Planning

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9923

This is the collection for the University of Waterloo's School of Planning.

Research outputs are organized by type (eg. Master Thesis, Article, Conference Paper).

Waterloo faculty, students, and staff can contact us or visit the UWSpace guide to learn more about depositing their research.

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Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Cannabis and Rural Land Use Conflicts in Southern Ontario
(University of Waterloo, 2021-06-08) Boerema, Gerrit; Dean, Jennifer
With the recent introduction of the Cannabis Act, S.C. 2018, c. 16, cannabis production for recreational and medicinal purposes has significantly increased which has resulted in impacts on rural communities. This research explores the impacts that legalized cannabis production has had on communities but understanding how municipalities in rural Ontario have utilized policy tools to respond to increasing cannabis production pressures, and what are the challenges and benefits of cannabis production for rural municipalities. Local zoning bylaws were reviewed in addition to interviews with key informants to answer the research questions. The research found that there were both benefits and challenges as a result of cannabis production for rural communities which resulted in a wide range of regulatory practices in Southern Ontario. The research also found that there were specific challenges for policy makers. A standardized methodology and guideline for siting cannabis production facilities, similar to what has been done in Ontario for livestock facilities, would assist rural municipalities and policy makers in achieving greater compatibility.
Combining Knowledge: Exploring Knowledge of Indigenous Needs and Planning Practices among Practicing Planners
(University of Waterloo, 2017-08-30) Goodbrand, Nicole; Dean, Jennifer
With the recent publication of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, the 150th celebration of Canada's confederation, and the Duty to Consult obligation for the Crown in Canada, increased focus on Indigenous peoples, engagement, and reconciliation has emerged within Canada. Along with these changes, planning practice is trying to keep pace through policy changes and increased expectations on planners in practice. As caretakers and protectors of land, planners are expected to know when and how to engage appropriately with Indigenous populations in relation to land use. How planners gain this knowledge and approach these processes is still relatively unknown. This research explores the perceptions and understandings of planning with Indigenous peoples among municipal planners in Southern Ontario.This study was guided by the following research objectives: i) assess the level of knowledge current practicing planners had in Southern Ontario on Indigenous issues, ii) pilot a potential form of an educational resource to expand current knowledge, iii) monitor said educational resource’s effectiveness, and iv) analyze two sources of potential knowledge formation. Interviews, an educational intervention, and textual discourse analysis were used as data collection techniques to explore these topics through a mixed methods case study approach. This research provides a discussion on the current status and nature of municipal planners’ indigenous knowledge, while also providing recommendations for further work in the area. As efforts to improve relationships and move towards reconciliation continue to become bigger priorities in Canada, the planning profession has to continually look at the ways it approaches consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities.
Examining the Livability of a Day Program for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Memory-related Disorders: A Case Study of The Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy
(University of Waterloo, 2016-10-27) Lacey-Avon, Stephanie; Dean, Jennifer; Jonas-Simpson, Christine
The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related disorders (ADMRD) is increasing at substantial rates. A specific challenge for planners is to build non-institutional environments that can accommodate the desire to age in place for this demographic. Planning initiatives that support ageing in place are embedded within broader healthy community objectives of creating livable communities. Livable communities are intended to positively influence the quality of life of all individuals. However, the inherent problem pervasive in literature is to understand how livability objectives overlap with ageing in place objectives (CMHC, 2008). Adult day programs have been identified as an effective type of community-based care to assist those with dementia to age in place. The focus of this study was to take the concept of livability and consider its applicability to an academy for those with dementia in Toronto. Through this, findings seek to provide information on how physical and social environmental characteristics influence livability of adult day programs for those with dementia. This study was guided by the following research objectives: 1) to assess the role of physical and social environments when considering the livability of an academy; 2) to identify whether livability is an appropriate measure of small-scale environments such as the academy and whether the concept is appropriate for ADMRD populations; and 3) to determine if adult day programs are an effective solution for mitigating rising care needs for those with ADMRD. A mixed methods case study approach was used. Data collection techniques included a built environment audit, time-lapse mapping, an art-analysis, and covert-overt observations. Results from this study suggest the academy effectively incorporated both physical and social environmental elements, contributing towards a cohesive space. As well, livability can be measured in small-scale environments such as the academy and capture the needs of those with ADMRD. Livability is widely used in planning policy as a term to coin environments that are desirable, healthy, and enhance community well-being (Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, 2006). Findings recommend for planners to retrofit and ensure that the concept of livability encompasses quality of living standards for all ages in order to make an integrated approach to decision-making. As well, adult day programs should be recognized in zoning by-laws as a stand-alone use, and regarded as an effective way to mitigate rising care needs for those with ADMRD. There are changes beginning to take place within the built form, such as the promotion of Smart Growth development, although a complete paradigm shift from the way environments were conventionally planned will take some time.
