Nina-Marie Lister

Nina-Marie Lister is a Professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), and a Visiting Professor of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. She serves as Director of the Ecological Design Lab at TMU and Founding Principal of PLANDFORM. With expertise in ecological design, urban ecology, and resilience planning, her work bridges academic research, professional practice, and community engagement. She holds a BA Hons and MScPI, and is a registered professional planner (MCIP, RPP) with honorary ASLA membership.

Her research focuses on landscape infrastructure, biodiversity, and ecological processes, particularly in urban contexts. She leads projects funded by the Canadian Tri-Council (SSHRC) and the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS). Notable contributions include co-editing Projective Ecologies (2020) and The Ecosystem Approach (2008), and authoring over 100 publications. She curates exhibits like XING - (re), connecting landscapes at the Toronto Zoo and advises initiatives such as the Biophilic Cities Network.

Dr. Lister’s accolades include the Margolese National Design for Living Prize and recognition as an 'Inspired Educator'. She chairs the SSHRC Banting Post-Doctoral Fellowship Committee and sits on boards like Waterfront Toronto’s Design Review Panel. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses complex socio-ecological systems, emphasizing resilience and biophilic design to advance sustainable urban futures.