Mark van der Zalm

Biography

Mark is the founding Principal of van der Zalm and associates (VDZ+A) in Vancouver – Canada. He has over two decades of working experience in Canada, the USA, China, and Europe. Mark is recognized as a Global leader in Action Sports facility design and City-wide Strategic Planning for Skateboarding and Bike infrastructure. Mark has presented on panels across North America advocating for greater appreciation for “Tactical Recreation” and diversity in programming, and support for youth culture.

Since graduating from LAEP at USU, Mark has developed a practice that employs over 35 landscape architects, civil engineers, and urban forestry professionals. The firm has received National recognition and awards for Public Park design and planning. Mark has served as President of the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects – overseeing the organization’s 10-year strategic plan. Mark is president-elect of the Pacific Parkland Foundation, a charitable ‘arm’ of Metro- Vancouver Parks. Mark has been a member of the LAEP advancement board, and currently sits as a member of the Heritage review board for the Township of Langley – his hometown.

Seminal projects through Mark’s career include Yingkou waterfront design, Yingkou, China, Holland Park – City of Surrey’s first downtown ‘Urban Park’, City of Arlington, TX skateboarding master plan, The Forks Plaza – Winnipeg, Manitoba, City of Vancouver Green Stormwater Strategy, Linkoping community skate park – Sweden. City of Cardiff, Wales - Urban Skateboarding strategy, White Rock Pier Plaza, Rocky Point Waterfront Park, and The Northern Gateway Conceptual Master plan – Penticton, BC.

Mark enjoys working with his staff, interacting on complex projects that require collaboration, ingenuity, and bravery! Developing the firm, and overseeing the work of his staff has been the most rewarding aspects of professional life to date.