Exploring Peel Region’s “Healthy Development Assessment” Healthy Built Environment Tool and Policy-Making Process: Critical Lessons for Future Research and Policy.
(University of Waterloo, 2019-08-12) Godfrey, Nicholas; Dean, Jennifer
The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the critical literature on “healthy built environment” planning policy-making. It applies the theories of post-politics and policy mobilities against a case study of Peel Region’s Healthy Development Assessment, to understand how the concept of “health” is defined and operationalized in practice. Health based policy tools in planning are a burgeoning area of focus, and one that is becoming particularly influential in Ontario. Peel Region was an early adopter of the initiation of a healthy development tool process to monitor potential health outcomes of private developments. This process began in 2005 and continued until the development of the Healthy Development Checklist in 2016. As a growing field, there is a little research conducted on how “health” is defined in these processes, who gets to define health, and what limitations there are to more broad definitions of health. This study used qualitative research methods and semi-structured interviews with 11 research participants involved with Peel’s policy-making process. The results highlight that with post politics, there are barriers to the conditions in which policy-making takes place that discipline practitioners from exploring wider definitions of health that are in line with post-political planning: the use of “health” as an empty signifier to advance an uncritical pro-growth agenda that is politically neutral. With policy mobilities, the study explores local contingencies that enabled the strategic advancements Public Health used to insert itself into conversations with decision-makers in planning, transportation and engineering, and to give it a voice that – while defining health more narrowly than preferred - still allowed the department to be part of the conversation on planning priorities, and positioned to develop its voice in future policy decisions affecting built form. The thesis concludes with recommendations on future research and policy actions.
Flexible Fixtures: An Exploratory Study on the Emergence & Mobilization of the Flexible Streets Concept in Ontario Municipalities
(University of Waterloo, 2021-02-16) O'Neill, Theresa; Dean, Jennifer
The most plentiful public space within Canadian cities are the streets; however, these spaces are overwhelmingly dominated by automobiles with much of the space designated for vehicular traffic flows. So often, the leftover space for other road users, like pedestrians and cyclists, is non-existent or inadequate. Roadway design practices have long allowed for – and exacerbated, this prioritization of transportation modes in public rights-of-way. Despite the auto centric planning and design approach common to roadways, the latter half of the 20th Century saw the origination of non-traditional design approaches that sought to reimagine streets as spaces where pedestrians and cyclists were equals. Recently, there have been a number of streetscape redesign projects implemented in Ontario referred to as flexible streets. This particular design concept was not well-known, nor had it been addressed in academic literature. The purpose of this study was to explore the flexible streets design concept and how such streetscape projects are being implemented across municipalities in Ontario, Canada. Through an exploratory qualitative research design, analysis of relevant planning and design policy documents, as well as public feedback was undertaken. Considered against the backdrop of long-time automobile priority in roadway design, this research found that flexible streets are a unique streetscape design approach stemming from the Shared Streets concept most common in the United Kingdom. Flexible streets are a relatively new streetscape design approach compared with other non-traditional street design concepts. The distinguishing features of flexible streets uncovered though this research include the intention of facilitating a street that provides equitable space and safety for all types of users, including pedestrians of all abilities, cyclists, and automobiles. Flexible streets were evidenced to be implemented in the downtown areas of Ontario municipalities with the express intention of being more than simply a transportation conduit. It is a distinct design concept that endeavors to create modular streetscapes that can easily transition into expansive public spaces for uses such as community events or expanded patios for restaurants. Lastly, conducted in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, this work is reflected upon given both public health and racial justice concerns as streets are public spaces where these issues have been particularly visible.
