School of Urban &

Letter from the Editors February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8 By Elise Willison and Viki Eric See you at the Reception in May! Greetings Fellow Alumni! About the editors: Elise Willison graduated Well, another year has passed, quickly, as in 1997 and is working with the Town of usual. A number of interesting articles are Niagara-On-The-Lake. to be found in this year’s edition of the Newsletter, including a discussion about Viki Eric graduated in 2003 and is working Ryerson’s Environmental & Applied with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Science Management Program, The Living Housing. Wall: an ecological sound barrier solution, a tribute to remember Peter Bennett, class of 1978, and teaching high school students about . Letter from the Chair

The RPA Committee is well underway on By Anthony Biglieri

preparations for this year’s Spring The Ryerson Planning Alumni Committee Reception, being held at the Arcadian Court (RPA) will be holding its 8th Annual in . The impetus, as always, is a Spring Reception on Tuesday, May 30, fundraiser for the Ryerson Planning Alumni 2006 at the Arcadian Court located in the Awards, which are presented to third and heart of the . fourth year Ryerson planning students.

With your continued support we have been This annual event continues to grow every able to increase this year’s awards. year with a loyal following of professional

planners, engineers, lawyers, alumni and As a reminder, we encourage you to update other members of the planning and your contact information with the Ryerson development industry. In 2005 the event Alumni Relations office. We all change brought together over 350 individuals for an residences and move around in Planning enjoyable evening of networking, positions. Please keep this database up to socializing, great food and some terrific date, as the RPA also uses this database for door prizes. Alumni also had the contacting alumni. Please visit the opportunity to “catch up” with fellow following link to update your profile. To classmates and talk to existing and past catch up with fellow alumni online, visit the professors of the faculty. latter link to sign on to RUonline.

RPA has continued their hard work this year www.ryerson.ca/alumni/update.html to deliver yet another fun filled evening. It www.ryerson.ca/alumni/community will again feature a buffet of superb catered

food, a fantastic jazz band that will

Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

entertain, chances to win great door prizes, News from the School of and we will be continuing with the “charity Planning gambling” - a highlight of last year’s event.

By David Amborski The event attracts overwhelming support from our Corporate and Municipal Sponsors. I am pleased to be writing my first Last year we reached our goal and we are Director’s report for the newsletter. I would hoping that this continues again for this like to inform the members of the alumni year. I cannot begin to stress how important that I have been appointed by Dean sponsorship is to the event as well as the Williams as the interim Director for the individual attendance from our profession School for a period of 18 months. My term and related fields. Also, I enjoy taking this officially began on January 1 st after Dr. Jim opportunity to showcase the future “stars” of Mars had completed his five-year term as our industry by presenting the Ryerson Director. Jim has now begun his post- Planning Alumni Awards at the Event. Last administrative leave for the next year. year’s recipients were Chun Chu and Reema Khanna. Having explained the transition, let me begin my report by thanking Dr. Jim Mars Thank you, to all those that attended our for his five years of effort and leadership in event last year. You helped make it a guiding the School of Urban & Regional tremendous success. We look forward to Planning. I would like to highlight several seeing you again this year – please bring of his significant and important your friends. Your participation makes this achievements during his term as Director. event a huge success for the School of Three of his most important Urban & Regional Planning and Ryerson accomplishments were developing and University. getting approval for the new PLAB and PLAD programs, increasing applications As Chair of the Ryerson Planning Alumni, I and consequently the quality of students would like take this opportunity to thank Dr. (most importantly into first year), and James Mars for his support during his term increasing our graduation rate. as Director of the School of Urban & Regional Planning. Also, I would like to We have now had two years of admissions extend my congratulations to the interim into the new PLAB and PLAD programs Director of the School of Urban & Regional with the first group graduating this spring. Planning – Mr. David Amborski and to the You may recall that the PLAB’s are new President of – Mr. applicants with a bachelor’s degree who Sheldon Levy . complete a two-year program in addition to a summer course to prepare their entry into Thank you for your continued support. I the program. The PLAD program is hope to see all of you at this year’s Spring supporting the Province’s initiative to Reception. For further information or if you develop articulation programs between are interested in participating on our community colleges and Universities. This Committee, please do not hesitate to contact two and one half year program plus the me at 416-693-9155 or by email at summer course admits qualified applicants [email protected]. from the Planning Technology programs

from Fanshaw and Mohawk Colleges. Sincerely, There are 41 PLAB’s spread across the last Anthony Biglieri, MCIP, RPP two years of the program and 12 PLAD’s. Chair of the Ryerson Planning Alumni

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Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

After the double cohort (elimination of professionals that are appointed by the Grade 13 in the high schools) we have had School to meet and give them professional first year classes numbering in the low 90’s advice regarding the delivery of its and very good quality applicants. The professional program. Each school at percentage of students graduating on time Ryerson appoints such a committee. The has been increased which is now an School of Urban & Regional Planning important performance measure for the appoints members from various facets of the University and consequently the School’s profession, including members of our funding. alumni.

