spring 2011 geoplan department of geography & program in planning and the university of toronto association of geography alumni (utaga)

Celebrating our 75th Anniversary

he Department of Geography at the University of Toronto was founded in 1935 and the academic year 2010-11 was therefore our 75th anniversary. We had an excellent celebration, packed Twith events. It started early in September with a display at Robarts Library of more than 100 books authored by geography faculty and alumni. The display was seen by thousands of visitors to the library between September and October. We also put on a special departmen- tal speakers series with the theme of “Intersections” between human and physical geography and between geographers and the community. Twenty-two guest speakers participated and we held special panel sessions on the Tar Sands, Climate Change, the Aboriginal City, and Women and Factory Work in China. The biggest event of the year was a full weekend of activities in mid-September. The weekend began early on Thursday, September 16th, when the Planning Alumni Committee hosted its first Fall Plan- ning Mixer at the Duke of York, in honour of Geography’s 75th. On Friday afternoon, renowned climate change scholar Professor Diana Liverman (MA ‘80) from the University of Arizona gave a public lecture on “Governing Climate”. This was followed by an opening reception and book launch for Reflections on the History of Geography at the University of Toronto. On Saturday, there was a faculty panel ses- sion in the morning on the history of the department and a workshop exploring mapping on the web. We had lunch in the Great Hall at Hart House where alumnus David Phillips, Canada’s foremost weather expert, was the guest speaker. After lunch, a group of novice and expert Geocachers was equipped with GPS devices and set out on a hunt for hidden treasures around the University of Toronto campus. The weekend culminated with two field trips on Sunday, one to visit Evergreen Brick Works, a community environmental centre, and the other to Mount Nemo, a cliff ecosystem on the Niagara Escarpment. We had a excellent turnout at all of the events with participants from the class of ‘48 up to the present day. Thank you everyone for making it such a success—and a special thanks to the members of the 75th Organizing Committee: Robert Lewis, Jenny Lass (BA ’97, MA ’98), Andrew Malcolm, Jane Macijauskas (BA ’96), Jock Galloway, Tamara Soma (MScPl ’10), David Roberts (PhD ABD) and Dick Baine (BA ’51, MA ’52). 75th photo review

1st Row: David Phillips (left) speaks to an audience of alumni, faculty and students (right) at the luncheon held in the Great Hall, Hart House

2nd row: Virginia Maclaren speaks at the book launch (left) for ‘Reflections on the History of Geography at the University of Toronto,’ (right)

3rd row: Jenny Lass and Jane Macijauskas (left) pose while setting up a display of faculty and alumni books at Robarts library (right)

4th row: Alumnus and Evergreen Brickworks General Manager David Stonehouse gives a tour of the old quarry (left) and the visitor’s centre (right) in its final stages before the grand opening, which would occur the following weekend

5th row: Emeritus Professor Tony Davis speaks to GeoTrip attendees (left) on top of Mount Nemo with its views of South Western Ontario (right)

pg. 1 chair’s message In Memoriam by virginia maclaren Thank you to our Alumni Dr. Marie Sanderson his has been an incredibly eventful year In this issue of GeoPlan we would like to thank for the department. We celebrated our Table of Contents Dr. Marie Sanderson passed away on July 12, 2010 at the age of 88. A pioneer in the field of 75th anniversary. We welcomed a new all the alumni who contributed to the Depart- Canadian Geography, she was the first woman to become a full professor of geography in Cana- Tfaculty member, Christian Abizaid, to the depart- ment of Geography and Program in Planning’s In Memoriam...pg. 3 da—at the University of Windsor—and the first woman to be elected president of the Canadian ment. We had another very successful Awards classes and workshops. To all who are on the UTAGA Awards Night...pg. 4 Association of Geographers. Dr. Sanderson was one of the first graduates of the Department of Night in November, celebrating the academic list below, and any who may have been missed, Alumni Updates...pg. 7 Geography at UofT in 1944 and was an active member of UTAGA’a History Committee for excellence and contributions of 90 undergraduate your contribution has helped better the student 15th Annual Spring Social In Review...pg. 8 many years. She made significant contributions to the academy and to the history of the field. and graduate students. Finally, we said goodbye, experience, and for this we thank you. Fighting Blight in Detroit...pg. 9 She was the author of 12 books and over 40 refereed articles. These included important scholarly regretfully, to Susan Calanza, our long-time un- The following contributed to the Planning PAC News...pg. 10 contributions in the field of climatology that have led to a greater understanding of water level dergraduate student advisor, but we are delighted Workshop, the Current Issues Paper or to other 90 Degrees North to 90 Degrees South...pg. 12 changes and the impact of climate change on water levels in the Great Lakes watershed. She that she has been promoted to Assistant Registrar courses. GeoTrips in Review...pg. 14 wrote biographies of several major historical figures in geography, including Griffith Taylor, for the Faculty of Arts & Science. Ron Nash (MUDS, `06), Geotrip, upcoming...pg. 16 Antarctic scientist and founder of our department. She also co-authored a biography of Donald A field trip can be one of the most CIP external supervisor Meet the Department...pg. 17 Putnam, renowned for his work on the physiography of Southern Ontario and the department’s memorable experiences for an undergraduate or John Mackenzie (MScPl ‘00), Student Field Trips...pg. 20 second permanent faculty member. Her last published work was a chapter in Reflections on the graduate student and this edition of GeoPlan acting client in a workshop in planning Books...pg. 23 History of Geography at the University of Toronto, covering the years that Griffith Taylor was Chair, highlights the experiences of student field trips Carrie Mitchell (MScPl ‘03, PhD ‘08), from 1935 to 1952. Her outstanding contributions to geography were recognized with honorary to New York City, Detroit, and Sutton, Quebec. CIP external advisor degrees from the University of Waterloo (1998), the University of Windsor (1999), the Univer- It also describes a field trip offered through Christine Little Collins (MScPl ‘97), guest lecturer sity of Lethbridge (2000) and, most recently, from the University of Toronto (2010). the Centre for Environment led by Geography in Environmental Planning and Society Professor Tony Davis. The field trip to Detroit Congratulations for graduate planning students would not have The following participated in the Matthew Hanson Marie Sanderson in front. In back, left to right, President David Planning Opportunities Workshop: been possible without the generous support of Alana Boland received the 2010-11 UofT Ac- Naylor, Professor Virginia Maclaren, Chancellor David Peterson Geoffrey McGrath (MScPl ‘08) sponsorships raised through the Program in cessibility Award for Faculty on March 30th. Lee Owens (MScPl ‘07) Nominated by geography undergraduate student Planning’s Spring Social. Students participating Shayna Stott (MScPl ‘05) Johnny Au, Professor Boland was recognized for in our undergraduate field trips receive partial Auvniet Tehara (MScPl ‘09) Professor Emeritus Jacob Spelt financial support as well, primarily for two Kathrine Zaletnik-Hering (MScPl ‘05) her efforts to ensure barrier-free education. The endowments established for field work, one by undergraduate program in Geography received a Professor Emeritus Jacob Spelt passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2010 at the age of 91. former professor William G. Dean and a second The following participated in the Planning Skills letter of commendation at the same ceremony. Professor Spelt was a former chair of the Department of Geography (1973-77), Vice-Dean in in honour of former departmental administra- Modules: the Faculty of Arts and Science (1978-82), and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture (1982- tor Anne McMaster. Another highly-valued Leigh McGrath (MScPl ‘07) Jing Chen was the recipient of the Professional 84). After obtaining degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University source of funding for undergraduate field trips Michael Noble (MScPl ‘07) Achievement Award from the Chinese Profes- of Utrecht, Professor Spelt joined the Department of Geography in 1948 as a Lecturer and is through alumni donations to the Friends of David McKay (MScPl ‘07) sionals Association of Canada. Professor Chen retired as Professor Emeritus in 1985. His research interests included urban geography and the Geography. Thank you for your continuing gifts received his award from The Honourable Dr. regional geography of Europe, with a historical focus. Two of his major works included The that so enrich the student learning experience The following participated in the Planning First Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Citizenship Changing Face of Toronto: A Study in Urban Geography (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1965), which and provide them with a ‘once in a life time op- Year Orientation: and Immigration. he co-authored with Donald Kerr, and Urban Development in South-Central Ontario (Toronto: portunity’ in the field. Carly Bowman (MScPl ‘07) McClelland and Stewart, 1972). He was actively involved in the Department of Geography’s I conclude my message with the sad news Jeff Cantos (MScPl ‘04) Kathi Wilson became Chair at UTM as of July 75th anniversary celebrations this year as a contributor to Reflections on the History of Geography that we lost two retired faculty members and one 1st, 2010 and Bill Gough was appointed Chair at the University of Toronto. His chapter, entitled "A Phoenix from the Ashes", describes the near The following participated in a workshop on the ‘honorary’ faculty member this year. Jacob Spelt, of the Department of Physical and Environmen- closure and subsequent revitalization of the department in the 1950's. Current Issues Paper Experience: former Chair of the department from 1973-77, tal Sciences at UTSC. Matt Armstrong (MScPl ‘10) passed away in October and Shiu Luk, a soil sci- Carla Klassen (MScPl ‘10) Professor Bill Gough was the recipient of the entist and China researcher at the University of Suzanne Coultes (MScPl ‘07) Toronto Mississauga, died after a lengthy illness Lindsay Stephens (MScPl ‘04) 2010 Canadian Association of Geographers’ in February. Marie Sanderson, recipient of an Jeff Cantos (MScPl ‘04) Award For Excellence in Teaching Geography. honorary degree from the University of Toronto Annely Zonena (MScPl ‘06) The award is given to an individual who has last spring for her contributions to Geography, distinguished herself or himself in courses with Professor Shiu Luk passed away in July. The following ran PAC Mentorship Initiatives: small and large enrolments, at different levels of Please see the “In Memoriam” section on Renee Gomes (MScPl ‘04) instruction, over several years of teaching in the Professor Shiu Luk passed away on February 17, 2011. Professor Luk received his the next page for tributes to all three individuals. Craig Cal (MScPl ‘10) nominating institution. In a rare “double” for BA (Hons) (1968) and M.Phil (1972) from the Department of Geography at the Dema Ali (MScPl ‘10) the University of Toronto, Kathi Wilson received University of Hong Kong. After receiving his PhD from the University of Alberta Melissa McEnroe (‘09) the same award in 2011. in 1975, he held positions at Brock University and the University of Guelph before Auvniet Tehara (‘09) joining the Department of Geography at Erindale College in 1978. He was about John Warkentin, Professor Emeritus at York Uni- to become Director of the Institute of Land Information Management when he be- The following alumni participated in a versity and member of the UTAGA executive, came ill in 1994 and was forced to retire. Professor Luk was a soil scientist who was Geography Networking Event: received an honorary degree from York Univer- a pioneer in international environmental research at the University of Toronto and Peter Naperstkow, (MScPl ‘92) sity in June 2011. Front Page Photo Credits Marc Despatie, (MScPl ‘95) initiated many projects in China. His research was well funded by both IDRC and Rows 1, 2 and 3: Andrew Malcolm Damian A. Dupuy, (Ph.D. ‘99 ) CIDA. Before he became ill, he was leading numerous projects in China including Row 4: Aliya Solski Jonathan Hack, (M.A. ‘92) work on the Three Gorges project and soil erosion management in Inner Mongolia Row 5: Mark W. Baker, BA ‘86 Ricardo Gomez Insausti, (Ph.D. ‘97) and the Loess Plateau. A very active and engaged scholar, he had over 30 peer- Jennifer Owen, (B.A. ‘10) reviewed publications in top soil science and hydrology journals and was the editor Andrew Brown, (MScPl ‘91) of Chinese Geography and the Environment. Greg Pereira, (B.A. ‘99) pg. 2 pg. 3 UTAGA Award Winners 2010

