Darsh Shah

About Darsh Shah

Designing data-driven, people-powered communities.\" As a multidisciplinary urban planner and community development strategist, I bring a passion for translating complex data into inclusive, actionable solutions that improve quality of life and drive equitable growth. With hands-on experience across municipal, regional, and rural contexts in both the U.S. and India, my work blends policy, design, spatial analysis, and public engagement to shape resilient, sustainable places. Whether leading public workshops for EPA-funded flood mitigation planning or developing award-winning story maps that enhance transparency and civic participation, I focus on building tools and processes that elevate community voices and inform effective planning. I’m most energized when I’m: Creating GIS maps, infographics, and dashboards that tell the story behind the data Facilitating stakeholder engagement and participatory design sessions Aligning public policy with spatial equity and sustainable growth Driving digital transformation in community engagement through online platforms and story maps Let’s connect if you’re working at the intersection of data, design, and public good, and want to reimagine how planning can better serve people. Top Core Competencies: • Comprehensive & Master Planning • Community Engagement & Participatory Design • Spatial Analysis & GIS Mapping • Digital Communication & Storytelling • Policy Research & Resilience Planning

Experience

1. Staff Planner

   Horsley Witten Group, Inc

   Nov 2023 — Present · US

   Deliver municipal and regional planning projects, including open space, hazard mitigation, and flood adaptation plans. Use participatory processes, mapping tools, and outreach strategies to align planning with local needs. Coordinate public workshops and digital engagement efforts to ensure inclusive feedback. Produce maps, infographics, and interactive tools that help communities visualize development scenarios and support transparent decision-making. Key Accomplishments: Created a Flood Mitigation Plan Story Map, increasing survey participation to 60% Facilitated 10+ public engagement events and 3 EPA workshops to incorporate community input

Education

• Anant Institute of Planning

  Bachelor in planning, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

  2014 — 2018

• University of Cincinnati

  Masters of Community planning, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning