Celebrating Award-Winning Geography at the University of Toronto ie 1995 to 2018 es + it Jane Macijauskas, editorOur Geographical Worlds: Celebrating Award-Winning Geography at the University of Toronto 1995 to 2018 Edited by Jane Macijauskas ISBN 978-0-7727-8155-0 Copyright © 2022 by the contributing authors Al rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the authors. Co-published by the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni and the Department of Geography and Planning Front Cover Photographs are illustrations contained in the book: Upper left: Chapter 5 — John Warkentin Upperright: Chapter 20~ Kam Wing Chan Upper middle: Chapter | - Daniel Griffith Middle right: Chapter 17 Michael Church Middle left: Chapter 8 - Robert Bateman Middle center: Chapter 17 - Michael Church Bottom left: Chapter 24 -Graeme Wynn Cover design by Jane Macijauskas Our Geograt Celebrating Award-| at the Univers 1995 t Jane Macija Department of Geos University University of Toronto AssocOur Geographical Worlds Celebrating Award-Winning Geography at the University of Toronto 1995 to 2018 Jane Macijauskas, editor Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto University of Toronto Association of Geography AlumniOur Geographical Worlds: Celebrating Award-Winning Geography at the University of Toronto 1995 to 2018 is a special project of the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni in celebration of UTAGA's 25° anniversary in 2018. Copies are available upon request from: ‘The Department of Geography and Planning Sidney Smith Hall 100 St. George Street, Room 5047 Toronto, ON MSS 3G3 mainoffice@geog.utoronto.ca or via the department's website at: Foreword... Editor's Preface.. Introduction. ees ye aD Taste oF C Spatial Correlation is Everyw! Marie E. Sanderson (1921-20 ‘What Do Geographers Do? ~ William C. Wonders (1924-2 ‘A Country Child’s Inner City John Warkentin ... William G. Dean (1921-2009 Richard I. Ruggles (1923-200 Instant Pudding World — Robs ‘Alexander T. Davidson (1926 |. Toronto Geography as Acade Eric Sheppard . Richard P. Baine (1926-2015 My Life as a Planner in Eigh . Reflections on a Serendipitor Christopher Sharpe . |. Climatology: From Step-Sist David Phillips.TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword Editor's Preface.. Introduction, Spatial Correlation is Everywhere ~ Daniel A. Grifith .. Marie E. Sanderson (1921-2010) ~ John Warkenti ‘What Do Geographers Do? ~ J Keith Fraser . ‘William C. Wonders (1924-2011) ~ John Warkentin . ‘A Country Child’s Inner City and Geographical Change ~ John Warkentin William G. Dean (1921-2009) — John Warkentin Richard I. Ruggles (1923-2008) - John Warkentin Instant Pudding World — Robert Bateman. Alexander T. Davidson (1926-2017) ~ John Warkentin |. Toronto Geography as Academic Way-Station — Eric Sheppard. . Richard P. Baine (1926-2015) ~ John Warkentin... .. My Life as a Planner in Eight Oyster Bars ~ Joe Berridge ... . Reflections on a Serendipitous Career in Geography ~ Christopher Sharpe . . Climatology: From Step-Sister to Cinderella ~ David Phillips.15. Trudi E. Bunting (1944-2017) — John Warkentin.. 16. New World Conservation and Old World Preservation — J. David Wood... 17. On Fraser River ~ Michael Church.. 18. Growing Geographic Problems ~ A Thought or Two From a Curmudgeon ~ Douglas MacLeod (1930-2020) 110 19. The Where of Things — Daniel Hiebert . . 116 20. A China Geographer’s View of the World’s Largest Cities — Kam Wing Chan... 122 21. On Becoming a Geographer: A Personal Odyssey — Conrad E. Heidenreich . 128 22. The City as a World: Governing Citizens and Non-Citizens — Engin Isin. . 139 23. Reflections on a Career of Minor and Repeated Border ‘Crossings - Damaris Rose. 147 24. Tantramar Revisited — Or Finding the World in a Few Acres of Mud - Graeme Wynn... 156 25. A Half Century ~ Planning, Not Cricket— Lindsay Dale-Harris . 165 171 Acknowledgements . FORE\ Thank you for your interest University of Toronto geograph the Distinguished Alumni Awar geographers study planet Earth ar for its welfare. ‘Twenty-five years marksa miles Association of Geography Alum Geography and Planning, in partr an Annual Awards Night honour winners from the past 25 years we on a geographic topic that each fi sure that readers will find much wide range of essays. Jane Macijauskas, the editor « accepting the responsibility for project, and John Warkentin is co co-lead. Associate Professor Eme Virginia Maclaren, and Associate Geography Chair, St. George Ca continuous and unwavering supp. Walter Gitow, University of Tor Alumni (UTAGA), Past Preside:FOREWORD Thank you for your interest in this book. In these essays, University of Toronto geography graduates who have received the Distinguished Alumni Award reveal the many different ways geographers study planet Earth and also demonstrate deep concern forits welfare. ‘Twenty-five years marks a milestone for the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni (UTAGA). The Department of Geography and Planning, in partnership with the association, holds an Annual Awards Night honouring Distinguished Alumni. Award winners from the past 25 years were requested to contribute an essay ona geographic topic that each felt was personally important. I'm sure that readers will find much that is thought-provoking in this wide range of essays. Jane Macijauskas, the editor of this book, is congratulated for accepting the responsibility for organizing a 25th anniversary project, and John Warkentin is congratulated for his role as project co-lead. Associate Professor Emerita and former Geography Chair, Virginia Maclaren, and Associate Professor Richard DiFrancesco, Geography Chair, St. George Campus, are congratulated for their continuous and unwavering support of this project. ‘Walter Gitow, University of Toronto Association of Geography ‘Alumni (UTAGA), Past PresidentEDITOR'S PREFACE The University of Toronto Geography department was established in 1935, but it was not until 58 years later that the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni (UTAGA) was created. Over time, this alumni organization has thrived, some years even gaining the enviable distinction of being the most active ‘Arts and Science Alumni organization at U of T. From its early days, the volunteer executive committee of UTAGA has comprised individuals who dedicate their time and talents to the broader alumni cohort and the Department of Geography and Planning, UTAGA, in collaboration with the department, has published biographies on Donald Putnam and George Tatham, and the alumni newsletter, GeoPlan, is available gratis to all geography and planning alumni, UTAGA has organized field trips ranging from Iceland and Haida Gwaii, to Mount Nemo and the Scarborough Blufls, to local walking tours exploring some of Toronto’s unique neighbourhoods. It has hosted lectures and expert panel discussions covering broad-ranging topics, from the work of Médecins Sans Frontieres to the proposed Sidewalk Labs project. It has also maintained a close supportive relationship with the geography undergraduate committee. In 1995, UTAGA established three awards that are bestowed annually at the Geography and Planning Awards Night: the Geography Toronto Award, the Honorary President Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award. The latter is the focus of this publication. The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to alumni of the University of Toronto Geography and Planning Department who have led a career of exceptional distinction and brought honour to the department. This definition may sound like a tall order: “career of exceptional distinction” and “brought honour to the department” vi Our Geogr are lofty goals. However, every yeat nominations for this award, and the highlight what laudable individu Department. The recipients of th they embody the spirit of this aw contributions to various streams of UTAGA celebrated its 25th ann commemoration of this quarter-c established a two-person committ The committee consisted of Johi I was appointed editor. We reach Distinguished Alumni Award to f offering a peek into the landscapes organized chronologically by the reveal the amazing breadth of ex recipients of this award. The title of this book, Our Gee imply how we look at the world # publication committee, we delibera guidelines on what topics contribu invitation to participate in this prc to provide their observations and universal, and perhaps connecting t broad range of essays we received were more extensive than we coul highlight what a diverse and fascin The essays in this book are hig related to wider geographical them ‘meant to comprise nostalgic essays| (although this shone through in sev wrote about what has been or is: world as they have experienced, olthe 3A) tive of ime of the ind ble mo me nd he ibs ed nd is Our Geographical Worlds | Editor's Preface are lofty goals. However, every year the executive receives multiple nominations for this award, and the names of the those put forward highlight what laudable individuals have graduated from the Department. The recipients of this award are truly remarkable; they embody the spirit of this award and have made significant contributions to various streams of geography. UTAGA celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018. As part of the commemoration of this quarter-century milestone, the executive established a two-person committee to produce this publication. The committee consisted of John Warkentin and myself, and I was appointed editor. We reached out to the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award to publish a compilation of essays offering a peek into the landscapes of their minds. The 25 chapters, organized chronologically by the year the award was bestowed, reveal the amazing breadth of experience and knowledge of the recipients of this award. The title of this book, Our Geographical Worlds, is intended to imply how we look at the world through geographers’ eyes. As a publication committee, we deliberately chose not to place stringent guidelines on what topics contributors’ essays could address. The invitation to participate in this project asked the award recipients to provide their observations and thoughts, at any scale, local to universal, and perhaps connecting the two. We were thrilled with the broad range of essays we received in response. The topics covered were more extensive than we could have imagined and served to highlight what a diverse and fascinating breed geographers are. The essays in this book are highly individualistic compositions related to wider geographical themes and concerns. The book is not meant to comprise nostalgic essays on the department nor its history (although this shone through in several essays); rather, contributors wrote about what has been or is significant in their geographical world as they have experienced, observed, and thought about it in viiOur Geographical Worlds | Editor’s Preface their careers. These essays offer a snapshot of moments in time, reminiscences, explorations of global and local critical issues, and an opportunity to better understand the world we live in. They reflect lifetimes dedicated to the field of geography and let us view the world through the eyes of people who have devoted their careers to these fields of study. Unfortunately, by the time this book project started, some of the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were unable to participate. John Warkentin provided short biographies of the professional careers for anyone who had passed away or was too ill to contribute, These essays capture the highlights of illustrious careers and note key achievements that made these individuals candidates to receive this award. Tam excited about this publication and hope that you will enjoy reading its diverse mix of topics and perspectives. Whether you read this book cover to cover, or a selection of its essays, I hope that you will be entertained, exposed to new ideas, and gain an increased appreciation for how wide-ranging and fascinating “ geography” is. Jane Macijauskas, editor INTROD In Our Geographical Worlds, win Association of Geography Alum provide thoughtful and often dec field of geography, society and t the award include both scholar them have had careers in acader secondary education, one in the planning. Five are linked by the Atlas of Canada, among them Bil Historical Atlas project. Some of the award winners some on certain moments of the geography-related topic. Dan Gri Distinguished Alumni Award an¢ autocorrelation, one of the foun leads off the volume. In another explains the science behind fluvial: and how it informs both fisherie the Fraser River. Dan Hiebert exp perspective in understanding imm Syrian refugee crisis. David Wo in the meanings given by geogra Old World to the terms ‘conser Wing Chan describes how defini from those in the West, giving populations than they would have David Phillips discusses the né change and clarifies the oft-mis climate and weather. Doug Mac change theme, expressing his conce, a= a INTRODUCTION In Our Geographical Worlds, winners of the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni’s Distinguished Alumni Award provide thoughtful and often deeply personal perspectives on the field of geography, society and the environment. The winners of the award include both scholars and practitioners. Eighteen of them have had careers in academia, three in government, one in secondary education, one in the arts and two in the profession of planning. Five are linked by their contributions to the Historical Alas of Canada, among them Bill Dean, who was Director of the Historical Atlas project. Some of the award winners reflect on their whole careers, some on certain moments of their careers, and some on a single geography-related topic. Dan Griffith was the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award and his essay on the topic of spatial autocorrelation, one of the foundational concepts of geography, leads off the volume. In another topic-based essay, Mike Church explains thesciencebehind fluvialsedimenttransportand deposition, and how it informs both fisheries and flood risk management in the Fraser River. Dan Hiebert explains the utility of a geographical perspective in understanding immigration, using the example of the Syrian refugee crisis. David Wood explores historical differences in the meanings given by geographers from the New World and Old World to the terms ‘conservation’ and ‘preservation’. Kam Wing Chan describes how definitions of city size in China differ from those in the West, giving Chinese megacities much larger populations than they would have if using Western definitions. David Phillips discusses the nature and implications of climate change and clarifies the oft-misunderstood distinction between climate and weather, Doug MacLeod also addresses the climate change theme, expressing his concerns about the health of the planetOur Geographical Worlds | Introduction and actions needed to address global warming. Conrad Heidenreich argues for the importance of taking a broad historical approach to geography that integrates the natural and human environments, while artist Robert Bateman laments the disappearance of human and natural heritage since the mid-20th century and the emergence of what he refers to as “Instant Pudding World”. John Warkentin contrasts his boyhood observations of the social geography of Winnipeg to how it is today, noting particularly the injustices and inequality experienced by Indigenous peoples in Winnipeg and elsewhere in Canada. Graeme Wynn reflects on what he calls the golden era for historical geography in Canada, building that reflection around lines from a poem that portrays his first field site in Canada. Eric Sheppard describes how his evolution as a geographer has been heavily influenced by the places where he has worked and visited. Keith Fraser speaks to the question of “What do geographers do?” with illustrations from his career. Chris Sharpe offers insights on how to be a successful teacher of geography while asking the question “Why are we doing geography and for whom are we doing it?”. Damaris Rose traces her career from her formative years as an MA student at the University of Toronto to her position at INRS in Montréal. There she took up the challenge of learning and publishing in a new language while developing a Montréal-based research program. Engin Isin explains how his interest in the city as a geographical-political world began with his dissertation and how that interest has evolved, all the while focusing on the governing of citizens and non-citizens. Joe Berridge and Lindsay Dale-Harris bring the professional planner’s perspective to Our Geographical Worlds. Joe Berridge gives a unique history of his career and planning contributions by describing oyster bars in places where he has studied, worked and holidayed. Lindsay Dale-Harris became a planner because of her interest in the different forces that shape cities and the opportunity Our G that planning provides to bring abot planning activist and author Jane . John Bousfield as key influences in It is worth nothing that Linds recipient of the Distinguished Alu Alumni Committee. PAC was « UTAGA but is now very active, in The inclusion of PAC’s inaugural honours the close relationship betv the department. On behalf of the department, thanks to Jane Macijauskas and Jo! dedication in making this collectio the lead on the project as editor wk the purpose of the book, collecti organizing the content, and offe wrote biographies for Al Davidsor Dick Ruggles, Bill Dean, Dick Bai teamwork has produced a truly m and reminiscences from the de alumni. Virginia Maclaren, Associate Prc (2007-2018), Department of GeosOur Geographical Worlds | Introduction that planning provides to bring about change for the better. She cites planning activist and author Jane Jacobs and the eminent planner John Bousfield as key influences in her career. It is worth nothing that Lindsay Dale-Harris is the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Planning Alumni Committee. PAC was originally a sub-committee of UTAGA but is now a very active, independent alumni organization. The inclusion of PAC’s inaugural award in Our Geographical Worlds honours the close relationship between geography and planning in the department. On behalf of the department, I would like to give my sincere thanks to Jane Macijauskas and John Warkentin for their incredible dedication in making this collection of articles possible. Jane took the lead on the project as editor while John helped Jane in defining the purpose of the book, collecting contributions from authors, ‘organizing the content, and offering editing advice. John also ‘wrote biographies for Al Davidson, Bill Wonders, Trudi Bunting, Dick Ruggles, Bill Dean, Dick Baine, and Marie Sanderson. Their teamwork has produced a truly memorable volume of reflections and reminiscences from the department's most distinguished alumni Virginia Maclaren, Associate Professor Emerita and Past Chair (2007-2018), Department of Geography & Planning. xiourselves toward each other, and ns and non-citizens. The city as a come of the question of governing | world traverses the geographical- nd the world and is not contained nce for the first time on our planet, ll the city their habitat, historians ts history to encompass thousands therefore also remains a promise y for addressing the challenges of y, and violence as simultaneously challenges. nat began with my dissertation on aves with various twists and turns hat originating experience of the ative perspective, I accept that we nd resignify ourselves. Still, since more intense than others ~ such as in a particular moment of world nating experiences giving rise to CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE 2017 DAMARIS ROSE Damaris Rose (she/her), born in Lordon, U.K., is an urban social geographer. She completed her BA at the University of Sussex (1975), her MA at the University of Toronto (1978), and her PhD at the University of Sussex (1984). After a succession of one-year contract appointments (West Virginia, Rutgers, and McGill), she landed a tenure-track position and obtained landed immigrant status in Canada on the same day in 1985 — marked by a party in a village straddling the Québec-New York State border! She worked at the Urbanisation Culture Société research and graduate teaching centre of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique in Montréal (part of the Université du Québec network) until her retirement in 2017, where she taught housing, urban sccial policy, and research methods. Her interests centred on housing and neighbourhood change, especially gentrification, the housing of non-traditional households, and the settlement challenges of newcomers. Feminist 147Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 perspectives traversed much of this work. She was involved in the Metropolis Project for research and policy in immigration and integration (1996-2013). In retirement, she continues research and service to the academic community, including committee work for granting agencies, while devoting more time to outdoor pursuits and her young feline family. REFLECTIONS ON A CAREER OF MINOR AND. REPEATED BORDER CROSSINGS I landed in Toronto from the UK. one rainy summer night in 1976, aged 21, with my newly minted international student visa and a pair of oversized suitcases, to begin a master’s degree in geography at the University of Toronto. This essay reflects a combined wish to situate some personal biographical reflections in the context of their times, and to contribute to the Department of Geography and Planning's institutional memory. It was an “Open Fellowship” for what was then the princely sum of $3,000 — from a fund named for a female benefactor whose history I regrettably know nothing of - that made it possible for me to enroll at U of T. This was paired with a teaching assistantship, decently remunerated, since the Graduate Assistants’ Association had just obtained its union certification. With this package, I was fortunate to begin my graduate career without financial stress, and toremain debt-free. As it turned out, this was also the last year before the provincial government would implement differential fees for international students —a matter of great concern to the Department, and especially to Zehra Alpar, our beloved student counsellor and ultimate sympathetic ear, since no fewer than eight of the 19 geography graduate students in my cohort were visa students. My first Canadian publication was an article commissioned by the U of T graduate student newspaper to interview visa students about the 148 impact of the new policy. A rema those times, was that six of the nev and five of those were urban geogr During my undergraduate work at Sussex University, I had develo policy issues and in the drivers « backed up by a decent exposure to: lacked a solid theoretical framing with the ascendancy of neo-Marx which offered ways to conceptu: both urban economies and key a geographies. This was an epistemological approaches that prevailed on the building. A group of us took a pat land question” taught by Profess Roweis in the Urban Planning Dep: institutionally as well as spatially, fi We even heard rumours that our College Street symbolized disloyal faculty and PhD students! Yet my perspectives, and thesis p studying urban historical geograpl who became my supervisor and whi was legendary. Taking the pheno: course with Professor Ted Relph, ‘geography, also shaped my thinking housing and home; a term paper foi course manual for Deakin Universi publication! A feature of my time at U of T seminars and reading groups led byhis work. She was involved in the 1 and policy in immigration and ement, she continues research and nity, including committee work for ng more time to outdoor pursuits AREER OF MINOR AND (DER CROSSINGS UK. one rainy summer night in inted international student visa and egin a master’s degree in geography nis essay reflects a combined wish phical reflections in the context of che Department of Geography and for what was then the princely med for a female benefactor whose ag of - that made it possible for me red with a teaching assistantship, Graduate Assistants’ Association fication. With this package, I was career without financial stress, and yut, this was also the last year before Id implement differential fees for of great concern to the Department , our beloved student counsellor ince no fewer than eight of the 19 my cohort were visa students. My n article commissioned by the U of > interview visa students about the Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 impact of the new policy. A remarkable feature of my cohort, for those times, was that six of the new masters’ students were women, and five of those were urban geographers. ‘During my undergraduate work in gecgraphy and urban studies at Sussex University, I had developed a strong interest in housing policy issues and in the drivers of social injustice within cities, backed up by a decent exposure to field studies, but my perspectives lacked a solid theoretical framing. My time at U of T coincided with the ascendancy of neo-Marxist perspectives in urban studies, which offered ways to conceptualize the role of the state in shaping both urban economies and key aspects of everyday urban social ‘geographies. This was an epistemological break from the neoclassical approaches that prevailed on the fifth floor of the Sidney Smith Duilding. A group of us took a path-breaking course on the “urban land question” taught by Professors Allen J. Scott and Shoukry Roweis in the Urban Planning Department, which was then distinct, institutionally as well as spatially, from the Geography Department. We even heard rumours that our weekly decampments down to College Street symbolized disloyalty in tke eyes of some geography faculty and PhD students! Yet my perspectives, and thesis proposal, were equally shaped by studying urban historical geography with Professor Jim Lemon ~ ‘who became my supervisor and whose impatience with “big theory” was legendary, Taking the phenomenology of urban landscapes course with Professor Ted Relph, a pioneer of humanistic urban ‘geography, also shaped my thinking about the relationships between housing and home; a term paper for Ted’s class later showed up in a course manual for Deakin University, Australia ~ my first academic publication! ‘A feature of my time at U of T was the flourishing of informal seminars and reading groups led by students, but joined from time to 149Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 time by faculty such as Gunter Gad, where we explored the tectonic butcreative tensionsbetween differentsubstantive and epistemological orientations circulating in urban studies. These were non-hierarchical and deeply collaborative exchanges. Suzanne Mackenzie, the pioneer of feminist geography in Canada whose carcer ended prematurely with her death in 1998, was a linchpin of these meetings, Within the department, she also initiated a fruitful dialogue between socialist- feminist and humanistic geography. Katherine Willson, who died in 2017 shortly after her retirement from a stellar, though discreet, career in the Ontario Public Service, grounded our critical theorizing on urban policy with her deep empirical understanding of housing and land markets. Both women were major influences on my ways of seeing the city as well as fast friends. U of T was where I became involved with the Union of Socialist Geographers network which enabled me to connect with like-minded grad students from other Canadian and international geography departments: Suzanne Mackenzie founded a Toronto chapter and brought members from her alma mater, Simon Fraser, to meetings at U of T. Despite such fulfilling experiences of graduate work in Canada, I made the difficult decision not to stay for doctoral studies. I'd come to U of T just after reforms to Canada’s immigration system delineated distinct classes of permanent resident admissions and tied the economic stream ever more closely to immediate job market vacancies. Alas, even a graduate degree in geography from the University of Toronto would no longer open the door to converting a student visa into a landed immigrant visa (a procedure that had helped many of my predecessor compatriot geographers get faculty positions in Canada). I returned to the U.K., and to Sussex, for my PhD, fearful that a Canadian PhD would not even help me land a job in Britain. ‘Though pining for my Canadian peer network, I found another in the interdisciplinary Political Economy of Housing Workshop 150 of the Conference of Socialist Ecc was grounded by the climate of aus in the late 1970s years of the floun in different cities around the coun opportunities to hone the critical that had germinated in my U of T of struggle to get gender issues tak Nevertheless, after experiencing a very small island (a term I use Levy), a feeling only partially mi internationalist oasis that was the election of Margaret ‘Thatcher's whose promises included routing the universities, clinched my dec tochold on the North American « PhD funding ran out. Seventeen job applications later, boxes of unfinished thesis work to Morgantown, West Virginia. Thou, West Virginia University was a sup instructor as green as the rolling A\ place to call home for a young sin with a funny accent. When my n ‘me to Rutgers University, on the ‘metropolitan area, I soon gained. whom friends and acquaintance | quality of life had improved by mo In both gigs, I taught urban g white middle-class suburban under neighbourhoods in most US. citie the massive fiscal crises of the 197 the ascendancy. No doubt overzeal.d, where we explored the tectonic entsubstantiveand epistemological udies. These were non-hierarchical s, Suzanne Mackenzie, the pioneer "whose carcer ended prematurely hpin of these meetings. Within the ruitful dialogue between socialist- hy. Katherine Willson, who died int from a stellar, though discreet, ce, grounded our critical theorizing npirical understanding of housing were major influences on my ways iends. U of T was where I became ialist Geographers network which -minded grad students from other cography departments: Suzanne hapter and brought members from meetings at U of T. races of graduate work in Canada, st to stay for doctoral studies. I'd s to Canada’s immigration system srmanent resident admissions and sre closely to immediate job market te degree in geography from the longer open the door to converting nigrant visa (a procedure that had compatriot geographers get faculty ‘to the U.K., and to Sussex, for my nD would not even help me land a jian peer network, I found another 1 Economy of Housing Workshop Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 of the Conference of Socialist Economists, whose theoretical work was grounded by the climate of austerity and cuts to social programs in the late 1970s years of the floundering Labour government. Held in different cities around the country, its meetings were invaluable opportunities to hone the critical feminis: perspectives on housing that had germinated in my U of T days, bat were also ongoing sites of struggle to get gender issues taken sericusly by the academic left. Nevertheless, after experiencing life in Toronto, Britain felt like ‘a very small island (a term I use with a nod to novelist Andrea Levy), a feeling only partially mitigated by my days spent in the internationalist oasis that was the Sussex University campus. The election of Margaret Thatcher's neoconservative government, whose promises included routing out leftist social scientists from the universities, clinched my decision to seek out any kind of tochold on the North American academic job market before my PhD funding ran out. Seventeen job applications later, I and my rain-sodden cardboard boxes of unfinished thesis work touched down in the small