Honorary President Award Distinguished Alumni Award Oustanding Service Award John Warkentin J. W. David Wood Carly Bowman (right) Jordan Erasmus (middle) UTAGA Awards Night 2010 Lee Owens (left)

n November 12 at Victoria College’s Alumni Hall, UTAGA and the Department of Geography and Program in Planning held our annual Awards Night event. The Honorary President Award went to John Warkentin, for his years of contributionsO to alumni relations and the department’s development, which included leading Sculpture tours around campus and on the waterfront, and working on the History of the Department book. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was given to J. David Wood, who established the previous winners Department of Geography at Atkinson College, York University, and continues to publish on the human geography of rural Canada. Distinguished Alumni: 1995 Daniel Griffith, 1996 The Outstanding Service Awards winners were Carly Bowman, Jordan Erasmus, and Marie Sanderson, 1997 Keith Fraser, 1998 William Lee Owens, all of whom have generously and consistently volunteered their time and efforts Wonders, 1999 John Warkentin, 2000 William Dean, 2001 Richard Ruggles, 2002 Robert Bateman, 2003 in organizing the Planning Alumni Committee’s key annual event, the Spring Social. Alex Davidson, 2004 Eric Sheppard, 2005 Dick Baine, 2006 Joe Berridge, 2007 Christopher Sharpe, 2008 To nominate the next UTAGA awards winners, send the name of a worthy individual Dave Phillips, 2009 Trudi Bunting. (such as a former classmate or graduate), along with a written citation, explaining why you think he/she deserves an award, to the UTAGA office. Nominations are held and carried Honorary President: 1995 Donald Kerr, 1996 Joe Whitney, 1997 Barry Goodison, 1998 Carl Amrhein, forward for up to three years by the UTAGA committee. 1999 Dick Baine, 2000 Larry Bourne, 2001 Ken Jones, 2002 Tony Davis, 2003 Jacob Spelt, 2004 John Brit- ton, 2005 Marie Sanderson, 2006 Joe Guzzi, 2007 Jock Galloway, 2008 Loretta Ryan, 2009 Corwin Cambray.

UTAGA Awards 2011 Outstanding Service Awards: 1999 Penny Henry, Donna Jeynes, Gerald Pisarzowski and Enid Slack; 2000 Pamela Blais, Roger Clarke, Thelma Gee, Tom Names of awards, and how winners are chosen Heslip and Susan Werden; 2001 Fenton Chin, Catherine Cieply, Joe Guzzi and Jacqueline Peers; 2003 Anne McMaster, Melanie Van Hees, Peter Zim- merman; 2004 Antony Lorius, Jane Macijauskas, Loretta Ryan, Dick Baine, Andrew Brown, Gunter Gad; 2005 Corwin Cambray, Jenny Lass, Valdemar UTAGA Distinguished Alumni Award: This award is given to alumni of the Nickel; 2007 Christian Ventresca, Jeffery Cantos, 2009 Renee Gomes, Eileen Costello. Department and its programs, who have led a career of exceptional distinction in any field, in any industry (not necessarily in geography) and brought honour to the department.

UTAGA Honorary President Award: This award is given to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the development of the Department of Geogra- phy or its programs, and its alumni. He or she need not be a graduate of Depart- Donate to the Department of Geography and Program in Planning Online ment or of the University, and can hold, or have held, a career in any field, such as business, education, politics, research, and self-employment. Want to help create a better educational experience for our undergraduate and graduate students in geography and planning? Donations to the Depart- ment contribute to the establishment of awards and scholarships, but that’s not all. Donations support field research costs for students, awards for students Outstanding Service Awards: This award is presented annually to up to five indi- to present their research at conferences, and funding for networking events. viduals who have made outstanding voluntary contributions to the Department of Geography, its programs, its students or its alumni. Nominees could be alumni or Donations are easier than ever. The following site will let you make a donation online: friends, but NOT students currently enrolled with the department. There may be https://donate.utoronto.ca/give/show/46 multiple recipients in one year. You can also donate by cheque, payable to the University of Toronto. Please indicate whether you would like to donate to the Friends of Geography or by fenton chin Friends of Planning, and send to: all awards photos by stefanie steele Annual Fund Office, University of Toronto, 21 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3

Contributions totaling $1,827 or more per calendar year qualify for recognition in the Presidents’ Circle. As part of U of T’s leadership giving recognition society, Presidents’ Circle members enjoy attending a variety of special events. For more information, please visit www.giving.utoronto.ca/prescircle or call 416-978-3810.

A tax receipt will be issued for all donations.

