Michael von Hausen
Michael von Hausen brings more than 40 years of teaching, training, facilitating and working around the world in the areas of land development facilitation, planning, finance and urban design. Michael is one of Canada’s leading urban planning facilitators and urban design professionals. He is president of MVH Urban Planning & Design Inc., an international consulting practice in sensitive land development planning, sustainable urban design and community partnerships in Canada, United States, China, Russia and Mexico. His firm has completed more than 400 projects and received more than 30 international and provincial awards over 25 years.
Michael combines his practice with cutting-edge research, writing and teaching. He facilitates four courses for the School of Development of the Urban Development Institute, Vancouver. Michael is an adjunct professor at the University of the Fraser Valley. He was curriculum coordinator of the award-winning Simon Fraser University Urban Design Certificate Program teaching in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa for nearly 20 years.
Michael has published five books. His most recent book—Real Estate Development Primer: An Introduction to the Development Process—introduces the complexity of the development and approvals processes. His books are available on Amazon.ca or digitally on his firm’s website at mvhinc.com.
Michael received his master’s degree from Harvard University in urban design with a specialty in real estate development economics. He is a registered professional planner, landscape architect, LEED® Accredited Professional, as well as a certified Public Participation Practitioner (IAP2). Michael is a Fellow of both the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects.
Michael was recently recognized by the Who’s Who Directories in New York as one of the Top Professionals in North America for 2026 to 2027. In 2023, Michael’s firm was recognized with two Awards of Excellence by the Planning Institute of British Columbia for the Grand Forks Official Community Plan and the Garrison Crossing Neighbourhood in Chilliwack, B.C. In 2020, Michael received the Research and Innovation Award by the Ontario Society of Landscape Architects.
Michael is passionate about cities and community design. He is a yoga enthusiast, avid hiker and cyclist. He spends time at his property in Costa Rica exploring, sketching, writing and thinking about ways of making this world an even more extraordinary place.