Susan Carter

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT SUSAN CARTER

Neuroscience reveals that our built environments directly influence stress levels, social interaction, cognitive performance, and even long-term health. In today’s cities, this makes designing for brain health and emotion not just desirable but essential. With more than three decades of experience in large-scale commercial and mixed-use developments, I have shaped a practice rooted in innovation, resilience, and human-centered design. My current work explores how principles of neuroscience can guide the creation of urban places that foster emotional health and collective wellbeing. I see the re-imagining of enclosed shopping centers not simply as redevelopment, but as an opportunity to reshape the urban landscape into environments that reduce stress, spark joy, and strengthen social bonds. Through thoughtful, evidence-based design, we can create mixed-use communities that elevate human experience while generating long-term value for both people and place. I am currently a Doctoral Candidate pursuing a DDes with the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary, where my research investigates the profound relationship between human experience and the economic value of creating places designed to foster joy, relaxation, and connection. I believe that if we can design large-scale mixed-use developments that people genuinely fall in love with—environments where families choose to grow, where meaningful relationships are formed, and where individuals feel restored and inspired—the benefits will extend far beyond the boundaries of the development itself. To achieve this, we must reimagine our priorities in the design of the built environment, recognizing that the pursuit of human wellbeing is not only a moral imperative but also a driver of enduring economic and social value.