pg. 4 pg. 5 Award Winners 2010 ALUMNI UPDATES Flavia Redelmeier, BA ‘48 planning program awards undergraduate geography awards graduate geography awards he day before graduation, June 1948, our geography class learned me in good stead wherever I that most of us would not be graduating, having failed our Sci- am—England (remembering Matthew Hanson Scholarship in Planning Alpar Undergraduate Scholarship Alpar Graduate Scholarship entific German. As we had all been reassured by Professor George Professor Tatham’s classes in Aderonke Akande, Daniel Fusca, Sarah Simpkin David Roberts, Daniel Suarez TTatham not to take the Scientific Languages requirement too seriously, we interpreting English maps), Lucas Van Meer-Mass, Michael Vidoni Ben Shindman Scholarship in Geography Benita Tam, Jason Burke had fallen down disastrously. This only came to light when I asked about Turkey, Sicily, and China, Alan Tonks Planning Scholarship Maria Bianchi Anne McMaster Grant allowing my mother, Catherine Elliott, to graduate with us. She had among others. Erin Gullikson, Robyn Shyllit Canadian Association of Geographers Award Benita Tam, Daniel Suarez, Aderonke Akande achieved her B.A. that spring in the Pass Course for Teachers, completing Professor Taylor’s “tran- Benjamin Sonshine Urban Planning Scholarship Edward Lamson Donald F. Putnam Graduate Scholarship requirements for a baccalaureate degree at Smith College some twenty years sects” over unfamiliar terri- Charissa Jattan Donald Putnam Scholarship Jennifer Weaver earlier. Wheels in the Geography Department and the U of T Registration tories and his conclusions on Centre for Urban and Community Studies Edward Lamson Graduate Geography and Planning Student turned swiftly and we all graduated safely but without distinction. the effects of cultivation have Urban Planning Research Award Edward Blake Scholarship in Science Society Award On the evening of our graduation day, Professor Mclwraith of Anthro- led me to take my children Julie Mah, Kirsten Stein Holly Grace Vaughan Claire Oswald, Annya Shimi, Amy Cervenan pology telephoned to offer me a job as Ethnology Assistant at the Royal afield in Australia and Japan. Edie Yolles Award in Urban Planning F. Kenneth Hare Undergraduate Scholarship in Martin Danyluk, Laura Pitkanen Ontario Museum (his was cross-appointmented as Chair of Anthropology, Professor Putnam’s perilous Carla Klassen the Environment Renata Ramasra U of T, and Curator of Ethnology at the ROM) and in accepting his offer I field days by car (I had to fol- Friends of Planning Graduate Scholarship for Jiye Joen Griffith Taylor Graduate Scholarship effectively left the geography stream. But I never left the understanding of low him in a second car with Innovation Oustanding Performance Award for GGR Renata Ramasra physical and cultural geography instilled by Professors Taylor, Putnam and fellow students) led to a love Lucas Van Meer-Mass 201/203/205 John D. Barnes Geodetic Sciences Fellowship Tatham and their principles became second nature in my life and career as of the Ontario landscape and Graduate Geography and Planning Student Derek R. May Randy Bui wife of a farmer, mother of two sons, and volunteer in an interesting and an understanding of soils helped my career as a gardener, even though my Society Award Oustanding Performance Award for GGR 220 Joseph A. May Scholarship varied career. younger son, studying for a B.A. at University of Guelph, assured me that Aderonke Akande, Aadila Valiallah, Mian Mansoor Ahmad Jean-Francois Bissonnette, Renata Ramasra When Ruth Brafette (BA ‘46) and I set out on our summer job of Russian names in pedology were long gone. Lucas Van Meer-Mass, Brendan Salakoh Outstanding Performance Award for GGR 222 Oscar J. Marshall Graduate Fellowship 1947 to survey potential locations in Lake Ontario Townships for releasing As a mother, Girl Guide leader, ROM tour guide, horticultural lec- Michael Thorpe, Pauline Beaupre Ainsley Murray Jennifer Weaver, Andrew Tam pheasant poults for the Fish & Wildlife Division, Department of Lands turer, and volunteer executive in many organizations, my geography “roots” Ian D. Macpherson Award Outstanding Performance Award for GGR 240 & Forests, we were incredibly “green” in our knowledge of agricultural have helped me to understand and promote a love of living on the land at Raili Lakanen Katherine Mcilveen-Brown ontario graduate scholarship awards geography. On more than one occasion, one of us climbed a fence to home in Ontario. Thank you to all. Mitchell Goldhar Award for Excellent Achieve- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award uproot a seedling to see what was on the end—usually corn. By the end of I really enjoyed the 75th Anniversary Luncheon at the Great Hall of ment in the Planning Program Nicholas Lombardo Donald F. Putnam/George Tatham/Ontario the summer and 10,000 miles on my ’39 Ford, we could read the landscape Hart House, even though I suffer a frisson of resentment at its previous Brendon Goodmurphy The Sidney and Lucille Silver Scholarship Graduate Scholarship in Geography for agricultural advantages in shelter, food (likely insects) and water, but rejection of female students, and the Reflections of the History of Geography at Peter R. Walker Planning Fellowship Holly Grace Vaughan Benjamin O’Reilly at about the same time the Ontario Government procedure for natural- the University of Toronto has been a pleasure to read and relive. Jesse Ajayi, Pauline Beaupre, Valerie Bryson Undergraduate Computer Applications Award J.M. Tomczak/Ontario Graduate Scholarship in izing pheasants was abandoned. However, “reading” a landscape has stood Ann-Marie Cashin, Samantha Coutu Eric Beales Geography Nicholas Gallant, Gabrielle Hardy The Geography Toronto Award John Paul Catungal Sheila Htoo, Kristine Janzen Edward Lamson Michael Ralph Walsh/Ontario Graduate Kam Wing Chan, PhD ‘88 S. Bryn Dhir, BA ‘07 Alexander Marques, Shagufta Pasta The Griffith Taylor Memorial Award Scholarship in Geography Narmadha Rajakumar, Chloe Richer Stephanie Mah Kristine Haynes Read Dhir’s article 90° N to 90° S on Michael Thorpe, Michael Vidoni William G. Dean Scholarship in Geography Neptis Foundation/Ontario Graduate Kam Wing Chan spoke on CBC Radio pg. 12 Kimberely Wilmot, Mia Baumeister Field Research Scholarship in Planning One: The Current, recently. He was interviewed in the program, called China Ian Clark, Kimberly Dandy, Saba Qazi Brendan Salakoh Bryn was a member of the expedition Shift which explores how China is grap- Daniel Fusca, Kunitomo Kamizaki Edward Sorbara/Urban Development Institute field staff and educator for the 2010 pling with the largest and most rapidly Planning Alumni Graduate Scholarship of Toronto/Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions with changing population in the world. Kam Brendan Salakoh Planning Students On Ice, an award winning Wing discussed various issues facing CIP Student Award in Academic Excellence Thomas Beck Canadian organization focusing on migrant workers in China. Listen to the Carla Klassen University of Toronto Planning Alumni Award/ protecting the poles by protecting the interview at http://www.cbc.ca/thecur- LEA Consulting Ltd. Award in Planning and Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Planning planet through environmental education rent/2011/01/19/chinas-annual-migration/index.html. He also wrote an op- Transportation Nita Choonsingh and awareness. ed in The Seattle Times: “China not eating our lunch,” at http://seattletimes. Samantha Coutu Neptis Foundation/Ontario Graduate (Full bio: www.studentsonice.com) Peter Walker Scholarship Scholarship in Planning nwsource.com/html/opinion/2013808513_guest03chan.html Sheila Htoo, Pauline Beaupre Heather Amodeo Ontario Graduate Scholarship Jessica Wilczak Laura Senese Jenny Lass, BA ‘97, MA ‘98 Serguei Stremilov Christopher Wellen Jenny has recently earned the title of Holistic Nutri- tionist. She graduated from the Canadian School of William G. Dean Graduate Scholarship in Natural Nutrition with merit (a mark over 90%) and Science & Technology Amy Mui received two awards: an award for having the highest mark in the class and an excellence award. She is also ESRI Canada Scholarship in Science & pleased to announce the release of her third book, The Technology Randy Bui Canadian Guide to Psoriasis, published by John Wiley & Sons. Canada Ltd (Spring 2011).

pg. 6 pg. 7 15th annual spring social in review Fighting Blight in Detroit Tony Gagliano brings the Spirit of Luminato to the Reflections on the 2010 Masters in Planning Field Trip 15th Annual University of Toronto Friends of Planning Spring Social article and photographs by robyn shyllit by carly bowman f an asteroid were to hit the Great Lakes region, I imagine Detroit to understand the reasons—beyond a declining manufacturing sector, racial photography by maryann alisch as the bizarro world that would survive the impact—remnants of a segregation, and the 2008 recession—for why a once booming city has n April 14, 2011, planning students, alumni and faculty as well as wealthy history, people cautiously (and not so cautiously) crossing the since faded into various states of disrepair. a diverse group of industry professionals returned to Hart House Istreet, large pockets of urban catastrophe, and small glimmers of hope dot- Bob O’Brien of Southwest Solutions, an NGO that works on com- for the 15th Annual University of Toronto Friends of Planning ting a sprawling landscape. A city large enough in physical scale to encom- munity development initiatives such as building livable and affordable SpringO Social. The featured speaker at this year's event was Tony Gagliano, co-founder of Luminato and Chair of the AGO's Board of Trustees, as well pass the island of Manhattan, Boston, and San Francisco, once built for a housing in and around Mexican Town asked the central question, "Why as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph Commu- population of 2.5 million, now boasts the uneasy task of providing servicing would anyone invest in Detroit when there is affordable real-estate to an estimated 800,000 current residents. nications. Continued on next page Mr. Gagliano spoke about how he and fellow Luminato co-founder, I admit that venturing into the late David Pecaut, launched a dream of a world-class festival of arts and a city that has faced 60 years of creativity to match Toronto's cultural renaissance in the early 2000s. This decline was not my first choice for big dream, through sheer perseverance and the support of major govern- a glamorous travel destination. But ment and private industry partners, saw Luminato launched for 10 days upon completing our expedition in June of 2007. The festival was a tremendous success, enthusiastically it became clear that learning from embraced by Torontonians and visitors. Now in its 5th year, Luminato takes place June 10-19 in 2011. Luminato is recognized for the substantial Detroit was a needed awakening, as role it serves in supporting the arts community, the Toronto economy, and lessons learned from challenge can the sense of play in our urban setting (who can forget the 2009 red ball Top Left: Special Guest Speaker Tony Gagliano be more valuable than those discov- project, or 2008's Yonge Dundas Square dancing under the "ceiling" of lit Top Right: PAC Chair Jeff Cantos (left) and Speaker Tony Gagliano (right) ered with continued victory. lanterns, to name just two?). Mr. Gagliano gave the 2011 Spring Social's Bottom: PAC members Lee Owens (left) and Jordan Erasmus (right) Our tour’s agenda was attendees lots to speak about. With the usual tasty food, great student band thoughtfully planned by PhD Stu- and lively company, the Social continued on for several hours after Mr. dent Joshua Akers, and included a Gagliano's keynote address. visit to the Heidelberg Project, City The University of Toronto's Planning Alumni Committee (PAC), Planning Department, Data Driven and the Department of Geography and Program in Planning, would like to thank the many individual Friends of Planning Fund Donors whose Detroit, as well as discussions on donations directly support student success in graduate planning programs immigration-led growth and vari- at U of T. As well, PAC wishes to recognize the substantial long-term ous walking tours. This medley of perspectives contribution of the event promotional sponsors, NRU Publishing Inc. and provided a well-rounded narrative the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Finally, the generosity of the Social's many corporate sponsors is deeply appreciated. The following are the Corporate sponsors of the 2011 Social:

