COVID-19 has created a series of uncertainties for planning programs across Ontario. On July 17, 2020 the Ontario Professional Planners Institute hosted an online webinar to discuss the state of Ontario’s planning schools during and post-COVID-19. The discussion highlighted how planning programs are adjusting the upcoming fall semester due to COVID-19, the impact to capacity and skill set development for students, and long-term strategies. The discussion f
A new publication focused on infrastructure investments to support COVID19 recovery in rural communities was released by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF). As part of CRRF's Rural Insights on COVID-19 Series, the publication examines how rural communities can employ green infrastructure to address post-pandemic recovery and climate reliance. The report emerges from the Building the Future research initiative funded through the Ontario Agr
What is the nexus of regional planning and economic development? What are the key trends impacting the future of regional economic development? Dr. Ryan Gibson shared his perspectives on this nexus with students at Queen's University on March 6. The presentation outlined key trends in economic development, the role of regional planning in economic development, and highlights from current research initiatives.
Many rural businesses struggle to locate sufficient labour force. Many job vacancies go unfilled. How rural communities and businesses are able to attract and retain workers needed to generate economic development and vitality is a critical question. Lissel Hernandez-Gongora, a new postdoctoral fellow with the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will examine this issue in partnership with rural communities and businesses.
Over the next...
During the recent Vision for a Prosperous Tomorrow Conference hosted by the Ontario Good Roads Association Dr. Ryan Gibson participated in a panel discussion on local and regional economic development strategies. Dr. Gibson was joined on the panel by Kathryn Wood (Eastern Ontario Leadership Council), Elliot Siemiatycki, and Paul Ainslie (Councillor, City of Toronto).
Dr. Gibson's contribution highlighted key trends impacting current local and regional eco
Three graduate students were recently profiled by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) as emerging rural scholars! The February 2020 CRRF national newsletter highlighted the research being conducted by Victoria Agyepong, Koren Lam, and Ashleigh Weeden. The research themes are noted below:
Victoria Aygepong: Bringing People to the Centre: Governance of Digital Circular Food Economy in Non-Metro Ontario.
Koren Lam: Rural Telecommuters in
What do philanthropy, infrastructure, and rural policy have in common? These were the topics discussed by Dr. Ryan Gibson on a recent episode of "In No Particular Order" with host Peter Smith.
On February 5, 2020, Peter and Ryan discussed the future of rural communities and recent research that helps rural communities build the future they desire. The podcast features research from the rural philanthropy research, building the future - infrastructure and
Rural communities throughout Ontario are struggling with addressing both economic development and infrastructure. During the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference Dr. Ryan Gibson participated in a panel discussion exploring the realities communities are confronted and the strategies being pursued across Ontario. The panel included Delia Reiche from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, Kate Burns Gallager from the Western Ontario Warden
Helping Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario create comprehensive community plans is exactly the job that Shannon Labelle was searching. Shannon Labelle, a recent graduate of the Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development program at the University of Guelph, was recently interviewed in LIBRANNI. Shannon provides insights into the work she is doing with the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund. You can read about Shannon's work in Northe