Investigating Age-Friendly Communities through Walkability
(University of Waterloo, 2016-09-08) Lee, Emerald; Dean, Jennifer
Walkability is a measure of how conducive a particular area is to active transportation, specifically towards walking. Research had placed more emphasis on objective measures of walkability, utilizing audits, indices, and GIS tools to assess urban form. There was considerable less use of subjective experiences to evaluate walking environments until fairly recently (Montemurro, et al., 2011). In accordance to aging populations across developed cities and their shifting needs, research has now redirected its focus to how seniors perceive walkability. This study investigated the relationship between objective and subjective measures of walkability for senior populations. The objectives of this research are to: i) assess objective walkability in two neighbourhoods within the City of Toronto, Wychwood and Edenbridge-Humber Valley, contrasting of urban form and walkability; ii) investigate the subjective ecological factors that influence how walkability is perceived; and iii) determine the relationship between both measures of walkability relative to senior populations. The multi-phased, mixed-methods approach used in this study required both objective and subjective tools to assessing walkability. The walkability audit, the Senior Walking Environmental Assessment Tool – Revised (SWEAT-R) served as the objective measure and was performed on multiple occasions within both neighbourhoods. Subjective measures included the use of focus groups, go-along interviews, and traditional interviews. A total of twenty-eight participants across both neighbourhoods were recruited and spoken to, upon which saturation in data was reached. The findings of this research echoed the efficacy of objective measures widely cited in literature, while underscoring the importance of subjective measures in determining contexts that influence perceptions of walkability and walking behaviour outcomes. Objective assessments did not adequately capture the holistic relationships between seniors and their surrounding environments. Planners, public health, and other experts interested in promoting active transportation and healthy built environments for age-friendly communities must utilize effective tools to assess neighbourhood walkability. This study presents suggestions for improved walkability assessments.
Participatory Budgeting in the City of Kitchener: Influencing Perceptions of Park Access, Park Use and Citizen Engagement
(University of Waterloo, 2020-09-04) Curtis, Alison Maeve Patricia; Dean, Jennifer
There is consensus among urban researchers that access to public parks and participation in the planning process are important aspects of urban life. Public parks provide mental and physical health benefits to individuals, while also helping to promote sense of community and social cohesion. Involvement in the planning process can help to empower residents and allow them to positively shape their environment, while also creating effective and efficient planning outcomes. Despite these benefits, some city dwellers, particularly low-income and ethnic minority groups, perceive these spaces and opportunities as inaccessible. This can result in poorer health outcomes for these groups, as well as non-inclusive and non-representative participation in the planning process. The purpose of this study was to examine the Participatory Budgeting (PB) process, which more directly involves the public in the planning process, as a potential tool to address these issues. A mixed methods approach was used to assess the City of Kitchener’s PB Pilot Project, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative key informant interviews to gather data. The results showed that PB could help to improve perceptions of access and increase the use of parks, as well as positively influence citizen engagement. Key informants identified that PB gave residents autonomy, influence, and ownership in the decision-making process, which resulted in park space that reflects their needs and over which they have ownership. For these reasons, key informants thought that PB could positively influence perceptions of access and park use. A third of the survey participants indicated that their barriers to park use would be reduced, suggesting their perceptions of access improved, and 57 per cent of participants indicated that their park use would increase. The increased outreach efforts by the City were noted as key to increasing and expanding participation, which was confirmed by the survey results, as 54 per cent of respondents were involved sometimes or never prior to the Pilot Project. Key informants identified the potential for PB to empower and increase future civic engagement, as residents were able to see the direct impacts of their involvement, as well as build relationships, social capital, and democratic capacity. The survey results also indicated that PB could increase civic engagement, as 46 per cent of participants said that their participation would increase. This study recommends PB as a tool for planners to develop positive perceptions of park access, increase park use, and positively influence the citizen engagement process.