Premiere: Aird & Berlis LLP, Cassels Brock Lawyers, Davies Howe Partners, Fraser Milner Casgrain, Lea Consulting Ltd.

Platinum: Bousfields Inc., Concord CityPlace, Cresford Developments, Hemson Consulting Ltd., Malone Given Parsons, Residential and Civil Construc- tion Alliance of Ontario, R.J. Burnside & Associates Ltd., Stikeman Elliot

Gold: BrookMcILroy, The Daniels Corporation, Dillon Consulting Limited, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Fidelity Property Management Ltd., Fo- gler, Rubinoff LLP, Geography Jobs, Goodmans LLP, MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Limited, McCarthy Tetrault LLP, R.E. Millward and Associates, The Sorbara Group, Tridel, Urban Strategies Inc., Venchiarutti Gagliardi Architect Inc., Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Ltd.

Silver: Altus Group, Andrew Dales Consulting, Armstrong Hunter, GENIVAR, GSP Group, HDR Corporation, Johnston Litavski Planning Consultants, Pound & Stewart Planning Consultants, Townsend & Associates, Turner Fleischer Architects Inc., Urban Metrics, Weston Consulting Group Inc., Wood Bull LLP

Left: PAC Vice-Chair Carly Bowman and PAC Chair Jeff Cantos Middle: The Spring Social Student Jazz Band Right: From left to right, PAC members Dema Ali, Jessica Nelligan, Michael Noble, Joyce Kwong pg. 8 pg. 9 congratulations corwin! PAC events in review

orwin Cambray, past PAC Chair (2007-2009), has made us proud. On Sep- From Concept to Place: PAC’s Advanced Site Planning Module tember 20, 2010, Corwin was awarded an Arbor Award in recognition of his by carla tsang, 1st year mscpl student outstanding personal service to the university. The Arbor Award is the Univer- n Thursday, Feb. 20th, 2011, fourteen first-year planning students which moved each project from concept to completion, such as develop- Csity’s way of thanking volunteers such as Corwin, and letting them know that their con- gathered to attend a professional development module which ment design, pre-consultation and approval. tributions of time, energy and expertise do not go unnoticed. The award ceremony was focused on the topic of site planning. The session was presented David was candid in recounting his own experiences in the profession sponsored by University Advancement and took place at the President's official residence byO David McKay, a partner with MHBC Planning, and sponsored by the and kept the group engaged with comical anecdotes. When asked what at 93 Highland Avenue. Planning Alumni Committee (PAC). skill sets led to a successful career in planning, David identified the ability To top off a big month, Corwin was nominated as one of the newest members Fuelled by a complimentary dinner of pizza and soda, the stu- to negotiate, a broad knowledge base, presentation skills, and the ability to of the University’s College of Electors. The College was established by the Governing dents listened intently as David outlined the site planning process through see the “big picture” as traits invaluable to the profession. “A good planner,” a discussion of projects he was involved with at MHBC. One such project he insisted, “must be a jack of all trades. For example, knowledge of how Council of the University of Toronto in 1971 and is a group of members representing the was “The Stockyards,” a new retail power centre situated at the corner of storm water management relates to architectural design will prove useful.” constituent alumni associations of the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA). Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue. Students learned how regulations such Students were clearly impressed by his answer. The majority of the The members of the College are responsible for electing the Chancellor and the alumni as the site plan control by-law work with design guidelines to shape the group stayed for an extra hour to hear David deliver a bonus presentation members (alumni governors) of the Governing Council. PAC wishes Corwin the best of physical appearance of the built environment and its relationship to the on commercial redevelopment. Much thanks to David and PAC for host- luck in his new endeavours with the University. We’re rooting for you, Corwin! public realm. David was detailed in his descriptions of the various steps ing yet another successful skills module!

left to right: President David Naylor, Corwin Cambray, "Fighting Blight in Detroit," continued from previous page Chancellor David Peterson Developing our Interviewing Skills in Seattle, Chicago… Phoenix?" Though I have never traveled to the One interesting tale that explains the terror of privately owned pub- by hugo bonilla, 2nd year mscpl student aforementioned cities, I imagine providing a convincing response to this lic space is the story of a real estate tycoon who acquires large plots of land n Tuesday February 2, 2011, a group of fifteen first-year planning a job search and the things that employers are looking for in successful question would be a daunting task. It became evident that more than any throughout Detroit’s waterfront, sits on them as they waste away and de- students attended a professional development session on job candidates. new development, what is most needed in Detroit is an internal grassroots value adjacent properties, builds illegal roads, and cuts off neighbourhoods strategy and interviewing skills presented by Jeff Muzzerall and Nevertheless, the meat of the event was the practical third part of uprising, and investment from valiant entrepreneurs brave enough to estab- from each other and basic servicing. After seeing the destruction this has sponsoredO by the Planning Alumni Committee. the session. Two planning students had previously been approached to lish themselves in a city that lacks the basic means with which to attract and created on both sides of the border it became quite clear that the magnitude Jeff is the Director of the Corporate Connections Centre at the participate in mock interviews for typical entry-level planning positions retain their interest. of what Detroit must overcome requires an unapologetic uphill battle. Rotman School of Business and a renowned specialist in career advice and and they agreed to do so in front of the entire audience. Their skills were As an example of While there are many individuals and organizations working to communication. He is a very energetic New Brunswicker eager to share put to the test when Jeff proved to be a keen interviewer who asked difficult this needed fearlessness, create positive change, it would be false to ignore an unavoidable sense of with students his life experiences and career path as an environmentalist, questions. After each interview the audience analyzed the highs and lows of in 1986 artist Tyree anger, mistrust, and resentment felt while wandering throughout dilapi- investment banker, entrepreneur and communicator. the interviewee and Jeff provided some tips for specific situations. The main Guyton started the dated streets. Though we too have cities in Canada that face decline after The workshop had three clearly defined sections: introductions, lesson learned from this section was: practice, practice, and practice. Heidelberg Project. By being reliant upon a single industry, their issues seem minute in comparison information and practice. Informal introductions from the attendees broke Students were really grateful to get this hands-on and entertaining transforming abandoned to the mass coordination needed to reinvigorate Detroit. Discussing other the ice and provided the information that Jeff needed to tailor the content session to face the round of interviews that we are all likely to encounter in homes and empty plots North American cities that have survived catastrophe, Rebecca Solnit’s book and examples of his presentation to the needs of his audience. our search for internships. I believe that we are better prepared now. The of land into a public art A Paradise Built in Hell suggests that there might just be something amazing In the second part, Jeff used a host of examples from real life to only thing left is: practice! project, Guyton’s work that comes out of Detroit’s disaster. As noted by the city’s planning depart- illustrate “to do’s” and “not to do’s” when looking for a job and writing demonstrates the impact ment – this is the first time in history Detroit is being forced to change. resumes and cover letters. He provided tons of tips as to how to approach of culture-led regenera- Now back at home in my densely inhabited quickly gentrifying downtown neighbourhood with an abundance of grocers, public transit, tion in a place more needed than a loft conversion in Leslieville. Though Fall Planning Mixer the question was asked regarding the gentrification of Detroit’s downtown schools, and life, I can reflect on an eye opening adventure that introduced neighbourhoods, and this was likely a concern several decades prior when me to issues on a different scale from those we are exposed to in Toronto. carly bowman, mscpl ‘07 the glamour of industry was the epitome of the city’s success, all those who As suggested by many we spoke to on our short journey, for some- n September 16, 2010, PAC hosted a casual gather- responded stated that today this is simply not yet a concern, as you first thing groundbreaking to happen in Detroit, sustained investment is needed ing of students, instructors, alumni and friends at the need people to populate an area before there is any competition for real for a new type of economy. Though exactly what this will look like has yet Duke of York. Called the “Fall Planning Mixer,” the estate. to be formally established, it is safe to say that energy must be channeled eventO was a great success, drawing planners in all stages of their into a post-industrial assembly line —NGO’s, adventure seekers, planners, careers, and winding on from 5:30 until well into the evening. community groups, entrepreneurs, artists, and long time residents working The Mixer was launched as an opportunity for U of T’s collectively to inform a direct vision that moves beyond Armageddon. planners to toast the Geography Department’s 75th anniver- sary. The event was also geared to filling a hole in the U of T planning social calendar, welcoming the new school year at an old favourite haunt. It succeeded in both regards—so well, in Robyn Shyllit is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and is fact, that PAC is considering making it an annual affair. completing her Master's degree in Planning at the University of Toronto focus- Interested in engaging in a little September grad school ing in cultural planning and community development. nostalgia? Keep your eyes on your inbox next August for an an- nouncement respecting the second annual Fall Planning Mixer.

