About Us
PEACH Research Unit is part of Dalhousie University’s School of Planning in Halifax, NS. We are a team of dedicated faculty members, students, and partners who lead and support projects exploring how planning can better achieve more equitable, accessible, and healthy communities. Our work aims to inform urban design and planning practices that shape the places in which we live, work, and play.
We believe in learning through collaboration and first-hand experience. A big part of our research is learning from those who have personal knowledge of the barriers that exist in the built environment. We are very thankful to those who volunteer with us to engage with community members and conduct research activities.
Our Team Members
Mikiko Terashima, PhD
Lead Researcher
Mikiko is an Associate Professor at the Dalhousie School of Planning, cross-appointed with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. Mikiko’s research interests centre around methods of measuring various social and built environmental forces that create systematic inequalities in health and well-being among different groups of people across different places. One of her current areas of research involves investigations of spatial accessibility to services necessary for the population to maintain health and well-being such as food outlets and primary health services. Another area of interest for Mikiko deals with a different kind of accessibility — the built environment that enables or hinders the use of space by individuals with different types and levels of abilities (primarily individuals with different sensory impairments and older persons).
Katherine Deturbide, MPlan
Doctoral Student/Research Analyst
Katherine has been a research analyst at the PEACH Research Unit since graduating with a Masters in Planning in 2020. Her work at PEACH largely consists of spatial mapping, quantitative analysis in accessible design and community planning, workshop/focus group facilitation, and walkability/rollability research. She is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in interdisciplinary studies at Dalhousie, where she will investigate how the various roles in the planning and development process contribute to the provision of accessible housing in Nova Scotia.
Benjamin Kinsey
Project Coordinator
Ben is a current Master of Divinity student at the Atlantic School of Theology. Prior to his theological studies, Ben obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Laurentian University. Through his theological background, Ben has developed a lifelong passion for growing healthy, inclusive, and accessible communities for all. He is very interested in fusing his theological studies with his work at PEACH, and has a particular interest in accessible and inclusive third places such as churches and spiritual gathering places.
Malsha Jayalath
Research Assistant
Malsha is currently pursuing a Master of Planning at Dalhousie University, following the completion of an Honours Bachelor of Science in Town & Country Planning. She has a strong passion for sustainable urban development, with particular interests in creating comprehensive neighbourhoods, urban design, and community planning.
Mo Li
Research Assistant
Mo is a Master of Planning student at Dalhousie University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in GIS. before pursuing planning, worked at a consulting firm where she recognized gaps in accessibility for people with disabilities. Mo is now joining PEACH to apply her GIS expertise to accessibility projects and promote inclusive design.
Mona Sadeghian
Research Assistant
Mona began her Master of Planning Studies (MPS) at Dalhousie University in September 2024. Before that, she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Architecture. Her interests focus on accessible design, disability-friendly and age-friendly design, as well as design strategies that promote equitable and healthy communities.
Kate Clark, MPlan
PEACH Affiliate Member
Kate has been performing research with Dalhousie’s School of Planning since graduating with her Master of Planning and becoming a founding member of the PEACH Research Unit in 2018. Her current research interests explore community-level indicators of accessibility (e.g., availability of accessible housing, walk-and-rollability) and best practices for shaping environments that are inclusive of community members with disabilities and older adults. Kate coordinates and contributes to all PEACH products by performing primary research and analysis, conducting community outreach, and collaborating closely with community partners. Kate has recently contributed to research projects looking at methods of valuation for accessible developments, and the operationalization of sense of place for planning communities.
Monica Satyajit Sathe
Research Assistant
Monica began her studies in the Master of Planning program at Dalhousie University in 2024. With a bachelor’s degree in architecture, she has a growing interest in knowing how spaces evolve, and how cities and communities can be planned to make them inclusive and welcoming. Additionally, she enjoys being creative and continues to develop her graphic design skills, while also aiming to strengthen her skills in GIS applications.
Atharv Vinod Khapne
Research Assistant
Atharv is a Master of Planning student at Dalhousie University with a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and a year of professional experience in Private and Public Sector. He has a keen interest in community development and is passionate about how spaces influence social interaction, inclusivity, and everyday urban life.
Aya Elgendi
Research Assistant
Aya is a Master of Architecture candidate at Dalhousie University and an experienced architectural designer committed to creating inclusive, sustainable urban spaces. With a focus on accessibility and equity, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every project. Her work spans residential and public developments, always emphasizing design that welcomes individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and races.
Rabin Kaini
Research Assistant
Rabin holds a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University, Western Regional Campus, Lamachaur, Pokhara, and is pursuing a Master of Planning Studies at Dalhousie University from September 2025. At the PEACH Lab, he explores inclusive planning approaches in resource-constrained settings, focusing on how planners can address physical ability–based discrimination, ableist attitudes, and accessibility barriers. He brings extensive experience in GIS, feasibility studies, residential design, and construction management, combining technical experience with a commitment to equity and inclusive design.
Chun Fan
Research Assistant
Chun Fan is a Master of Planning student at Dalhousie University. With a background in Landscape Architecture and experience in architectural design, cultural heritage preservation, and urban planning, she brings a multidisciplinary lens to her work. At PEACH, Chun supports projects that center community voices and promote accessibility, equity, and health in the built environment. She is passionate about creating spaces where everyone can thrive, drawing on her skills in CAD, GIS, Photoshop and 3D modeling.
Partners and Collaborators
As part of our research, we have formed several valuable partnerships with decision-makers, educators, and experts in the fields of planning and accessibility. These partnerships build shared knowledge and understanding of the barriers to, and solutions for, inclusion and accessibility in the built environment.
Some of our partners include:
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate;
- The Rick Hansen Foundation;
- Community Links Nova Scotia;
- reachAbility;
- Halifax Regional Municipality, Planning and Development Department; and,
- Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
