Zada Smith

Analyst

Zada is committed to supporting projects that center equitable city planning, economic revitalization, and sustainable growth to drive transformative change in cities.

Based in Atlanta, Zada supports a range of public and private sector clients by lending her expertise as an experienced urban planner and designer. Zada has helped advance equitable economic development projects, policy research, and site selection across multiple cities for both public and private sector clients with advanced skills in community engagement, mapping/visualization, and equitable governance. Since joining HR&A in 2021, she has contributed to the development of city economic development policies, community engagement campaigns, rigorous site analysis and selection, and equitable strategic plans. This includes advancing implementation of transformative internal and public-facing initiatives such as City of Dallas Economic Development Policy (2021), the City of Dallas Incentive Policy, Resetting LA City to Meet Urgent Community Needs, Talking Transition: Oakland, and the Dallas Convention Center Masterplan.

While in graduate school, Zada also served as a contractor for HR&A where she supported clients focused on the feasibility of public options in The City as well as assisting with a strategic plan for embedding equity within a private firm. In addition, during her undergraduate program, Zada interned at the One Eleuthera Foundation, where she conducted research on food resources and mapped COVID-19 impacts in The Bahamas.

Zada holds a Master of Science in Urban Design and City Planning from University College London. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, with honors, and a Certificate in Metropolitan and Urban Studies from the University of Georgia.