pg. 10 pg. 11 Expeditions to the ends of the Earth By: S. Bryn Dhir

million years of all life on Earth. From the bow of the ship, I saw waves smash violently up onto the cliffs and rock faces of Monumental and Elephant Islands while Deception Island stayed true to its name, hiding a sheltered volcanic harbour. We saw 90° N Albatross and a variety of sea birds flying alongside the ship and studied the Adelie and Gentoo penguins in their natural habitat. The penguins were just as curious of me, as I was of them. Keeping at a distance, they walked along their rust-coloured penguin highways created by thousands of foot prints, sounding like a variety pack of beeping and honking party favours. These little flightless creatures were elegantly over-dressed in their black to and white tuxedos. Mothers with their chicks were huddled together in their pebble-covered rookeries, while others waddled their way confidently around Heroina Island. The icebergs, water and snow were full of shades of blues and whites, as if you had put on a pair of tinted glasses. Climbing up a pillow ice cap Niko Harbour, Antartica on Koerner Island was unlike anything in the Arctic now due to the lack of snow and ice there, but here, the snow remained kilometers thick. There 90° S were no native communities in the Antarctic that could tell tales of the changes in weather and climate, but there were polar naturalists such as Olle Carlsson and polar historian David Fletcher who were happy to share their combined knowledge of 60 years of environmental change. Expeditions to the ends of the Earth The Antarctic is a place of intense scientific research. We visited the Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Station on Galindez Island, which was once article and photographs by s. bryn dhir, ba ‘07 a British base and played a part in NASA’s discovery of the hole in the ozone layer. An afternoon on the base showed us the variety of focused work being conducted surrounding meteorology, seismology, glaciology, he Earth has two polar regions. One at 90° N and the other at 90° S. Depending upper-atmospheric physics and geomagnetism. Like other bases belong- on which direction the globe is held, either end could be located at the top or ing to the Russians, Americans, Chileans, Chinese, Australians, French and bottom. As Herzog once said, “in the most hostile, barren, alien environments Germans, Vernadsky is maintaining an impressive work schedule filled with Ton the planet, you meet the most interesting people.” And you also encounter the most research and experiments. incredible things, landscapes, and species of wildlife. Travelling to the opposite ends of the Earth within five months gave me a clear perspective of the effects of climate change while also experiencing first hand, all things geographically polar.

Journey to the top of the world

It was rainy and grey in late August 2010 when we entered the relatively calm waters of Ungava Bay aboard the Lyubov Orlova, a Russian ship that has charted many waters with Students On Ice founder Geoff Green. The ship hosted a diverse group of envi- ronmentalists, a variety of educators like myself, artists, scientists, journalists, explorers and students who were eager to learn. Ship-based programming included lectures and demonstrations by arctic biologist and documentary filmmaker David Gray, migratory birds conservation biologist Gary Donaldson and phycologist Paul Hamilton. Above: Thousands of walrus lounge on the warm rocks in Canada`s Arctic. The Arctic landscape of Baffin Island and Nunavut was awe inspiring, with shades Belches and all other bodily sounds constantly fill the air in sound and smell of greys, browns and musky greens that were often covered by a thick rolling fog. The rock cliffs and patches of tundra on Diana Island and Douglas Harbour, were home Below: Young humpback whale that breeched dozens of times next to the ship as to musk ox, wild Arctic flowers and cotton, caribou, lichen beds and great cliffs that another 20 whales swam all around just before entering the Weddell Sea dropped down into spectacular fjords. We enjoyed warm sunshine on a hike to the Arctic Circle through Auyuittuq National Park, “the place that never melts”, but discov- ered that its receding glaciers are now a poor reflection of the park’s name. Arctic Aurora Borealis Zodiac expeditions took us to landings on Cape Wolsenholme and Digges Islands, inhabited by millions of Thick Billed Murres. The truth of the melting sea ice that has 20,000 km apart often made headlines was evident as the Orlova entered Kingnait Fjord—a place that normally promises a grand display of icebergs and ice. Alas, there was very little to see From the native communities of Cape Dorset and Kuujjuaq to the this year. Antarctic researchers on their bases alongside breeching whales, seals and penguins, it was near the northern and the southern poles that one could A race to the end of the Earth see the most visible effects of climate change. Rising average temperatures, declining snow fall and melting ice made us keenly aware of our personal Four months later, it was a liberating feeling to be back on the open water heading responsibilities for protecting the environment. The soaring landscapes, down the Beagle Channel aboard the MV Ushuaia to the Drake Passage. Once again Above: An Adele mother sits calmly at the Rookery on Heroina incredible glaciers, diversity of species of mammals and marine life and the the world as we know it was literally left behind. For miles, there was no land and no Island. Her chick eagerly awaits his feeding. unforgettable magnificence captured a bit of every person who ventured to ship to be seen. The lookout for ice and icebergs began again; this time it would lead to the Polar regions, leaving us mesmerized by the beauty of being 90° N and some success. Top Left: Protective of her cubs after a swim, this mother polar bear 90° S. The Antarctic is simple and peaceful, but within that simplicity also lies an cautiously watches over her young on Monumental Island. Loung- intimidating, monumental scale. Everything is larger than life and I was reminded of ing in the sun on rocks, these bears would have been out on the ice the short time humans have been calling this planet home, in comparison to the 2,500 and snow a few years earlier.

pg. 12 pg. 13 GeoTrip in Review: Waterfront Sculpture Tour GeoTrip in Review: Garrison Creek

by andrew malcolm by marcin zukowski (ba ‘10) photographs by mary-marta briones-bird photographs by mary-marta briones-bird

n April 24th, John Warkentin (PhD, n May 15th, 2010, eager GeoTrippers `54) shed a new light on Toronto’s assembled in Christie Pits Park for a waterfront for alumni and members of tour through Toronto’s geologic and theO department. Though the group was already historicalO past. We were joined and hosted by familiar with the area, the dozens of sculptures Helen Mills of the Toronto Lost Rivers Walks along the waterfront had often gone unnoticed Group, Richard Anderson of York University, by even the most avid visitors. and the past president of UTAGA, Joe Whitney. Beginning with Richard Deacon’s Between Our route would take us along Garrison Creek, the Eyes at the foot of Yonge Street, and ending one of Toronto’s lost rivers and Discovery Walk with the dramatic figures portraying the arrival trails. of Irish immigrants during the famine in Ireland Christie Pits Park, named after the site’s Park at the foot of Bathurst (The Arrival, Rowan sand pits used until the early 1900s, once fun- Gillespie), John’s tour drew attention to dozens neled Garrison Creek as it ran from the bluffs of sculptures. One highlight of the tour was further upstream. The park is known for its thanks to a very kind security gaurd who let us infamous race riot of 1933, when the Anglo- into WaterPark place (10 Bay Street, usually Canadian Pit Gang unfurled a large Swastika closed on weekends) granting us a close up view during a baseball game, inciting reprisal from the of William McElcheran’s South Wind. Many tour largely Jewish and Italian Spadina Avenue Gang. attendees remembered the work of McElcheran Toronto Music Garden, Waterfront at Spadina Scores were injured, and it revealed the racial from John’s U of T sculpture tour (Businessman tensions felt in Toronto just prior to the Second on a Horse and untitled piece in front of St. World War. After discussion of that unfortunate Helen Mills speaks to GeoTrippers in Little Italy Michael’s College). South Wind was definitely episode, we turned to the geologic history of the the most impressive work, with figures emerging site. On our way south, we passed Harbord Street, greeted by Andrew Stewart (MSc ‘06), director of from a marble wall carved as a cityscape. As the Wisconsin glaciation receded some and found a peculiar cement railing a few feet Strata Archaeological Services Inc. and the Fort’s The tour group also learned some new 12,000 years ago, it left a deep deposit of glacial off the ground. Unbeknownst to us and just administrator, David O’Hara (MScPl ‘01). They information about familiar sculptures. Little Nor- drift that became the shoreline of Lake Ontario’s about everyone else, this is actually the balustrade gave us a presentation of the new visitors’ centre way Park Memorial Rock, near the ferry terminal, larger precursor, Lake Iroquois. When the ice of one of Garrison Creek’s bridges. The valley that will be unveiled in time for the bicentenary was in fact brought over from Norway as a thank blocking the St. Lawrence waterway eventually once ran the whole way through to the lake, and of the Battle of York fought during the War of you for providing that same space as a training melted, the water drained from Lake Iroquois’ while there are snippets of it left, such as in the 1812, when Fort York was still at the shoreline. base during World War II. Toronto, John told banks (situated at what is now Davenport Road) north-western part of Trinity-Bellwoods Park, Their plans look great, and the whole GeoTrip us, is very fortunate to have the waterfront’s and settled at the shores of the current lake. The there’s practically no evidence of the ravine’s was packed with tons of fun and learning. We’d Toronto Music Garden, a combination of garden largely barren land left in the wake was scoured course through the south-east end of the park like to thank the volunteers for their expertise and sculpture that interprets Johann Sebastian as water drained its way to the lake, and Garrison onto Queen Street. As we continued our journey and everyone who showed up for their enthusi- Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied Cello. The Julie Creek was born. As we followed its path to the through numerous parks and parkettes, we were asm; hopefully you can make it out to the next Little Norway Park Memorial Rock Messervy project was orginially designed for Bos- shore of Lake Ontario, it was eerie how little reminded of the creek’s former path by the mean- GeoTrip! ton, but when the Boston project fell through, Program in Planning is very grateful to John for evidence of the sizable ravine remained. dering residential streets and the sewer and storm Toronto enthusiastically invited Messervy to leading these tours for alumni and members of Filled in by everything from household drains that now flow underneath Toronto. By mid-afternoon, we reached the ter- move it here. The group also became privy to the the department. John is a Professor Emeritus of ‘The Arrival’, Rowan Gillespie, Ireland Park waste and coal ash to the excavation of the Bloor impressive sums that sculptures typically cost, Geography at York University and an alumnus subway line, there is little trace of the creek and minus of the lost creek at Fort York, where most notably the recently opened Simcoe Wave- of the Geography Program at U of T (PhD `54). its valley—unless you know what to look for. Garrison Creek derived its name. There we were Deck, with a price tag of around $6 million. He recently published Creating Memory, a book The Department of Geography and that explores all the sculptures of Toronto.

Creating Memory (Becker Associates, 2010) by john warkentin

Trip Leaders Richard Anderson and Helen Mills

One of the many signs marking the location of Garrison ‘South Wind’, William McElcheran, Creek undergraound (Little Italy) WaterPark place pg. 14 pg. 15 meet the department Graduate Student: Angela Loder

“It is a new type of nature, so there hasn’t been a on a federally funded interdisciplinary project lot of research yet into what people think about linking energy conservation, occupant comfort them or how people feel about them,” she said. and behaviour, and human factors engineering. Many urban centres began undertaking Angela is a Canada-US Fulbright Scholar and the green roof strategies in response to growing co-founder of a health, design, and green build- environmental challenges, but Chicago and To- ing research group that brings together leading ronto stood out in Angela’s work because of their health researchers, designers, NGO’s and the relative comparability. “I was studying the urban United States Green Building Council. scale of environmental action, and both cities en- This article was re-printed in part from the gage in a lot of urban-level initiatives on climate Fulbright website UTAGA and Toronto Tree Tours Present: change, health and well being, so in many ways they were similar. The biggest difference was that Harbord Street Tree Tour and geotrip Chicago had a lot more power. Politically, the city was not a creature of the province like many Canadians cities are. And so half of my battle Saturday, September 17th, 2011 from 10:30am to 12:00pm was understanding the politics, because there’s Suggested donation: $5 the policy, and then there’s the politics behind the policy, which explained why these two cities had very similar implementation programs, but If you would like to attend, please RSVP to [email protected] Toronto took about twice as long as Chicago to or by calling the Geography Main Office at 416-978-3375 ngela Loder is a PhD candidate in the reach the same level.” Geography-Environment collaborative Angela has worked with Green Roofs for program. Her primary research focus is Healthy Cities, the leading green roof industry Join Professor Tenley Conway in a walk around the Athe relationship between health, well-being, and and research organization in North America, as Harbord Street area. From an aerial view, this region of perceptions of urban greening projects, looking well as the City of Chicago and the U.S.D.A. Toronto is barely visible below its canopy of diverse, old specifically at green roofs and the workplace. She Forest Service on social perceptions of urban is particularly interested in the possibilities that nature and green roofs. She also helped develop and large neighbourhood trees. What are the benefits, green buildings and green roofs can bring to the policy documents for Environment Canada on aside from aesthetic beauty, of having a dense canopy ecological city, as well as how nature informs our integrating green roof policy into Ontario’s Smart above residential and business areas, and how does sense of place and belonging in an urban context. Growth objectives, and is currently working View from 215 Spadina, the Robertson socio-economic status and governmental policy facili- Building, Toronto tate or restrict the creation of urban forests? These are Staff Member: Bruce Huang Receives Outstanding Service Award some of the questions to be answered on the tour. It ruce Huang has been the Department three operating systems. Bruce is always there will begin at the South West Corner of Harbord and of Geography’s Information Technology when you need him, including very early morn- Spadina. Specialist since 1998. He manages an ings, evenings and weekends if there is a system Benormously complex system of hardware and shut-down or other emergency. Even for the If you would like to attend, please RSVP to: software that includes three teaching labs (with most trivial requests, Bruce is unfailingly courte- [email protected] 50+ workstations), six research labs (with 30+ ous and supportive, incredibly knowledgeable or by calling the Geography Main Office at: workstations), faculty, staff and teaching laptops and keeps the department current with all of the 416-978-3375 and workstations (100+), wired and wireless newest developments in hardware and software. networks, GIS and remote sensing software, In recognition of his exceptional service quantitative and qualitative analysis software, to the department, Bruce received the Dean’s urban design software, numerous servers and Outstanding Technical Service Award from the Faculty of Arts & Science on April 14, 2010. Con- gratulations Bruce! And thank you from all of the faculty, staff and students that you have helped over the years.

Dean Meric Gertler and Bruce Huang

From Left to Right: Susan Calanza, Byron Moldofsky, Mary-Marta Briones-Bird, Marika Maslej, Virginia Maclaren, Bruce Huang, Don Boyes pg. 16 pg. 17 meet the department meet the department

Faculty Member: Professor Danny Harvey Faculty Memeber: Professor Christian Abizaid