city of ‘Morgantown, West Virginia, Though the Geography Department at ‘West Virginia University was a supportive environment for an ABD instructor as green as the rolling Appalachian hills, the city was no place to call home for a young single woman, not to mention one with a funny accent. When my next temporary contract brought me to Rutgers University, on the outer fringes of the New York metropolitan area, I soon gained a reputation as the first person whom friends and acquaintance had ever met who claimed her quality of life had improved by moving to New Jersey! In both gigs, I taught urban geography (inter alia) to mostly white middle-class suburban undergrads at a time when urban core neighbourhoods in most USS. cities hit their nadir in the wake of the massive fiscal crises of the 1970s, and as Reaganomics was in the ascendancy. No doubt overzealously, I used Toronto examples 151Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 to invite them to imagine how, with metropolitan-scale governance and public investment in community services, central urban neighbourhoods could be eminently liveable for diverse income groups, family and household types; but also to have them consider an even less familiar phenomenon ~ the emergence of social exclusion in transit- and service-poor suburbs. All the while, I was maintaining, and growing, my Canadian academic network, thanks in no small way to support from the CAG's travel fund, so that I could attend its annual conferences. At the 1982 CAG, I was a co-founder of the Women and Geography Study Group ~ the only occasion on which I ever had the honour of meeting Professor Marie Sanderson, a strong supporter of this initiative. A few weeks later, fortuitous circumstances led to immigration authorities granting McGill University an exception to the Canadians-only policy for faculty hiring — and that work permit, albeit for another temporary gig, had my name on it. Itdid not take long to feel comfortable living in a central Montréal neighbourhood that had never identified with either of the “two solitudes,” but every weekend, I would venture out of this comfort zone. My Toronto slides gave way, in my urban geography lectures, to images of francophone Montréal neighbourhoods struggling in the deep recession of the early 1980s exacerbated by capital flight in the wake of the Québec sovereignty movement. Yet some also showed variants of gentrification that existing theories seemed to be missing. This would lead to a fruitful and career-establishing line of research, undergirded by an interest in how studying cities that were neither “global” nor typical of their national context could actually contribute to theory building. ‘The INRS-Urbanisation research centre of the Université du Québec’s Institut national de la recherche scientifique, where I would eventually land a tenure-track position, was located only a few short blocks away from McGill, but there was a language barrier 152 to surmount before I could begi francophone urban research milic up with specialized vocabulary gl newspapers as from research repo for newcomers at a public school tt not ask to see the landed immig possess. A new work visa providin a research associate and doing co: with the help of the local federal b Twas keenly aware that my wh networking connections, were m immigration experiences. This a the urban dimensions of newcom developed into a major research a Metropolis Project, a Canada-wid centre of excellence) that, over 16 settlement research expertise linki the community sector. The INRS was founded esser contracted research to assist in regi in the upshot of Québec’s Quiet R several urban geographers hired toh broadly funded research and gradu: studies focus. Building multidiscipl a major priority as part of an ongo supported Québec’s economic an for the rest of my academic career culture of working across discipli that were empirically based and me did not necessarily mean quantitat Over time, in symbiosis with the and as funding from the major gth metropolitan-scale governance munity services, central urban nly liveable for diverse income es; but also to have them consider non — the emergence of social oor suburbs. ing, and growing, my Canadian , small way to support from the | attend its annual conferences. At er of the Women and Geography 1 on which I ever had the honour inderson, a strong supporter of , fortuitous circumstances led to McGill University an exception to ulty hiring and that work permit, had my name on it. ortable living in a central Montréal dentified with either of the “two would venture out of this comfort y, in my urban geography lectures, réal neighbourhoods struggling in 1980s exacerbated by capital flight reignty movement. Yet some also n that existing theories seemed to fruitful and career-establishing line interest in how studying cities that al of their national context could Iding. arch centre of the Université du a recherche scientifique, where T track position, was located only a ill, but there was a language barrier Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 to surmount before I could begin making connections with the francophone urban research milieu. My little black notebook filled up with specialized vocabulary gleaned as much from community newspapers as from research reports, an¢ I took language