just “passive players in the AI revolution but active participants” who are aware of the ethical, privacy and accountability issues that this technology brings.  

AI in the Permitting Process
Leah Libsekal RPP, MCIP & Alex Kolsteren, City of Burnaby
This segment explores AI applications in the City of Burnaby’s Development Approvals Process (DAP), specifically using the Residential Permitting Reform as a case study. Combined with workflow updates, digital and AI-assisted reviews have helped the city considerably reduce residential permit wait times. Learn about the opportunities and challenges of this exciting initiative.

AI in Community Engagement
Kate Milne, Cardea Health Consulting
This segment draws on direct experience using AI for community engagement. This means synthesizing public input, improving accessibility, and streamlining analysis to give planners a grounded, honest look at what these tools actually do and where human judgment remains non-negotiable. We will work through real examples, surface the equity and trust questions the field needs to be asking, and leave with practical principles for using AI in engagement responsibly.

PIBC’s Intelligent Inventory
Krish Mehta, NeuraCities
PIBC launched the Intelligent Inventory in early 2026 as a way to assist local government and others to keep up with the proactive planning requirements of the BC government. The unprecedented need for quick, reliable, cross-jurisdictional access to plans, policies, and regulations has never been greater. Find out how the Intelligent Inventory is meeting the current needs of the planning profession and learn about the potential new applications and uses.

About Our Speakers
Tom Sanchez, PhD, AICP
Tom Sanchez is the author of the PAS Report "Planning for Artificial Intelligence" and the book AI for Urban Planning. After 30 years as a planning professor, he now works independently with planning agencies on AI readiness. 

Leah Libsekal RPP, MCIP
Program Manager, Development Applications, City of Burnaby
Leah leads development approvals modernization at the City of Burnaby, focusing on process improvement, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making. With more than 25 years of experience in planning, transportation, policy, and project management, Leah has helped lead Burnaby's award-recognized Development Approvals Process (DAP) program, advancing streamlined approvals, digital permitting, performance management, and continuous improvement practices. She is passionate about building practical, people-centered solutions that improve service delivery while supporting housing and community development

Alex Kolsteren RPP, MCIP
Planner, Strategic Initiatives, City of Burnaby
Alex is a multidisciplinary planner with over a decade of experience in strategic planning, land use development and approvals, urban design and rapid transit infrastructure. A key focus of his work has been around the application and integration between technical and design strategies and tools with organizational structures, processes and governance.

Kate Milne
Founder & Principal Consultant, Cardea Health Consulting
Kate Milne works with municipalities, government agencies, and large employers on healthy aging, accessibility planning, age-friendly community design, and workplace wellbeing. Kate is also co-founder of Cordata Intelligence, an AI startup connecting community members with age-friendly and accessibility resources while giving planners real-time accessibility data.

Krish Mehta
Co-Founder, NeuraCities
Krish Mehta is the founder of NeuraCities, an AI platform that lets planners and engineers work with GIS, data, and maps in plain language. Teams use it for planning, location intelligence, urban forestry, data digitization, and storm water engineering. NeuraCities built PIBC’s Intelligent Inventory, which helps planners search official community plans and zoning bylaws across BC and the Yukon. Krish holds a civil engineering degree from UBC.
 

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