I would also like to introduce our new tenure Every program at Ryerson is required to stream faculty member, Dr. Pamela undertake a periodic Program Review for Robinson , who began teaching in approval by the Academic Standards September. Pamela completed her M. PL at Committee of Academic Council. In the Queen’s University and her Ph.D. at the process of undertaking this review, the . She comes to us School of Urban & Regional Planning from teaching in the Urban and Regional typically consults and obtains feedback from Studies Program at Innis College where she the alumni. We will be seeking alumni received the CMHC award for teaching input as part of this review. excellence in Urban Sustainability in 2004. Her research and consulting interests are in I look forward to keeping in contact with all the areas of public consultation, urban members of the alumni and encourage each sustainability, and pedagogy. of you to stay in contact with the School and individual members of the Ryerson School We are also pleased to continue to have two of Urban & Regional Planning Alumni. We Adjunct Faculty members who provide look forward to your participation in the life lecturing and research support to the School. and development of the School by providing They are Paul Bedford , former Chief guest lectures, employment opportunities for Planner for the City of Toronto, and Dr. students as well as graduates, participating Mohammed Qadeer , former Director of the in studio projects as clients, and providing School of Urban and Regional Planning, work placements for our students. Queen’s University. David Amborski, Professor and Director As you may have read in the recent Ryerson [email protected] Alumni Magazine, Leslie Gash (SURP ’85) is among the latest group of inductees to the Alumni Wall of Achievement. She is being Environmental Management honoured for the work that she is doing as Education Built on Urban Housing Development Manager for the Toronto Community Housing Corporation in Planning the redevelopment of Regent Park. By Amanda Fowler During my term as Director, there are two I graduated from the Ryerson School of tasks that I will be undertaking that will Urban & Regional Planning in June of 2002. require input from the alumni. These are the In the fall of 2004 I was granted admission reconstitution of the School’s Advisory to the Environmental Applied Science and Committee, and undertaking the School’s Management Program (EnSciMan) in the required periodic Program Review. The School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson Advisory Committee is a group of University. I am amongst approximately 5

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Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

urban planning graduates that have entered degree of guidance for students that are this program to date. It is a program that has hoping to enter graduate studies in the new been designed to further and expand the course format replacing the senior planning (undergraduate) urban planning education, project. along with other students with educational backgrounds ranging from geography to the The combined education of an urban sciences. planning degree with a graduate degree in science and management really prepares you Upon entrance into the program there were to work in the planning field and understand many challenges mounted before me, what each of the different managers in including a prerequisite first year university planning bring to the table. It enables you to level math course. This seemed very understand the scientific aspect of how the daunting and was in preparation for the even environment works and how your plans will greater challenge of a required biology / affect the community, city, town or chemistry course in the curriculum. During ecosystem that you are working with and the first weeks of the program and while within. talking with former urban planning students that had entered the program before me I Amanda Fowler graduated in 2002 and is a learned that these courses would enhance graduate student in the EnSciMan program. nightmares and make me doubt my decision throughout the course of the ensuing semesters. But I was up for the challenge, eager to acquire a science background to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR! enhance my urban planning education. Any comments, stories and suggestions are always welcome! The challenges presented by this program Please contact the editors at were by no means unattainable and have [email protected] allowed me to realize that it is possible to excel in any area if you are willing to do the work. RYERSON PLANNING ALUMNI COMMITTEE In many ways the Urban Planning program really prepared me for a lot of the course Anthony Biglieri, RPA Chair, work and research in the EnSciMan The Biglieri Group, 1983 program. The senior studio courses prepare students in contacting and working with David Amborski, Ryerson SURP professionals and allow for the development Julie Brown, Ryerson University Advancement of organizational skills in a group setting. Adrianne Di Cresce, Ryerson Alumni Relations Viki Eric, MMAH, 2003 Under the guidance of a professor, students Amanda Fowler, Ryerson EnSciMan, 2002 learn how to prepare their own research Peter Jakovcic, Mobius Corp., 1998 approaches. The program also prepares you Sidonia Loiacono, University of Windsor, 2001 to be analytical and to lend Don Manlapaz, Giffels Design-Build, 2000 recommendations in a constructive and Peter Nikolakakos, Wood Bull, 1998 coherent manner. The senior planning Tom Rees, The Biglieri Group, 2002 project prepared me in compiling my own Maurizio Rogato, Solmar Development Corp, 2002 research and work effectively in an Leona Savoie, The Daniels Group, 1998 independent setting. Since graduating from Amy Shepherd, IBI Group, 1998 the Urban Planning program, the curriculum Paula Tenuta, GTHBA, 1998 has changed and now allows an even greater Elise Willison, Niagara-On-The-Lake, 1997

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Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

The Living Wall – An visually attractive, landscaped wall that Ecological Sound Barrier provides residents with a noise controlled environment. Solution (Walls Can’t Speak But They Live)

By Maurizio Rogato

Willows Walk (Phase 2) is a typical quality development by Solmar Development Corp. made up of street townhouses and located within the growing Town of Whitby. Typical being the operative word, in the sense that this development does not differ from many other residential developments The Living Wall, in full bloom concentrated throughout the Greater Toronto Source: www.thelivingwall.net Area. That is, until The Living Wall (An Ecological Sound Barrier Solution Inc.) was utilized on site as a noise barrier to The Living Wall, in partnership with Mother separate the new subdivision and two Nature, provides for superior sound arterial roads. absorption, filtrates pollutants, establishes quickly and benefits the ecology by absorbing large quantities of carbonic gases (CO2).

The Living Wall is also available in a screen fence application – for further information please visit www.thelivingwall.net .

With such recognizable advantages and Ontario’s first residential noise wall project in the Town of Whitby under its belt, The Living Wall is poised in becoming a leader of the industry that provides unique noise The Living Wall, after installation ecological sound control solutions in a Source: www.thelivingwall.net natural way!

The Living Wall is exactly that…a living Maurizio Rogato graduated in 2002 and is wall made up of willow shrub supported by working with Solmar Development Corp. a standard wooden frame and a simple watering system that once assembled, actually absorbs noise unlike conventional th concrete noise barriers that simply deflect 8 ANNUAL SPRING RECEPTION noise and are often seen as an eye sore. Tuesday, May 30, 2006 Even better, The Living Wall is GREEN – it Arcadian Court vegetates quickly providing an almost instant landscape, which is graffiti proof and Hosted by the Ryerson Planning environmentally friendly. The result is a Alumni Committee

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Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

A Tribute to Peter Granville position of Manager of Information Leigh Bennett Technology for the City of .

1954 - 2005 In recent years, as President of the MISA Prairie Chapter, Peter was a leading force in By Shahan Deirmenjian the creation of a nation-wide Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA / In May 2005, the ASIM Canada became a reality in May planning 2005), as well as being active in the Urban profession lost a and Regional Information Systems leader in planning Association (URISA). Peter passed away research: Peter just days before the creation of this new Granville Leigh national organization. In recognition of his Bennett. A contributions one of the first actions by the graduate of the new executive was to create an annual class of ’78, award in Peter’s name recognizing Peter’s career had outstanding contributions to the its roots in the early days of Ryerson’s development of municipal e-government. School of Planning. The inaugural award was bestowed on Peter posthumously. His belief in working for the From his early years, Peter was dedicated to public good extended into his private life. the School of Urban & Regional Planning He was a volunteer in the Big Brothers and to the planning profession in general, organization and an active member of the representing Ryerson at the founding CAPS Messiah Lutheran Church in Winnipeg. conference. As a student, Peter excelled in the application of research methods to In his honour, a group of his alumni friends, planning issues, and recognized early on, the along with Ryerson University’s School of importance and value of considering “social Urban and Regional Planning, established an indicators” in planning projects that annual scholarship award in Peter’s name - involved building and creating liveable The Peter Bennett Award for excellence in communities. The consummate the application of research methods to Urban professional, he was one of the first to sign- and Regional Planning, and for dedicated up as a student member of the Ontario community service. This award was Professional Planners Institute, (OPPI), and developed in order to keep Peter’s spirit and soon became Ryerson’s representative drive alive through students who possess the sitting on OPPI’s board, bringing students’ same enthusiasm. This scholarship will be concerns and fresh ideas to the association. awarded to third and fourth year students who share Peter’s vision and passion. A Within days of graduating with honours, brochure outlining the details of the Peter Peter found himself working for the City of Bennett Award will be made available by Winnipeg Planning Department as a planner. Ryerson’s Alumni office and distributed to His commitment to research and a love for Planning alumni in the near future. emerging information technologies soon diverted his focus to an area of planning that In recognition of Peter’s contribution to the is vital to the fundamentals of good planning planning profession, the City of Winnipeg’s - good research. Peter’s dedication to the Information Technology Department has application of research methods to planning organized the First Annual Peter Bennett issues led to an involvement in Geographic Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser, Information Systems and eventually to the which will be held in Winnipeg, details will

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Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

follow. Part of the monies raised by the City of Winnipeg will be earmarked for If you think back to your high school days, Ryerson’s Peter Bennett Award. It would be what classes do you remember, and did any a tremendous show of support on the part of of your teachers make such an impression the Planning Alumni who find themselves in on you that you decided to pursue the topic the vicinity of Winnipeg to take part in this they taught? I see this happening every day. Tournament. Already there is talk that a Personally, I’ve had three of my students foursome from the Class of ’78 from pursue planning in University. I know this Toronto may surprise Peter’s family by has had at least a little to do with the fact participating in the tournament. that I was passionate about the topic, and helped lead them towards the profession. Peter leaves behind his wife Renate and two children, Stephen and Kaitlyn. Now, there are many great Geography teachers out there, but most come from a Shahan Deirmenjian graduated in 1978 and physical background. There is a major void is working with the Ministry of Municipal in the social Geography curriculum, and I Affairs & Housing. believe it stems from the lack of representation from our industry. As a Visit the RPA website department in a University, you are www.ryerson.ca/surp/rpa competing with many other fields for new students. Most of these fields have a lot of representation among teachers in schools. Planning for the Future In my first year at Ryerson, there were many people who selected planning because “It By Syd Trefiak sounded cool” or were pushed into the field because the guidance counsellor didn’t I was photocopying some work for my grade know what else to do with someone who nine class the other day, when I started up a liked Geography. discussion with a colleague of mine. We started talking about how we got into the I guess what I’m getting at here is, that if teaching profession. This is always an you want to continue to have a strong batch interesting topic because very few people of 1 st years coming into the planning know that they are going to be a teacher program, it might be worth it for our when they enter University. I for one didn’t. profession to spend at least a little time Coming from a teaching family, I had strong focusing on High School programs. It is feelings towards avoiding that line of work also important to let graduates know that at all costs. Through a series of events, and teaching is an option for them. A few more a little disillusionment with the Planning good teachers with a planning background profession, I found myself standing in front will pay off for our profession as a whole! of a group of teenagers trying to cram a little A little knowledge goes a long way. planning into their heads.

“Kids are our future.” This is an often used This got me thinking. I am the only phrase, especially where I work. But they Geography teacher I know that has moved are definitely the future of the Planning into the teaching field from a planning profession. background. I’m sure there are more out there, but it was never really presented to me Syd Trefiak graduated in 2000 and is as an option in University. I think this is a working with Oshawa Central Collegiate. real shame, and as a profession, planning is missing the boat on this one.

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Ryerson Planning Alumni Newsletter February 2006, Volume 1, Number 8

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS OF THE 2005 RYERSON PLANNING ALUMNI AWARD

The 2005 RPA Committee would like to Thank You for your support

Platinum Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Aird & Berlis Almost There Inc. Concord Adex Armstrong Goldberg Hunter First Pro Shopping Centres BA Consulting Group Goodman and Carr Brookfield Homes IBI Group D.C. Slade Consultants Loblaws Properties Ltd. Dillon Consulting Limited McCarthy Tétrault ENTRA Consultants Fieldgate Developments Giffels Design-Build Gold Sponsors Hardy Stevenson and Associates Bousfields Inc. KMK Consultants Goodmans Lea Consulting Monarch Construction Lynda J. Townsend Renaud Stikeman Elliott MAVI Developments Tridel Corporation Paul J. Stagl Urban Development Institute Pound & Stewart Associates Ryerson Alumni Relations TAS Designbuild Silver Sponsors Stantec Consulting Cassel Brock & Blackwell Spectrum Seniors Housing Devlp. Clayton Research Associates Town of Whitby The Daniels Corporation TD Canada Trust Fasken Martineau DuMoulin Golder Associates GSP Group Casino Table Sponsors Hemson Consulting Armland Group iPLAN Arista Homes Malone Given Parsons R.E. Millward & Associates MEP Design Tate Economic Research Minto Urban Communities N. Barry Lyon Consultants Limited Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt Media/Promotion Sponsors Thomson Rogers Greater Toronto Homebuilders’ Association TEDCO Ontario Professional Planners Institute Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Ryerson University Weir Foulds The Biglieri Group Wood Bull

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