colton johnson
My name is Colton Johnson, and I serve as a Planner at HWC Engineering in Indianapolis, IN. Since joining HWC in May 2024, I have contributed to a range of impactful projects, including comprehensive plans for Zionsville, Whiteland, Carlisle, and Moores Hill, as well as the South Hammond Station Neighborhood Plan. These experiences have strengthened my expertise in public engagement, GIS, ESRI software, the Adobe Creative Suite, project coordination, and professional writing.
I hold both a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I spent nearly five years honing my skills and developing a strong foundation in the field. My passions within planning center on land use, zoning, physical design, and especially data visualization through GIS.
My professional background includes internships with Intellectual Concepts in Atlanta, GA, and the City of Champaign, providing me with valuable perspectives from both the private and public sectors. These roles deepened my proficiency in GIS and Adobe tools, broadened my understanding of core planning principles, and reinforced my commitment to thoughtful, well-designed communities. I am also an active member of Strong Towns and the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association.
My graduate capstone project deeply influenced my beliefs of many fundamental ideals of cities, planning, and urban economics, as my research strengthened my passion and understanding of a Strong Towns approach to how cities, and by extension, its residents, build wealth. Through my research, I conducted a return-on-investment (ROI) analysis for the City of Champaign, evaluating the relationship between tax revenues and infrastructure maintenance costs. By mapping areas of positive and negative ROI, I illustrated how fiscal productivity aligns with—and is influenced by—the built environment.
I am originally from the Northern Atlanta suburbs, where my interests in land use and transportation in one of the most sprawling region in the United States guided me to Urban Planning.
Additionally, I am a triplet (we are nowhere near identical) in which the three of us are spread out across the country in California, Virginia, and of course, Indiana. I enjoy working out, biking, hiking, reading, photography, and exploring new cities and regions.
based in downtown indy
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based in downtown indy ★
As a downtown resident living in the beautiful Chatham-Arch neighborhood, living car-free is easy and completely changes the way I experience the city. Instead of sitting in traffic or worrying about parking, I hop on my bike and use the Monon Trail, Cultural Trail, and other greenways and paths to get to almost wherever I need to go—whether it’s grabbing groceries, biking to work, meeting friends for coffee, or heading to a concert event. The trails feel like my own network of “bike highways,” connecting me to different neighborhoods while letting me enjoy tree-lined paths, public art, and the energy of people walking, running, and riding alongside me. It’s not just a way to get around—it’s become part of my daily rhythm and one of the best parts of living here.
“You don’t look like you’re triplets”
-Every new person we meet
Being a triplet is a core part of my identity. There’s a unique bond that comes from navigating every stage of life together—from the first day of school to family vacations—always having two people who truly understand you.
We are spread across the county, with my brother in Arlington, VA, and sister in San Francisco, CA. While we are separated by distance, it’s still comforting to know there’s never a shortage of support, laughter, or shared memories.