Tom Walsh (he/him/his)

Principal
Positive Urban Plans

Tom Walsh MRTPI, MIPI is an urban planner who has worked in the public, private and semi-state sectors. As the founder of Positive Urban Plans, he focuses on how planning policy can leverage improved social and environmental outcomes. A member of the Royal Town Planning Institute’s International Committee, volunteer with the American Planning Association’s Houston Chapter and President of the Irish Business Network of Houston, he supports planning at local, international and entrepreneurial levels. He was previously vice chair of planning policy for Heads of Planning Scotland and a board member for the London Regional Assembly of the RTPl.

Tom’s has worked in Ireland, Australia, southeast Asia, the Emirates, the UK and the USA. He has worked on a wide variety of projects; the urban renewal of areas with extreme deprivation, precinct structure plans, national planning frameworks, strategic and local development plans, the just transition and capacity building for community groups. He has always placed the needs and rights of local communities at the centre of these plans, projects and strategies.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Spatial Planning and Environmental Management from the Technology University of Dublin and a master’s in Environmental Sustainability from University College Dublin.

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Presentation(s):

• Bridging Democratic Deficits: Global Experts, North American Action

  Sunday, April 26, 2026
  10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT