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.