Perspectives of Older Adult Cyclists on E-bikes As a Way to Prolong Mobility
(University of Waterloo, 2020-01-13) Donato, Edward; Dean, Jennifer
In Canada, population aging will become an increasingly challenging issue as the proportion of the senior population is rapidly growing where it is expected to increase from 15.6% to 23% of Country’s total population by 2030 (Government of Canada, 2019). This growth Indicates a greater need to ensure that Canadian cities provide opportunities for older adults to age-in-place as these cities lack the density and connectivity needed to encourage active trips (Barnett et al. 2017; Cerin et al. 2017). This study investigates how e-bikes and e-trikes can prolong older adult mobility to support aging-in-place using the following research objectives: i) understand how older adults’ perceptions and experiences that influence their future adoption; ii) To investigate which technological aspects of e-bikes and/or e-trikes are supportive for older rider; and, iii) To examine the built environment determinants of e-bikes and/or e-trike use among older adult riders. The qualitative approach used a modified go-along interview method to explore the thoughts and experiences of e-bikes and e-trikes from older adult cyclists using targeted sampling techniques (Palinkas et al., 2015). The study reached saturation after a total of 12 older adult cyclists were interviewed using the modified go-along process. The findings of this study found that e-bikes and e-trikes can prolong older adult mobility, allowing them to age-in-place in Canadian communities. It was due to their ability to reduce the barriers associated with cycling, allowing older adults to maintain their social relationships and overall health. Although the technology itself can prolong mobility, the place has an equally important role in facilitating their use through clear policies and supportive cycling infrastructure. This study provides recommendations for older adult e-bike adoption.
A Place to Grow? A Comparative Content Analysis of London and Toronto Ontario and the Importance of Public Green Spaces for Community Well-Being During and After COVID-19
(University of Waterloo, 2022-01-31) Nooren, Lindsay; Dean, Jennifer
Public green spaces represent key aspects of our communities for a variety of reasons. Evidenced through decades of planning scholarship, well established, attractive, and accessible public green spaces can promote community health and wellbeing while supporting other elements of healthy cities, like climate resilience and adaptation. However, when the coronavirus pandemic caused the safety of these spaces to come into question for fear of community transmission, questions regarding the accessibility, availability, and equity aspects of their planning and design came to the surface as well. The coronavirus had profound influence on the demand for public green space as necessary amenities and services had been shuttered, and those who lacked private yard space in denser urban communities longed for an escape from prolonged stay at home orders. As our public health and safety came to odds with each other, these areas began to populate, and cities struggled to grapple with overcrowding in public parks and open spaces. This illustrated systemic gaps that have been deeply ingrained in planning policy and practise for years when it comes to the adequate balance between the dispersion of these spaces and the densification of urban areas like London and Toronto. Historically, planning has come to focus on these spaces as a luxury for white affluent communities and a selling point for prime real estate while other vulnerable communities go underserved and lack access to safe, accessible, and attractive public green space. The findings demonstrate how the urban development has continued to exacerbate inequities in cities by facilitating a disregard for the importance of public green spaces in communities. This study found that this is due to a lack of policy direction and support in addition to a rationale behind public green space planning that does not take a holistic approach to aesthetics, luxury, climate resilience, and public health. This research showed how cities like London and Toronto have not prioritized a balance between space and density while they continue to rapidly grow and urbanize. By comparing both a mid and large sized city, this study was able to draw similarities and difference across urban contexts by focusing on the priorities and strategies for public health, growth, and public green spaces employed by either location. In the final phase of research, the study looked to world renowned examples for green planning like Vancouver and Copenhagen to identify applicable strategies that could work in either location. The results of these findings give key recommendations for how municipalities address this balance in post COVID-19 recovery. These recommendations consider the reprioritization of public green space in planning and practise to support a holistic approach to urban development, the establishment of clear definitions for the varying types and sizes of these spaces, a measurement to understand how much greenspace exists at a micro level, and a need for development applications to respond to that measurement. These results indicate that the pandemic set off red flags for unbalance between space and place in dense urban centres yet provides a unique opportunity to move away from decades of poor planning decisions in the future.
