Michael Mears
Associate Principal, AICP, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP
An advocate for equitable planning and engagement that elevates diverse voices and ideas.
Michael Mears is an Associate Principal based in Cleveland, Ohio, with more than 20 years of experience leading community-focused planning, urban design, and public engagement efforts across the Midwest and beyond. As both a registered Landscape Architect and certified Planner, he specializes in helping communities understand their unique strengths, define a shared vision, and translate ideas into actionable strategies and projects.
Michael has led a diverse range of initiatives, including regional and comprehensive plans; mobility, trail, and urban design projects; transit-oriented development (TOD) studies; and parks and recreation plans, from design through construction. His work is rooted in a deep appreciation for place and a commitment to solutions that reflect local character, community priorities, and long-term opportunity.
A Cleveland native, Michael draws inspiration from the legacy cities of the Midwest and their ongoing evolution. He is particularly passionate about equitable planning and engagement processes that build consensus, elevate diverse perspectives, and foster meaningful community ownership. By integrating planning, public engagement, and landscape architecture, he helps communities develop policies, plans, and designs that strengthen neighborhoods and deliver lasting impact.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Urban Planning, Design, and Development from Cleveland State University. He currently serves as Chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Regional Product Council and as a member of the Shaker Heights Landmarks Commission, where he lives with his wife and two children.
