Rose Freeman, Associate Planner
Rose Freeman works with communities to help plan for and design green space and places. She also assists local governments in creating standards and codes for incorporating natural green infrastructure. She is currently working on specifications for protecting urban trees during and after development. She is passionate about helping communities mitigate the effects of climate change through innovative planning and co-created design.
Her position just before joining GIC was with the University of Virginia’s Institute for Engagement and Negotiation as a graduate research assistant for the Resilience Assessment Feasibility Tool (RAFT) where she practiced effective community engagement and facilitation, helping Virginia communities meet their resilience goals. During her time at UVA, Rose also worked on projects centered on riparian design and landscape remediation.
Prior to graduate school, Rose worked in the environmental field in both the private and public sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech, with her capstone research focused on utilizing urban forests to mitigate urban heat islands. She holds a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning with a concentration in Landscape Architecture and Land Use Planning from the University of Virginia.
In her free time, you can find Rose exploring local streams and rivers, practicing yoga, painting and enjoying live music.