Elijah Hughes practices as an urban designer and strategic planner at HDR Inc in Pittsburgh, PA. His award-winning professional work emphasizes prudent, sustainable, and forward-looking investment by public agencies to foster equitable and impactful outcomes. His SW PA transportation work includes transit-oriented communities and corridor planning for Pittsburgh Regional Transit and a 10-county multimodal transportation plan for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

Elijah was previously a researcher at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History where he published on the evolution of the mammalian brain and inner ear and was an adjunct faculty member of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture. Elijah received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University and is an EcoDistricts Accredited Professional. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Allegheny Land Trust.