hen I tell people what I’m doing now pology working in the northern Yukon. Ice ages my initial intention to go into architecture, I only joined the Department of Geography to the Peruvian Amazon, following a trip that I focus of my doctoral dissertation. I used a major (which, depending on when exactly being a climatic phenomenon, it made sense was devoting every possible moment writing last summer, but I am truly proud and made to South America in 2000. The change meander cutoff, as a ‘natural experiment’ to “now” is, could involve the design to take some more climatology, especially since what I had thought would be a medium length excited to become part of such a stimulating, was not anticipated, but while visiting rural com- study the links between floodplain dynamics and Wof high-performance buildings, writing about one of the world’s most eminent climatologists, book on the how to design ultra-low energy friendlyI and collegial community of faculty, staff munities along the Ucayali River, one of the most livelihoods. More specifically, I examined the role how we might transition to an electricity system F. Kenneth Hare, was at the department. This buildings. This book (A Handbook on Low-Energy and students. I am the second faculty member, recurrent issues raised in my conversations with of local residents in modifying the course of the with zero reliance on fossil fuels, or speculating (1978) was when I first heard about the “global Buildings and District Energy Systems, 701 pages, after Scott Prudham, to have a joint appointment local residents was the instability of the river; that river; the (short-term) ecological and economic on how to slowly reverse the acidification of the warming” problem and I came to the conclusion published by EarthScan) was published in 2006 with Centre for Environment, where I teach half consequences of the change; land tenure issues; oceans once our fossil fuel binge is over), they and was followed by two other books (Energy of my courses. Previously I was at McGill Uni- and household coping strategies and vulner- are sometimes surprised that I’m in a geography and the New Reality, Volume 1: Efficient use of versity, where I conducted graduate and postdoc- ability to environmental and health shocks. As a department. In reply, I tell them that geography Energy, and Volume 2: Carbon-Free Energy Supply, toral research in human-environment geography. complement to that work, I have been study- is concerned about relationships between humans published by EarthScan). The latter two books of Before that, I had done a BA in International ing other aspects of livelihood in collaboration and their environment, both physical and social, course started out as one book, but as the writing Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana in with colleagues from McGill University and the in the broadest sense, and that the geography De- progressed, that idea became impractical. Mexico City, for which I wrote an honours thesis Universities of Tsukuba and Wisconsin-Madison. partment is probably the only department where The focus of my research for the next many on a Canadian-Mexican initiative to promote One of the issues we have examined is the role of I’d have been allowed to do what I’ve done, and years will revolve around energy use and the local sustainable resource-use practices around floodplain fisheries as ‘natural insurance’ for rural to have changed fields of interest as often as I question of how to rapidly (within decades) make the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. It households. We have also been working on a have. Within geography, one has the freedom to the transition, both in Canada and worldwide, was that work that got me interested in human- study on cooperative (reciprocal) labor in peasant pursue one connection after another, which can to a completely fossil-fuel free energy system. environment geography and field-based research. agriculture. lead to a very wide-ranging journey and, in my The research strategy will be to guide a team My main interest is in rural livelihoods in Since my arrival last summer I have been case, back to where I started 30 years before. of graduate students in developing a series of tropical forest regions and their implications for devoting a lot of my time and energy to teaching When I entered university as a first-year renewable energy and energy demand modules conservation, development, poverty alleviation, and to establishing the foundations of a research student at the University of British Columbia in that are driven by internally-consistent datasets and environmental change adaptation—my program. I taught ENV 223 (Fundamental 1974, my intention was to become an architect. for the real-time variation in temperature, wind, geographical focus is Latin America (to date Environmental Skills) in the fall and I am cur- Architecture being solely a graduate program at solar irradiance, and precipitation. I will also be my work has centered on Mexico and Peru). rently teaching GGR 341 (Changing Geography UBC, I had to pick an undergraduate program, investigating how to shift an increasing fraction More specifically, my research focuses on how the river was always changing course. In some of Latin America) and JGE 321 (Multicultural and quite literally by accident (I happened to that it was going to become the environmental of our heating and transportation energy needs rural households make a living from the land communities, people mentioned that they had Perspectives on Environmental Issues). With have opened the calendar to the geography issue of the coming century. From 1980-1988 I to electricity. The feasibility of doing so depends and traditional resource use practices, how such recently relocated because the river had eroded the assistance of an undergraduate student, section one summer day after that first year), I worked exclusively on issues (initially as a Ph.D. strongly on the design of new buildings, the practices impact the environment, and how all of their land; in others, people mentioned that under the work-study program, I put together a discovered physical geography (the perfect mix student) related to the climate science of global renovation of existing buildings, and making households adapt their livelihoods to chang- they used to be located kilometres away from the research proposal that will enable me to return of subjects for me) and enrolled in geography warming. This lead to the question: What can we proper choices in the intensification of existing ing environmental conditions. My earlier work, river, except that when I was there their villages to Peru this summer to continue to look at starting my second year. However, I quickly do about it? This lead to energy, and—because urban centres and the design of whatever new conducted in the Calakmul region, examined the were located by the river’s edge. I was completely livelihoods within the context of rapid environ- became fascinated by ice ages and early humans buildings account for about 1/3 of our energy urban centres we build. role of household factors and government poli- taken by this and became intrigued about the im- mental change. I plan to expand the focus of this in North America, lost interest in architecture, use and greenhouse gas emissions—energy leads I was involved in the preparation of the cies in shaping land use and fallowing practices plications it could have for people that lived and research to include issues such as: river dynamics, and came to the University of Toronto to do an to buildings. One of the biggest factors in the en- chapter pertaining to energy use in buildings for among small-scale shifting cultivators in an ejido made a living along the floodplain. What lessons floodplain settlement, migration and displace- M.Sc. with an eminent geographer, Alan Jopling, ergy use of buildings is the initial design, which the last assessment report of the Intergovernmen- outside of the Biosphere Reserve. could be learnt about human adaptation to en- ment; the integration of upland-lowland resource who was involved with colleagues from anthro- leads to architecture. So…by 2004, 30 years after tal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released in My research interests “migrated” south vironmental change? I decided to make that the use in livelihood, and others. 2007, and in the Global Energy Assessment of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (based in Austria), which comes out later this year, and I will be involved in the next IPCC assessment report (which comes out in 2013). At the same time, I find myself drawn back to my academic roots as a climate-carbon cycler modeler; I prepared the chapter on climate modeling and a series of Excel-based climate- simulation modules for the second edition of Environmental Modelling: Finding Simplicity in Complexity (edited by UK geographers John Wainwright and Mark Mulligan, published by Wiley) and the chapter on developments in climate science since the last IPCC report for the forthcoming book, Future Climates (edited by former UK geographer Ann Henderson-Sellers, published by Elsevier). In truth, the latest science is more alarming than ever, and this adds yet greater urgency to the task of quickly phasing out the use of fossil fuels.

Plantains and other agricultural products waiting to be transported to the city by river-bus along the Ucayali Danny Harvey stands in front of Long’s Peak, Colorado River, Peru pg. 18 pg. 19 student field trips student field trips

