Spencer Andres – Co-President
Hometown: Delta, BC
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Concentration in International Development – Trinity Western University
Current Program: Master of Arts, Planning
Research Topic: Declining Cities
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Seasons
Email: sandres@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Research:
Exploring the challenges and opportunities in declining cities. While many urban centres are thriving, just as many are in decline and in need of new strategies for sustaining the built form and stabilizing the economy of the region. In particular, my research will investigate in process of school closures and the subsequent consequences on the community.
Personal Bio:
I found a passion for planning through the interdisciplinary world of geography. I can’t help but get excited whenever someone says “street interface” or “additional bike lanes.” However, I like other things too, including soccer, volleyball, cooking and a little bit of light reading. Go Canucks Go!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shireen Aslam – Co-President
Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Honours Psychology (Minor in Geography)
Current Program: Master of Environmental Studies, Planning
Research Topic: Spatial epidemiology: wind turbines and possible health effects
Supervisor: Dr. John Lewis
Email: s2aslam@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Research:
The focus of my research will be to examine the Ecological Footprint on a smaller scale (given the tendency to study it from a global or national perspective). I’m interested in exploring what socio-demographic factors contribute to high consumption and production patterns (e.g. excessive use of water and energy, extensive travel distances, gross amounts of accumulated waste, etc.) and whether these patterns can be more attributed to personal factors (e.g. income level, ethnicity, etc.) or situational factors (e.g. access to amenities, dwelling size, living in a newer suburb, etc.)
Personal Bio:
As a student coming from a psychology background, it has always been an interest of mine to study the disconnect between motivation and human behaviour. As I have learned more about the problems related to climate change and sustainability, I have grown passionate to understand how we can promote more sustainable behaviour and minimize our impact on the environment.
As planners, I believe we can play a critical role in shaping our cities in the interest of sustainability and can shape our communities to promote ideals of water conservation, energy efficiency and alternative transportation. With my strong background in research and increasing fascination for the planning discipline, I hope to pursue a career in this field which will allow me to get at the heart of the human-environment interaction.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daniel Hall – Vice President
Hometown: London, Ontario
Undergraduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo
Current Program: M.A. Planning
Research Topic: Public Transportation, Resiliency of Cities
Supervisor: Dr. Jeff Casello
Email: dhall@uwaterloo.ca
Personal Bio:
Some of my friends define me as “mint chocolate chip” if I were an ice cream flavour. I really like ice cream so I thought this would be fitting. Another person labelled me as “sports guy” in the worldwide division of music guy or sports guy. However, I also really enjoy music. If I were describing myself, which is the point of this whole blurb, I would say that I am someone who genuinely enjoys life, someone who seeks to improve, and someone who likes hanging out with friends eating good food.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sonya DeVillis – Secretary
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Undergraduate Degree: Honours BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto
Current Program: MA, Planning
Research Topic: Environmental Planning
Supervisor: Dr. John Lewis
Email: sdevelli@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Research:
My research interest is brownfield revitalization in Ontario, particularly looking at how to finance sites that could be redeveloped as community, environment and education centres. Throughout my research, I will look at two objectives: a) to investigate models of redeveloped brownfields other than those which include residential units, and focus on successful case studies; and b) to determine if this model can be emulated in other cities and towns throughout Ontario.
Personal Bio:
When I travel to a city for the first time, I like to check out places that are off the beaten path, in addition to urban parks, farmers markets and unique architecture. Aside from being on the AGP executive committee, I also volunteer with the University of Waterloo Sustainability Project to look at bringing active and sustainable transportation to campus. Some of my interests include biking, trying new recipes, and taking an occasional dance lesson.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kathy Syzmczak – Co-Social Chair
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Undergraduate Degree: BA Geography at Simon Fraser University
Current Program: MES in Planning
Research Topic: Infill and intensification in Canada’s mid sized cities
Supervisor: Dr. John Lewis
Email: kszymcza@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Research:
Public preference, ecological restoration, 3D geovisualization, GIS
Personal Bio:
My personal interests include outdoor recreation, travelling, sushi and red wine. You can often find me hanging around in the Environment buildings, at the pub and at the local coffee shops.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gavin Williamson – Webmaster
Hometown: Dauphin, MB
Undergraduate Degree: 4-Year BA in Environmental Studies, Urban Policy & the Environment, 3-Year BA in Political Science, and a Certificate in Public Policy Administration – University of Winnipeg
Current Program: Master of Arts, Planning
Research Topic: Urban design, revitalization
Supervisor: Dr. Robert Shipley
Email: g8willia@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Research:
Sports stadiums have become a desirable tool in urban revitalization. For the past 30 years, planners have built stadiums and large convention centres downtown, often in abandoned urban areas or depressed neighbourhoods home to low-to-moderate income people. The construction of these monolithic, modestly-used structures are built without regards to neighbourhood context, and more often than not benefit team owners and suburbanities, rather than the city as a whole.
My intent in Grad School is to research how the design of large-scale buildings can revitalize depressed urban areas, with a focus on Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, ON. A heavy focus is on both neighbourhood morphology and scale, but may cross over into areas concerning land-use, gentrification and transportation planning.
Personal Bio:
I am 6’3 with green eyes, and hail from a stretch of flat land called Manitoba. Among my hobbies: debating, playing guitar and drinking coffee, not to mention representing the cheering section of the Winnipeg Jets here in the centre of the universe!
_____________________________________________________________
Jae-Hyun Park – Treasurer
Hometown: Middle of Nowhere
Undergraduate Degree: B.E.S., Honours Planning with Urban Design Specialization
Current Program: M.A. Planning
Research Topic: Social Planning/Community Development
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Johnson
Email: j38park@uwaterloo.ca
Personal Bio: Sup, I control your money.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Samantha Vigder -WESEF Chair
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Undergraduate Degree: B.A. Sc. from University of Toronto in Engineering Science
Current Program: M.A. Planning
Research Topic: Informal Settlements
Supervisor: Dr. Clarence Woudsma
Email: svigder@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Research:
My plan for a research topic is to explore the effect of big box retail on consumer and freight transportation. I hypothesis that big box retail would increase consumer travel and generate longer and more trips, but will be beneficial for freight transportation since the trucks have less locations to go to and don’t have to travel as far into the urban core. I want to further explore the comparison between the two types of transportation and how they relate to big box retail.
Personal Bio:
My interest in planning and transportation developed during my undergraduate degree, where I specialized in transportation engineering. I found a particular passion for freight transportation during my undergraduate thesis, which involved optimizing truck routing. Since freight is a very important topic that many transportation engineers and planners have little exposure to, it peeked my interest as a research area that should be further explored.
I also enjoy travelling, reading, television and puppies.
______________________________________________________
… Plus Will Van Hemessen, Unofficial Photographer
Association of Graduate Planners (AGP): University of Waterloo 