Urban planning education after Black Lives Matter

2022
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Cecille de Laurentis

“If planners are serious about pursuing equity and racial justice [following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests], they must commit to breaking both the barriers between theory and practice and those between planners and their constituents. A planning education that does this meaningfully will have transformative potential.”  To deliver on stated commitments towards racial justice, de Laurentis calls for professional planning education to reconnect with experiential learning and highlights several existing programs as case studies. The article reminds us that planning practice is to be based on an understanding of our local communities, continuously questioned to be relevant with the times, and is ultimately about empowering people. The jury noted the viability and efficacy of de Laurentis’ recommendation for experiential learning to have, in her words, transformative potential, making working towards racial justice a possible future that is within reach.

Pandemic Patios and “Flat White” Urbanism

2021
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Amina Yasin, Daniella Fergusson RPP, MCIP

Pandemic Patios and “Flat White” Urbanism highlights how existing inequality in our society with already vulnerable members of our communities has been further compounded during the COVID-19 pandemic. As planners, we must reprioritize public interventions on redress, anti-racism and anti-ableism. This article highlights opportunities to do so, immediately, through land use planning tools such as zoning by-laws, emphasizing public spaces and the public realm and by making contributions to food security.

The jury commends the authors for not only highlighting the inequalities that exist and how the gap has been further exacerbated through the COVID-19 pandemic, but also for providing thoughtful analysis and opportunities to challenge planners to think more inclusively in all aspects of community planning.

The future is not what it used to be: changing travel demands and their implications for transport planning

2020
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Todd Litman

“Where is my rocket belt?”, asks the author rhetorically in this engaging and timely article, which outlines the planner’s role in developing transportation plans. By situating current transportation trends within a broader historical context, Litman reminds us to think critically and retain a healthy dose of skepticism in the face of emerging technologies. It is planners, Litman argues, that have the skills to identify consumer demands and help set community priorities, to evaluate the impacts of plans and technologies, and to communicate with diverse stakeholders. The article is sure to spark conversations about transportation planning amongst readers.

Idle, No More: Defining a planner’s role when civic protest erupts

2019
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Jason Syvixay

Idle, No More: Defining a planner’s role when civic protest erupts provides a thoughtful and encouraging perspective on how communities can mobilize in public spaces to spark conversation and enhance knowledge on important community issues. Protest is often ignored or not viewed as relevant to planning decisions, but can be viewed as a unique opportunity for public engagement and participation in community redevelopment. This article highlights the positive contributions “Meet Me at The Bell Tower” has made in Winnipeg’s Indigenous community as it relates to neighbourhood change, working together, community growth, social participation and systems change.

Between a rock and a hard place: The problems with vagueness and complexity in our (by)laws

2018
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Ola Malik and Stacy McFarlane

Between a rock and a hard place: The problems with vagueness and complexity in our (by)laws provides valuable insight into how bylaws contribute to inequality through vagueness and/or unnecessary complexity. It described very directly, the importance of properly written bylaws and how they need to be clear, simply written, and familiar/consistent to the reader to be effective.

A Roadmap to Independence: The K'ómoks First Nation’s Proactive Approach to Sustainable Land Mgmt

2017
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Alanna Mitchell, Pamela Shaw PhD, MCIP, RPP, FRCGS, and Devon Miller, MSc, LEED AP ND

This article is clearly written and features an integrated planning process that builds on the past to move ideas into action. A participatory process that used an array of unique consultation activities tailored to the community to understand its needs and aspirations and to bring its story to life. The resulting planning tools assist with decision-making, provide recommendations on processes for engaging in productive, respectful and meaningful discussions, and ensure development occurs in a sustainable manner. Together, they are an outstanding example of proactively planning and managing sensitive lands.

Sustainability at the Urban Rural Fringe

2017
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Cian O'Neill BASc, MPL and Dr. Patricia Collins BSc, MSc, PhD

This well written article presented common challenges in planning along the urban/rural fringe. The concept  of the ‘agriburb’ blends the best of New urbanism approaches with the goals of agricultural land preservation to become a new mix of land uses. The authors use an objective method of evaluating the sustainability of agriburbs. In addition, findings of the comparison reveal that agrburbs may compromise the benefits of both suburban nor agricultural developments. The article provides both positive and negative arguments, however concludes that agriburbs may not be an approach that can be widely replicated to produce sustainable communities. In the end, the reader takes away some key lessons learned.The article offers some interesting visuals and is easy to read. Nice to see an article that features a brave attempt at creating a new sustainable urban typology.

The Cart before the Horse: Policy Perspectives on Farm Parcel Creation

2016
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Bryce Sharpe, M.Sc. (Planning) & Wayne Caldwell, PhD, RPP, MCIP

The Cart before the Horse:  Policy Perspectives on Farm Parcel Creation on Mennonite Farms is a referred article that provides unique research on a niche topic. The article presents information that could influence other areas of planning. The article presents a model of farming and planning policy that allows for a return to more sustainable and environmentally sound farming practices, all with consideration to culture.

Communities and the Streets Residents Live On, Linking Neighbourhood Character to Zoning

2016
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Elizabeth Desmarais, MCIP, RPP and Alain Miguelez, MCIP, RPP

Communities and the Streets Residents Live On, Linking Neighbourhood Character to Zoning touches on a timely issue for planners that has transferability to other parts of Canada. The article delves into the City of Ottawa’s Streetscape Character Analysis, a response to an Ontario Municipal Board Order, which prescribes zoning approaches for urban residential infill. The article excels at addressing the subjective topic of aesthetics versus the character of a neighbourhood. 

