Richard is an experienced everyday tourist. Over the last 30 years, his day job has taken him from scientist to director/curator of a public art gallery to executive director of a downtown business association to director of a 3D-animation studio to consultant. All the while – when travelling for work or pleasure – he has honed his flaneuring skills.
For the last 10 years, he has written on topics ranging from public art, parks, pathways, plazas and urban revitalization in Canadian cities to Dubai’s architecture and Frankfurt’s so-called green beach.
He has served on numerous boards and committees.
Board and committee involvement (specific to tourism and urban issues):
2004 - 2012
Tourism Destination Region Calgary (chair)
2005 - 2009
Calgary Public Art Board (chair)
2006 - 2008
Calgary Planning Commission (citizen-at-large)
2002 - 2006
International Downtown Association Board (Canadian member)
2000 - 2006
Calgary Homeless Foundation Board (member-at-large)
2000 - 2004
Tourism Calgary Board (chair, governance committee)
1998 - 2000
Prince’s Island Master Plan Committee (co-chair)
1986 - 1990
Calgary Allied Arts Foundation (chair)
1986 - 1988
Western Canada Art Gallery Association (president)
In 2000, Richard was named Calgarian of the Year by Cityscope magazine (now Avenue magazine) for his passion in championing downtown revitalization, especially Stephen Avenue Walk. In 2005, he received an Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of his leadership and community involvement.
Richard is as passionate an urban flaneur in his home city of Calgary, Alberta, as he is in New York City or Hong Kong. His monthly column in the Calgary Herald's (Saturday Condo) section on urban living, urban design and development is widely read. He can be followed on Twitter @everydaytourist.
