Blake Klotz

Aspiring Humanitarian Architect – Moved by artistic expression in tangible forms, philosophical perspectives, and the never-satisfying art of surfing. I desire to research and develop practical and metaphysical beneficent methods to support evolving global climate change migration needs. More specifically, I am looking to understand how architecture backed by geospatial software can planfully preempt and/or possibly alleviate pressures for humanitarian infrastructure.

RELEVANT COURSES

GEOG461 – Advanced GIS, Considered both practical and theoretical questions of interpretation of GIS in the context of particular problems and real data sets. Course included lab use of ArcGIS software.

URBS480 – Impact Assessment, Studied and applied the impacts of projects on urban and suburban communities and the environment within the context of environmental protection legislation.

URBS393 – Law and Regulation in Urban Planning, Addressed the major bodies of legislation relevant to urban plans, local development plans, environmental protection, agricultural land preservation, heritage, and economic development. Developed an understanding of the Canadian framework for development control and direct intervention at municipal, regional and provincial levels.

URBS433 – Advanced Urban Laboratory, Reviewed current theory and practices to develop and apply appropriate simulated interventions.

EXPERIENCE

UNESCO Clayoquot Bioreserve Trust Fund, B.C. Canada – GIS Analyst (volunteer)

June 2020 – July 2021

Produced Land-Use and Forest Standing Age maps for Indigenous-led wildlife corridor stewardship projects. The sole responsibility for sourcing, geo-processing, and presenting the desired scientific data.

Youth Fuzion, Montreal, Que. Canada — Environmental Design Coordinator

October 2019 – June 2020

Lead design workshops at F.A.C.E art school Montreal, for grade 4-6 classes. Learned how to carry individual responsibility in project creation and implementation – while working alongside a team.

EDUCATION

Concordia University, Montreal, Canada — Specialization in Urban Planning with a minor in Geospatial Technology

September 2017 – June 2021

City Studio x Concordia, Jurors Award 2020 – Year long-term project in Urban Design

2x award winner (1st & 3rd) – Best overall Geospatial systems term project

Faculty of Arts & Science Dean’s List, 2019-2020

TRAVELS (Decided to travel abroad as academia become virtual, growing as global citizen)

Central America – 6 months worked for a local surfboard shaper, learned Spanish and used film photography to express experience.

Tofino – California – 2-month road trip along the west coast of North America. Desired to experience cascading architecture and societal ideals along the perimeter of a continent.

Morocco, Namibia, Senegal – (Current) – Desiring to experience different global contexts, currently studying urban systems in the land of Muslim tradition, French influence, and Moroccan Culture.