ENV395: Ecology and Conservation in the Galapagos Islands, the Andes and the Amazon GGR382: New York n May of 2010, a group of 19 students the capital. Few of us knew each other before magnificent trees. n September 6, 2010, 20 undergraduate Heights helped illustrate the important role of was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experi- embarked on a field course of a lifetime: this course, but we connected with each other Climbing Mount Chimborazo was our big- students from the Geography Depart- immigration in shaping the urban landscape of ence the ideas and concepts we have studied in ENV395, otherwise known as Ecology and through our shared curiosity about this new place gest physical challenge of the entire trip and, to ment met for the first time in the New York City. The recently developed High- class, allowing us to see and touch them. After ConservationI in the Amazon, Galápagos, and and our common environmental consciousness. some, the most memorable. Along the way, Tony UpperO West Side for the GGR382 field course in line walkway as well as the neighbourhoods of four eight-hour days of trekking throughout New Andes. Few of us knew Geography Professor Those of us who spoke Spanish became instant would point out vicuñas, a type of camelid, and New York City. One can only imagine the variety SOHO, Greenwich Village, the former Meat York City, all twenty of us were exhausted and Tony Davis before we arrived at Pearson Interna- celebrities and provided a great resource for the towering lava formations. Some of us were just of transportation modes and routes taken in or- Packing District and Williamsburg, gave us our feet heavy and sore. However, we were also tional Airport, but very quickly after we met him rest of us. amazed to be higher than the clouds! The hike der to amass this group. Trains, planes and buses concrete examples of diverse types of urban very satisfied and grateful for the opportunity to we knew he would lead the class with enthusi- The first few days of our trip were spent reached a peak in a large cave at approximately brought students with diverse interests together redevelopment and gentrification. Suburban experience the city this way. As two people who asm, humour and, most importantly, he would becoming familiar with Cumbaya. After the 4900 m above sea level. We all sat there for a for a week exploring the city that never sleeps. developments in Queens, including Sunny- have been to New York City on several previous provide the answers to any questions that might jetlag subsided, we explored the Universidad de moment, to absorb what we had accomplished Leading our group around Manhattan, Brooklyn side Gardens Park and Forest Hills Gardens, occasions, we can honestly say that the city will arise on the trip. San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) campus and the and slowly made our way down. The next big and Queens was Professor Robert Lewis and highlighted the real-world implementation of never appear the same to us again, and we have Upon arrival in Quito, we settled into our community we would call home for the next 30 adventure was a 7-day trip deep into the Amazon our teaching assistant Patrick Vitale. The first textbook concepts such as Garden Cities. Iconic Robert, Patrick and an entire class of wonderful hotel in Cumbaya, only 20 minutes outside of days. The campus at USFQ is breathtaking, set rainforest, at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station, a day’s late afternoon picnic in Central Park was a places including Rockefeller Center, Wall Street, people to thank for that. against a backdrop of Andean Mountains and remote location used for research and educational perfect setting to acquaint us and set the stage for the World Fair grounds, the United Nations, 5th exotic biota. purposes. It was a trek to get there—we took a the whirlwind week ahead. Avenue, and the financial district were illustrative by chris gurski and michelle louli. We would meet for lectures a few times a plane, a boat, a bus and another boat. However, Understanding urban landscapes is a major of the power relationships that change and shape michelle majors in environment and re- week. Initially, lectures focused on the anthro- the trips to and from the rainforest were one focus of many geography students. Lectures and the urban landscape and its inhabitants. Each of source management, and urban economic pogenic and environmental history of Ecuador, of the best parts of the experience. We saw all readings aid in this understanding, but a higher, these locations has a story, and together form a and social geography. chris majors in en- while later lectures had a more contemporary kinds of wildlife and indigenous communities intangible comprehension emerges when on coherent narrative of how New York’s landscapes vironment and resource management, and and ecological focus. In addition to Tony, we while traveling on the river. Once at the station, the ground, experiencing it first hand. Visiting and population have been shaped in the past and human geography. had several other lecturers. David Romo is a we went on night walks, canopy tours, hung the Lower East Side (including the Tenement present. Professor of Conservation Biology at USFQ. He out on observation towers looking for birds and Museum), Chinatown, Little Italy and Jackson Our classmates agreed that this field course is native to Ecuador, so his perspective on the monkeys, ate lemon ants and conducted research conservation issues and cultural history of Ecua- projects. The research projects were great as- dor was fundamental to our learning experience. signments, as we had the freedom to explore our Also, he was a great tour guide! He would take interests and incorporate them into the course. us to marketplaces, show us the local fruits and We also experienced first-hand the effects of hu- Curious baby sea lion investigates us while we teach us the local legends and traditions of the midity, bugs and what we called jungle fever, but were snorkeling off the Galapagos Islands places we visited. we were still sad to go. At this point, none of us Our first overnight trip was to the Andes. could imagine how this trip could get any better. We packed our bags, piled on the bus and headed The next place we traveled to was the Gala- for the flanks of Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador’s pagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, approximately largest mountain. Our first hike took us to the 960 km west of mainland Ecuador. We spent a Polylepis forest, a rather enchanting-looking for- third of our trip on the islands, island hopping, est with peeling, crooked trees. Tony explained hiking, snorkeling… and, yes, attending lectures. to us that these trees are a lot older than their It felt very much like a vacation, but all these ac- size would suggest, due to the harsh environment tivities were fundamental to the course content. associated with higher elevations and that their The Galapagos Islands are a biodiversity hotpot, papery bark was an adaptation for protection which makes them a great place to see many against forest fires. This was the first place where different species, and, unfortunately, also means we had a lecture outside of a classroom. It was that it is under threat from humans. Also, island an incredible learning experience to be in the lo- fauna have few predators, so they are tamer than cation of your lecture topic, especially since these most continental species. Translation: sea lions forests are in serious decline due to deforestation. will try to play with you when you are snorkel- View of Mount Chimborazo from our We all felt an overpowering sense of conservation ing. A large portion of the course content was accommodations in Achiknan urgency as we took notes leaning up against these on plate tectonics and volcanism and what better way to learn than to hike on a volcano itself! The value of this trip cannot be expressed in monetary terms and it was something different for each of us: it gave a face to environmental issues, it was a chance to meet like-minded individuals, it offered escape from the everyday, it was the best classroom we’ve ever had. This was an experience we are sure to remember every day and for the rest of our lives. article and photographs by jennifer shiller and christine leduc. jennifer is a major in environmental geography, minor in human geography, minor in visual art and starting an msc in physical geography in september at u of t. christine is a minor in physical geography, minor in zoology and a major in forestry. pg. 20 pg. 21 student field trips faculty Books GGR 390: Gallivanting in the Northeastern Appalachians of Sutton,Quebec The Contours of America’s Cold War (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2010) n early September of 2010, nineteen students of spaghetti and tomato sauce, which was quite interested in further developing skills for field had the opportunity to start the fall term one filling. work in physical geography. The professors and by matthew farish week early. Though this may have cut short Later that night a welcoming group meet- the TA were great and were enormously helpful. n The Contours of America's Cold War, Mat- brought together as strategic spaces or categories ourI summer vacation, on the plus side, we began ing clarified the program for the week and what Camaraderie is a great way to work, and so is thew Farish explores new ways of concep- that provided a cartographic orientation for the classes in the beautiful mountains of Sutton, was expected of us. The meeting also gave us a having an outdoor classroom! tualizing space as part of post-World War II Cold War and influenced military deployments, Quebec. The ‘classroom’ section of the course chance to introduce ourselves: it was great to see AmericanI militarism. He demonstrates how the diplomacy, espionage and finance. was to be completed in one week, while we people from so many different backgrounds and by anna agosta g’meiner. anna is a double social sciences were militarized in the early Cold Farish analyzes the surprising range of would, in groups, continue developing research fields. major in physical geography and environ- War period, producing spatial knowledge that knowledge production involved in claiming and papers throughout the fall semester with a final Over the next five days we hiked, took mea- mental policy and practice was of immediate use to the state as it sought to classifying American space. Backed by military presentation in November. surements, collected data, and explored beautiful expand its reach across the globe. and intelligence funding, physicists, policy mak- Sutton offered an ideal setting for learning Mount Round Top, as well as its accompanying Geographic knowledge generated for ers, soldiers and social scientists came together to about field methods used in biogeography, fluvial streams. In addition, we developed our own the Cold War was a form of power, and it was study and shape the United States and its place in geomorphology, soil science and other physical research projects. For some of us, this was the given an urgency in the panels, advisory boards a divided world. geography fields. first time collecting our own data. and study groups established to address the chal- Our trip was supervised by Professor Joe We did have rain for about a day and lenges of an atomic world. He investigates how Matthew Farish is an Associate Professor in the Desloges, Professor Sarah Finkelstein and our a half, which made taking measurements a the scales of the city, the continent, the region, department. TA Roger Phillips. All three have been running little wet, but resulted in great data for stream the globe and, by extension, outer space, were the course successfully for a number of years discharge, and made the hot tub that much more resulting in a well-organized routine. The trip welcoming. The rest of the days collecting data started early on a Sunday morning in Toronto: went very smoothly, and ended on a very good Love in the Time of AIDS we loaded up the equipment, piled into three and sunny note. (Co-published by Indiana University Press and KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2010) vans, and took off. Learning began on the road We finished off our week with an evening in as we used a field guide to track glacier landforms town, showing off our dancing skills to the local by mark hunter along the way, and got acquainted with our car Suttonions. Overall we had a great time and I n some parts of South Africa, more than mates. would highly recommend this course to anyone one in three people are HIV positive. Love Six hours later we were in Sutton, a small, in the Time of AIDS explores transforma- quaint town, similar in feel to those in rural tionsI in notions of gender and intimacy to try to Ontario with the added towering beauty of a understand the roots of this virulent epidemic. mountainous landscape unique to the Appa- By living in an informal settlement and collect- lachians. Comfortable accommodations at the ing love letters, cell phone text messages, oral Hotel Horizon afforded us the added perks of a histories, and archival materials, Mark Hunter hot tub, swimming pool and tennis courts! Not details the everyday social inequalities that have that any of us played tennis… though we did all resulted in untimely deaths. Hunter shows how make good use of the hot tub and pool. first apartheid and then chronic unemploy- The first order of business was setting up ment have become entangled with ideas about the weather stations that would record data to femininity, masculinity, love, and sex and have be used later on in our assignments. There were created an economy of exchange that perpetuates quite a few hands at the ready and they went the transmission of HIV/AIDS. This sobering up fast. We were then introduced to our first ethnography challenges conventional under- famous Hotel Horizon dinner, a massive plate standings of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Mark Hunter is Assistant Professor in Social Sciences/Geography at the University of Toronto Scarborough and Research Associate in the School of Professor Sarah Finkelstein giving a lecture on the summit of Mount Round Top. In the Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal. background is the Canada/USA border. The tallest peak, Whiteface Mountain, is in New York and the mountain chain in front, the Green Mountains, is in Vermont. Canadian Urban Regions (Oxford University Press, 2011) edited by larry s. bourne, tom hutton, richard shearmur and jim simmons ringing together some of the most building a contextual framework, on to practical respected scholars in the discipline, case studies about evolving political, economic, Canadian Urban Regions: Trajectories of and urban changes in five of Canada's major BGrowth and Change is an innovative exploration cities - Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and of current trends and developments in urban Vancouver - before finally moving on to a discus- geography. Combining theoretical perspectives sion of the future of the discipline. with contemporary insights, the text reveals how the economic welfare of Canada is increas- Larry Bourne is a Professor Emeritus in the ingly determined by the capacity of its cities to department, Senior Associate with the Cit- function as sites of innovation, creativity, skilled ies Centre and a Fellow with the Global Cities labour formation, specialized production, and Program. Jim Simmons is a Professor Emeritus global-local interaction. The text moves from in the department. pg. 22 pg. 23 photography by lip liew Books Reflections on the History of Geography at the University of Toronto edited by virginia maclaren and gunter gad his book celebrates the 75th anniversary Contributing authors: John Warkentin, Marie of the Department of Geography at the Sanderson, Andrew H. Clark, Jacob Spelt, Jock University of Toronto. It is not meant Galloway, Dick Baine, Matthew Farish, Michael Tto be a complete history of the department but Bunce, Thomas McIlwraith, Byron Moldofsky, rather a history of selected moments and events. Joan Winearls, Joe Whitney, Gunter Gad, Jan Some of the 16 contributions are based on remi- Masijauskas, Virginia Maclaren. niscences and some are based on archival research and interviews. Some are a bit of both. Chapter Purchase a copy today authors include current and emeritus professors, You can purchase a copy online at: current and retired staff, and alumni. http://alumni.utoronto.ca/GeoHistoryBook Read about various periods in the depart- ment’s history (the early years, the middle Send cheque made out to the University of years), geography and geographic education, the Toronto, or cash to: quantitative revolution in geography, GIS and Geography Main Office cartography, the map library, geography at UTM Sidney Smith Hall, Room 5047 and UTSC, the internationalization of geogra- 100 St. George Street, Toronto ON M5S 3G3 phy, planning and geography, and a student’s perspective from the early 1990s. Cost: $23 ($20 + $3 shipping)

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