Cycling Through Winter

2015
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Cara Fisher

Cycling Through Winter presents a good discussion on the cycling experiences and path maintenance issues across a number of winter cities. An emerging topic for planners today, as demand for cycling infrastructure grows, the article featured clear and concise graphics, was well organized and offered readers thorough recommendations on the inclusion of alternative transportation in urban centers. The author also provides a good comparison on how other winter cities across the globe are adapting their designs for four season use.

Leveraging Transit Investment to Shape the Community: Waterloo Region’s Central Transit Corridor Community Building Strategy

2015
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Kevin Curtis, MCIP, RPP and Melanie Hare, MCIP, RPP

Leveraging Transit Investment to Shape the Community clearly summarizes the Community Building Strategy’s forward-thinking Planning process and efforts to bring improved transit to Ontario’s Waterloo Region. The article content on the interim conditions and projected future of the region’s transit was enhanced through the images and graphics provided by the authors. The article offered readers relevant takeaway information on the extensive community engagement processes required for such a broad reaching and long range plan, as well as municipality collaboration to identify common interests and align policy decisions to better implement a grand vision that extends beyond political boundaries. 

Investing in New York's Future. Affordable Rental Housing in Mixed Income Projects.

2014
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Dr. Sasha Tsenkova PHD, MCIP, RPP

Dr. Tsenkova’s well-researched article provides an invaluable presentation of the affordable rental housing mechanisms and policy context in New York City. The author presents the innovative financing mechanisms implemented in a clear and meaningful way. The discussion of the New York City experience provides good insights that could have an impact in the provision of affordable housing in Canadian cities.

Shifting Gears: The Emergence of Cycle Tracks in The Canadian Urban Landscape

2014
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Brian Patterson, MCIP, RPP

The article provides a thorough and illustrative presentation of the link between cycling and the built environment in Canadian cities. The authors use a mix of statistics and real case examples in an interesting and meaningful manner to illustrate best bicycle infrastructure planning practices. The invaluable content of the article will undoubtedly help Canadian planning researchers and practitioners refine their thinking about cycling infrastructures.

A Tale of Two Suburbs: The Physical Plan and its Implications for Active Transportation

2013
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Jeffrey Ward, MCIP, LPP

Planning vs. Human Rights? The Case of Minimum Separation Distances

2013
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Lilith Finkler, PhD

A Virtuous Circle: How Transportation Demand Management Transformed UBC

2012
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Andrew Jackson, MP&D (Research)

The North Saanich Whole Community Agricultural Strategy

2012
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Robert Buchan, MA, FCIP

Renaissance Thinkers for a Fragmented World

2011
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Dr. Pierre Filion, MCIP, RPP

Three Books on Planning

2011
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Joe Berridge, FCIP, RPP

Green with Incentives: Supporting Sustainable Infrastructure and Development

2010
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Carla Stewart, MCIP

Toronto’s Green Roof Policy and Rooftop Food Production.

2010
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Penny Kaill-Vinish

The Print Media and Planning

2009
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
R. Christopher Edey

Renewable Energy: Exploring Options for Farmers, Rural Landowners, and Rural Communities

2009
Category:catégorie : Recognition Award / Prix de reconnaissance
Sarah-Patricia Breen

Canada in the Urban World

2008
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Geoffrey Batzel, MCIP & Daniel Haufschild MCIP

A Reader in Canadian Planning - Linking Theory and Practice

2008
Category:catégorie : Recognition Award / Prix de reconnaissance
Dr. Jill Grant FCIP

The Creative City

2007
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Joe Berridge, FCIP

Some Great Thing

2007
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Book review by John Steil FCIP

Rethinking the Public Interest as a Planning Concept

2006
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Dr. Jill Grant, MCIP

American Planning Association (APA) Policy Guide on Homelessness

2006
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Book review by Dr. Rae Bridgman MCIP

Moving Forward in Canadian Communities: Soliloquy of an Urbanist

2005
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Larry Beasley CM, FCIP

How Cities Work: Suburbs, Sprawl and the Road not Taken by Alex Marshall

2005
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Book review by Ken O'Brien MCIP

Keynote address: Sustainable Cities

2004
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Judith Maxwell CM

Land Use and Transportation / Utilisation des sols et transport: The View from '56, Thoughts on the

2003
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Gordon Price

The Urban Sprawl Debate: Myths, Realities and Hidden Agendas

2002
Category:catégorie : Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Dr. Larry S. Bourne MCIP, RPP

Immigration and the Changing Social Geography of Large Canadian Cities

2001
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Dr. David Ley & Annick Germain

Telling Stories to the Future: Integrative Approaches to Planning for the New Millennium

2001
Category:catégorie : Short Article of the Year / Article de l'année
Dr. Doug Aberley MCIP

Can Planning Save the Suburbs

1999
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Dr. Jill Grant MCIP

A Portrait of Postmodern Planning: Anti-Hero and/or Passionate Pilgrim?/ Portrait d'un urbanisme postmoderne : Anti-héros et/ou infatigable pèlerin ?

1999
Category:catégorie : Exceptional Issue
Dr. Ian Wight MCIP

Canadian Regional Planning at 50: Growing pains

1998
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Dr. Ira Robinson FCIP & Gerald Hodge

The Shape of the Information City: Understanding the impacts of the information revolution on city form

1998
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Pamela Blais MCIP, RPP

From Prophecy to Profit / De la prophétie au profit

1998
Category:catégorie : Departmental Article of the Year
Theresa Baxter MCIP ACP & Gae VanSiri MCIP, ACP

CityPlan: Participation or Abdication?

1997
Category:catégorie : Feature Article of the Year / Article de fond de l'année
Michael Seelig & Julie Seelig

Review: Liberal Dreams and Nature's Limits: Great Cities of North America since 1600

1997
Category:catégorie : Departmental Article of the Year
James T. Lemon, Reviewed by Len Gertler FCIP