Land Use Planner

Pamela O. Nkwantabisah
(Land Use Planner)

"I am committed to leaving a lasting impact by actively contributing and tirelessly working towards the creation of sustainable and inclusive communities where people and businesses can thrive and prosper."

Overview

Pamela is a seasoned and dedicated land use planner with diverse and comprehensive professional experience.

Pamela is an Assistant Planner with Miller, Miller & Canby’s Land Use and Zoning practice group, where she plays a critical role in analyzing and evaluating land use proposals, development plans, and zoning applications for projects throughout the state of Maryland. She has been part of award-winning teams for a variety of projects, earning honors from the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Maryland Department of Planning.

Pamela’s professional journey began as National Service Personnel at the Lands Commission Surveying and Mapping Division in Accra, Ghana. There she assisted in land survey and demarcation of land for various land use purposes. She utilized software including AutoCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS to prepare site plans, digitize and analyze maps, and review GIS data for accuracy.

Pamela’s passion for urban planning extends beyond her home country, as evidenced by her year long experience with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission — Montgomery County Planning Department in Wheaton. She began as a Planning Intern II in the Upcounty Division, where she actively participated in community outreach efforts. Pamela assisted in visioning workshops and facilitated the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Photo Contest. She also created informative maps, designed posters and directional signs, and shared Montgomery County resources with residents of Fairland and Briggs Chaney through follow-up communication.

Building on her experiences, Pamela progressed to become a Graduate Assistant with the Midcounty Division, playing a pivotal role in the Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life  and Science community engagement efforts, spearheading the collection and analysis of data from partnering organizations. Pamela utilized qualitative software NVIVO to conduct data analysis and presented the results to the Planning Board and the community.

Additionally, Pamela made significant contributions to the Wheaton Downtown study and the Great Seneca Plan by managing and updating 3D models in ArcGIS, Illustrating existing buildings and new developments in the Wheaton Plan area. She also prepared staff reports, created graphical educational materials on sustainability and played a key role in organizing the Fairland and Biggs Chaney Placemaking Festival.

In addition to her technical skills, Pamela possesses a wide range of software proficiencies, including Esri ArcMap, QGIS, ArcGIS, Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, NVIVO, Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Her attention to detail and organizational skills have consistently contributed to the success of her projects.

She holds a Master of Community Planning degree from the University of Maryland-College Park, where she gained a comprehensive understanding of various planning concepts and methodologies. Prior to her master’s program, Pamela was awarded a Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship and completed her Bachelor of Science in Geography at the University of Pécs in Pécs, Hungary. Her undergraduate studies provided her with a solid foundation in community development, project planning and management, GIS and regional policies.



Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Urban Land Institute, Washington. 2023 – Present
  • Committee Member, Community Service Committee, Young Leaders Group (YLG); Urban Land Institute, Washington, 2024 – Present
  • Pathways to Inclusion 2024 – 2025 Cohort, Urban Land Institute, Washington, 2024 – Present
  • Member, American Planning Association (APA), 2021-Present
  • Member, APA National Capital Area Chapter, 2021 – Present
  • Member, APA County Planning Division, 2021 – Present
  • Member, APA Housing & Community Development Division, 2021- Present
  • Volunteer, APA City Planning and Management Division, 2021 – Present
  • Chair, Chapter Engagement Committee, APA City Planning and Management Division, 2024 – Present
  • Member, APA Planning & Law Division, 2023 – Present
  • Chapter Administrator, Lambda Alpha International George Washington Chapter, 2025 – Present

 

 


Education

  • University of Maryland-College Park, Master of Community Planning, 2023
  • University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary, BS, 2020

Honors and Awards

  • 2024 APA Maryland Chapter Planning Award for Community Engagement/Education
    American Planning Association, Fall 2024
    Project: The Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science; Team: Montgomery County Planning Department
  • 2024 APA Maryland Chapter Planning Award for Long Range Planning
    American Planning Association, Fall 2024
    Project: Fairland & Briggs Chaney Master Plan; Team: Montgomery County Planning Department
  • 2023 Maryland Sustainable Growth Award (Honorable Mention)
    Maryland Department of Planning, Winter 2023
    Project: Scenario Planning for Restorative Justice in Lakeland 2022; Team: University of Maryland, Fall 2022 Class
  • Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship; 2017-2020
  • Dean’s Matching Scholarship; 2022
  • Samuel LeFrak Award; 2023