How do you design a city that learns from people? Imagine a city that learns from the people who live within it. The best smart cities listen to how people move, what they need, where systems fall short and what makes everyday life easier. “Digital technologies are giving planners richer insight into how places are actually experienced,” explains Katie. “Combined with more accessible tools for community engagement, the insights make it possible to shape cities in collaboration with people.” That’s where good masterplanning starts. Big data is a powerful catalyst for better decisions. From movement patterns and environmental monitoring to public sentiment and service usage, granular data reveals how cities truly function. When this insight is paired with lived experience, local insight and on-the-ground observation, planning decisions shift from assumption-driven to evidence-led, improving outcomes at both the city and building scale. None of this works without trust. “If data isn’t transparent or handled responsibly, it won’t be trusted. Ethical governance must be embedded from the beginning,” says Katie. “Cities must be clear about what data is collected, how it’s used and who benefits. Used responsibly, artificial intelligence doesn’t replace human-centered design, it strengthens it.” Start with the outcome that matters most For Katie, technology must always serve a purpose, instead of innovation for its own sake. Katie focuses on where technology can deliver the greatest real-world impact. Sometimes that means starting with the fundamentals: sensors that improve energy performance, digital wayfinding that reduces friction in complex spaces or apps that connect people to local services. In other cases, it means supporting clients to look further ahead — shaping masterplans that can adapt to emerging technologies such as autonomous mobility or advanced infrastructure systems. Katie acts as an integrator, working across disciplines to embed digital services into broader strategies, masterplans and