Planning for Controversial Land Uses: The Case of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (MMDs) in Toronto
(University of Waterloo, 2018-05-03) Johnson, David; Dean, Jennifer
Medical marijuana dispensaries (MMDs) have been opening in cities across Canada in response to changing legislation that supports the use of marijuana to treat certain health conditions. There currently is an absence of standard procedures for siting dispensaries that sell this controlled substance. Further confusing the issue is that the federal government has promoted the future decriminalization and legalization of marijuana for recreational use. With rapidly changing federal laws and provincial guidelines for medical and recreational marijuana use, there is a need to assess the impacts of MMDs at the municipal level both in terms of planning policies and practices that provide guidance for the siting of MMDs, and for balancing diverging expectations and reactions from multiple publics. This study discusses the findings of a case study of medical marijuana dispensaries in Toronto, Ontario. This study collected qualitative data about the existence and siting of this controversial land use from key informants working in Toronto as well as conducted a media analysis of recent MMD articles from two local newspapers. Findings highlight the multiple and competing perspectives of citizens, advocates and policy-makers with respect to MMDs and the public good. Findings also indicate that there was no public consultation before enforcement efforts against the MMDs. Future research directions and policy implications will be discussed.
“We're not just about building subdivisions. We can also do good things for the world”: Private Developers and Active Transportation Implementation in the Region of Waterloo
(University of Waterloo, 2022-12-07) Richards, Graham; Dean, Jennifer
Since the mid-19th century, Canada’s population has become more urbanized as Canadians choose to live in one of its major urban centres, such as the Region of Waterloo. As this trend continues into the 21st century, increased demands have been placed on urban transportation infrastructure and services. Development patterns in Canadian cities have been predominately car-oriented creating negative health impacts for citizens and hindering climate action goals. Active transportation, such as walking and bicycling, has been promoted as a way to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Support for active transportation planning exists in current provincial, regional, and local planning policies. Private developers are an important part of transforming these policies into the built environment. However, previous research has shown that translating policies to practice has encountered barriers including processes that have not evolved to meet demands. Additionally, the role of private developers in implementing active transportation policies and collaboration methods between the public and private sectors remains a gap in current research. The purpose of this study was to explore the role private developers play in achieving the goals of the Region of Waterloo’s active transportation plans. An explanatory qualitative study design was chosen to explore the current planning framework and gather information through the use of document analysis and 17 key informant interviews from both the public and private sectors. The results show that there are four main barriers for private developers in achieving active transportation goals: excessive vehicle parking requirements, the lack of measures of success, the integration of active transportation initiatives into policy, and the limited methods of collaboration between the public and private sectors. This study presents recommendations to reduce or remove these barriers that can be applied by the Region of Waterloo and/or private developers to facilitate improved implementation of active transportation plans. Although focused on the Region of Waterloo, this research can be applied by planners in other Ontario municipalities to improve active transportation networks and contributes to the body of knowledge on the relationship between the public and private sectors in planning.

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