November 8 is World Town Planning Day! Planners and communities all over the world come together to celebrate how good planning improves the lives of people and benefits society at large, creating places to live, work, and play together. World Town Planning Day serves as a call to action to create inclusive, resilient spaces that meet the diverse needs of present and future generations. World Town Planning Day is celebrated in 30 countries on four continen
We are excited to announce a new funded project titled "Bridging Rural Insights: Integrating Research, Policy, and Development". The funding will support knowledge translation through the 2025 Rural Symposium and the Rural Review: Ontario Rural Planning, Development, and Policy.
The Rural Symposium is an opportunity for University of Guelph graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to showcase their rural research to Government of Ontario staff, rural co
The November 2024 newsletter contains updates to graduate students working with me and recent alumni. The newsletter contains information for graduate students working with me and recent alumni. This newsletter shares information about our academic programs, celebrate receive achievements, profiles an RPD graduate, and share insights on upcoming events. If you have information to share in the monthly update do not hesitate to let Ryan know via email.
The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development renewed its partnership with the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health on October 30, 2024. The new five year memorandum of understanding continues to promote opportunities for research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization among students and faculty members in the School and across the university.
The Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is an organization focused on improving he...
Economic development practitioners, health practitioners, and researchers shared their insights and experience on twelve critical topics to the future of rural communities and regions at the Rural Talks to Rural Conference last week. The interactive session allowed conference participants to learn more about current best practices, learn about existing programming, and to hear about current research. Participants had the opportunities to migrate between ...
Throughout the week, the Rural Planning and Development social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter) are sharing reflections and contributions from the 2024 Rural Symposium. Presentation and poster contributions from the 2024 Rural Symposium can be found online - https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/ruralReview.
Details about the 2025 Rural Symposium are forthcoming - stayed tuned.
On 18 September 2024, five graduate students set out to collect information from businesses owners in Seaforth, Ontario to better understand the realities of attracting and retaining employees. Paul Sitsofe (Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development student), Paul Anim (Master of Science in Capacity Development and Extension student), Lucas Berek (Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development student), Calum Jacques (Master of Science in Ru...
Farmland preservation is critical to the future of rural Ontario. The Connecting the Dots initiative is excited share the first Rural Research Summary - Farmland Preservation and Urban Expansion in Ontario. This summary sheds light into the challenges and strategies associated with balancing farmland preservation amidst growing urban development pressures, providing implications and practical recommendations for policymakers, planners, and community stakeh
Businesses across rural Ontario are confronted with challenges and opportunities in attracting and retaining workers. On 18 September 2024 (Wednesday), researchers from the University of Guelph will be in Seaforth to speak with businesses to better understand these local issues related to attracting and retaining workers. All businesses are invited to share their perspectives in a brief 5 minute discussion. Researchers will pop into businesses in t
Congratulations to everyone who completed their academic program of study at the conclusion of the summer 2024 semester:
Jennifer Aikman, Master of Planning
Joshua Barrett, PhD in Rural Studies
Ken Chew, Master of Science (Planning)
Mohammed Jalabi, Master of Science (Planning)
Niju Mathew, Master of Science (Planning)
Kalind Patel, Master of Planning
Geetanjali Rana, Master of Planning
Andrea Torok, Master of Science (P...
