Kate Mackie

Kate joined MPC’s Zoning and Land Use Assessment Project team as a Research Assistant in January 2025. She is currently enrolled in UIC’s Master of Urban Planning and Policy Program, specializing in spatial planning. As part of her graduate studies, Kate is involved in research at UIC’s School of Public Health investigating life expectancy disparities across Chicago’s 77 community areas. She provides analytical support for projects exploring exposure to neighborhood violence and grocery store access as predictors of chronic illness. Skilled in GIS and geospatial analysis, Kate is motivated to continue advancing data-driven, multidisciplinary insights toward sustainable urban solutions in her work at MPC.

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental geography and sustainable development from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and returned to her native Chicagoland in 2022. Before enrolling at UIC, Kate worked in outreach and community engagement at the Chicago Public Art Group, nurturing her interests in community arts and placemaking. Kate currently lives in Logan Square, where she enjoys volunteering at her local yoga studio in her free time.