Nick Copeland

Nick Copeland leads Arup’s Digital Water practice in Canada, bringing a systems-level approach to climate-resilient water infrastructure that bridges traditional engineering with digital technology. Holding a Master of Philosophy in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge, Nick is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and Nova Scotia, as well as a Chartered Engineer in the UK. Throughout his career across North America and Europe, he has specialized in hydraulic modeling, flood resilience, stormwater management, and green infrastructure, establishing a strong track record of transitioning isolated utility projects into data-driven, integrated systems.

Nick has played a pivotal role in delivering several of Canada’s most significant urban transformations and transit developments. As the Drainage and Stormwater Lead for the $5 billion Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, he directs stormwater design and regulatory alignment across complex, multi-agency stakeholders. He also leads the stormwater strategy for the massive Downsview Redevelopment, oversees Toronto Water’s Geospatial Data Platform (GDAS) implementation, and contributed to Toronto’s Growing Green Streets program. By synthesizing utility constraints, green infrastructure design, geospatial analysis, and social equity into practical municipal frameworks, Nick enables major urban centers to scale sustainable infrastructure efficiently. Prior to his work in Canada, he helped deliver the award-winning Llanelli catchment program in the UK, leveraging digital optioneering and hydraulic modeling to replace conventional storage-heavy solutions—delivering a £98 million approach that drastically cut costs, carbon footprint, and flood risk compared to a £377 million alternative.

Beyond his project leadership, Nick drives digital innovation by embedding GIS platforms, digital twins, automation, and AI-enabled workflows into complex engineering tasks. As Chair of the Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO) Intelligent Water Solutions Committee and Arup’s Americas Water Skills Network Leader, he actively fosters cross-industry collaboration between utilities, technology providers, and consultants. A dedicated mentor to early-career engineers and students, Nick is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership style, technical excellence, and dedication to building long-term capability across the infrastructure sector.