Rick Abelson

Biography

Rick is renowned for creating competitive, smart city solutions that are helping people achieve better lives around the world. An original thinker and industry icon, he is breaking new ground in developing large scale, renewable energy-based master plans, ecological industrial parks, destination attractions, mixed-use town centers, urban infill and sustainable new communities – each time delivering a unique and culturally significant sense of place with a huge value proposition. As Global Director for CH2M’s Urban Environments & Sports, Rick makes sure that our multidisciplinary competitive tools, systems, creative people and quality positively influence and inspire every community we serve. He also deeply values the role he plays in leading and mentoring our master planners and urban designers sharing, “I encourage our younger, most talented planners to take the reins on significant global projects, reassuring them there is a safety net for reaching out and testing their ideas. I love encouraging and guiding them through projects and watching them succeed. Their pride becomes my pride.” Having planned an estimated USD$68 billion in new projects worldwide – as both a client and consultant – Rick brings a unique perspective to projects. He says master planning begins with understanding empathy and realizing that people generally strive to lead uncomplicated lives. “I enjoy travelling and meeting with our clients in their home countries and living their lives for a while. I am passionate about perfecting how empathy works to solve complex issues, without bias.” Which is one reason why our clients love working with Rick.

Research Interest

renewable energy-based master plans, ecological industrial parks, destination attractions, mixed-use town centers, urban infill