The Ontario Professional Planners Institute recently published a story titled "Mobilizing Economic Planning Knowledge
for Rural Ontario" that emerges from research conducted by graduate students and faculty. Take a read of the story based on research by Lucas Berek, Eliza MacLauchlan, Christine Miller, Damilola Oyewale, Natasha Pennell, Avery Velez, and Ryan Gibson.
The May 9, 2025, press conference of the National Housing Standards for Migrant Agricultural Workers at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo provided important insights for planning researchers focused on rural communities. The Coalition for National Housing Standards for Migrant Agricultural Workers (CoNaMi) led by Dr. Susana Caxaj, successfully brought together a diverse mix of voices, including seasoned researchers, passionate advoc
Take a read of a recently published an article by Lucas Berek in the Orangeville Citizen titled "A message from rural Canada to our urban friends". The article focuses on a recent presentation delivered as part of the Team Dufferin - County of Dufferin Tariff Response and Business Resources.
On May 15, 2025, Ryan Gibson shared insights a lunch and learn session co-hosted by the the Community Foundation of Grey Bruce and Brightshores Health Systems Foundation. The event brought together over 30 lawyers and professions to explore how rural areas are places of wealth and to understand that this wealth is increasingly mobile. Without careful consideration, much of it could leave rural areas as younger generations move to urban centres. The present
Calum Jacques recently published Master of Planning (Science) thesis, Agriculture as an Amenity: A Case Study of Peri-Urban Farmland in Tokyo, Japan, examines how small-scale farming continues to exist within Tokyo's expanding urban landscape. Unlike many North American cities where urban development often displaces agriculture, Tokyo has managed to preserve pockets of farmland that serve multiple roles, including food production, education, and disaster p
Sarah-Patricia Breen (Selkirk College), Ryan Gibson (University of Guelph), and Hannah Main (Dalhousie University) recently published a new article in Canadian Public Policy. The article examines the distribution of federal public transit funding, highlighting a significant urban-rural disparity. The authors argue that current federal funding mechanisms predominantly favor urban centers, leaving rural and remote communities underserved. This imbalance not
As part of the 2025 Knowledge Translation and Transfer Conference, Ryan Gibson shared reflections on the Rural Futures: Mobilizing Knowledge and Sustaining Partnerships initiative. The Rural Futures initiative ensured rural knowledge and experiences within the university were translated and mobilized to rural partners in local government, community-based organizations, charities/nonprofits, Indigenous communities, all levels of government, businesses, and ...
Lucas Berek's newly published Master of Science (Planning) thesis, The Living Room of a Rural Community: Economic Development in New Tecumseth, Ontario, offers a timely and nuanced exploration of how rural communities are adapting to rapid change. Using New Tecumseth as a case study, Berek investigates how towns with deep rural roots are responding to rising affordability pressures, shifting demographics, and post-pandemic recovery challenges—all while sit
Congratulation to Calum Jacques for successfully defending his Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development thesis titled, "Agriculture as an Amenity: A Case Study of Peri-Urban Farmland in Tokyo, Japan".
Thank you to members of Calum's examination committee: Prof. Sara Epp, Prof. Silvia Sarapura-Escobar, and Prof. Nicolas Brunet.
Stay tuned for access to Calum's thesis.
Congratulation to Lucas Berek for successfully defending his Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development thesis titled, "The Living Room of a Rural Community: Economic Development in New Tecumseth, Ontario".
Thank you to members of Lucas' examination committee: Prof. Sara Epp, Prof. Silvia Sarapura-Escobar, and Prof. Nadia Amoroso.
Stay tuned for access to Lucas' thesis.
