Douglas holds a Doctor of Design degree specializing in planning from Harvard University, and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Manitoba. For over 25 years as CEO of O2 Planning + Design, Douglas directed the firm’s work in landscape architecture, planning, and urban design. He has served as an instructor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design as is a regular visiting critic at the University of Calgary, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Douglas is a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects from which he received numerous awards including the CSLA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

Douglas is a founding member and current Chair of the SAFE Design Council, a not-for-profit aimed at reducing the risk of crime through informed design. His pioneering projects in the field of Geodesign have coupled Geographic Information Systems modelling with design and planning processes. His current work with SAFE Design focuses on multi-scale spatial risk assessment and contemporary design that mitigates the risk and fear of crime.