courses for newcomers at a public school that, someone had told me, would not ask to see the landed immigrant papers that I still did not possess. A new work visa providing permission for appointment as a research associate and doing consulting work also materialized, with the help of the local federal MP. Iwas keenly aware that my white privilege, as well as my social networking connections, were making all the difference to my immigration experiences. This awareness sparked an interest in the urban dimensions of newcomer settlement, which eventually developed into a major research area for me in the context of the Metropolis Project, a Canada-wide network (including a Montréal centre of excellence) that, over 16 years, built up immigration and settlement research expertise linking academics, government, and the community sector. ‘The INRS was founded essentially to conduct government- contracted research to assist in regional planning and development in the upshot of Québec’s Quiet Revolucion. T became the first of several urban geographers hired to help make the transition to a more broadly funded research and graduate training centre with an urban studies focus. Building multidisciplinary expertise on Montréal was a major priority as part of an ongoing mandate to do research that supported Québec’s economic and social development. I stayed for the rest of my academic career (32 years)! I could relate to the culture of working across disciplines, collaboratively, on projects that were empirically based and methodologically rigorous ~ which did not necessarily mean quantitative. ‘Over time, in symbiosis with the graduate programs’ expansion, and as funding from the major granting councils took on more 153Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 importance relative to contract research, the centre engaged more and more with new theoretical and conceptual developments in urban studies. It was especially exciting to be involved in research integrating Anglo-American and francophone European traditions. This was not just a question of disciplines, such as sociology and geography, but also of theoretical antecedents or differences of context that could generate a different set of questions about the same research object, be it gentrification, housing careers, or socially and ethnically mixed neighbourhoods. The rewards in terms of outreach and feedback that have come with presenting and publishing in two languages, not always on the same subjects, have ‘been inestimable, despite anxieties that this has diluted the overall visibility of my ceuvre! ‘As an Anglophone immigrant to Québec, for whom French became the language of work but not of home life, I was keenly aware of the limits in my ability to decode Québécois society and culture. Yet in invited talks and lectures in the “ROC” and France, | often found myself in the role of Québécoise interpreter explaining how language politics, immigration, political-economic structures, gender issues, and social policies in Québec gave distinctive characteristics to Montréal’s social geography and urban policies compared with those of other Canadian or North American cities. When an invitation came to write a book on Montréal, in English (Montréal: The Quest for a Metropolis), for an international series of scholarly monographs on major cities, it was a great honour, but felt like a weighty responsibility, especially since it was during the 1990s decade of great political uncertainty and economic change in Québec and Montréal. Developing Montréal-focused urban research was a springboard for involvement in a series of research projects with colleagues in Toronto and Vancouver involving cross-city and interprovincial comparisons, which has proved to be among the most personally 154 satisfying features of my care compliment I ever received froma both grasp the importance of the fi or understand the “big picture” w on any particular theoretical ortho of hindsight, 'am convinced that t Uof T days.esearch, the centre engaged more and conceptual developments in xciting to be involved in research francophone European traditions. f disciplines, such as sociology retical antecedents or differences 1 different set of questions about sentrification, housing careers, ot neighbourhoods. The rewards in pat have come with presenting and always on the same subjects, have es that this has diluted the overall nt to Québec, for whom French ut not of home life, I was keenly to decode Québécois society and tures in the “ROC” and France, I Québécoise interpreter explaining ion, political-economic structures, cies in Québec gave distinctive ial geography and urban policies anadian or North American cities. te a book on Montréal, in English ois), for an international series of cities, it was a great honour, but especially since it was during the ncertainty and economic change in ‘urban research was a springboard search projects with colleagues in ing cross-city and interprovincial to be among the most personally Our Geographical Worlds | 2017 satisfying features of my career. In this context, the greatest compliment I ever received from a fellow academic was that I could both grasp the importance of the fine details of data and help define or understand the “big picture” without imposing a reading based on any particular theoretical orthodoxy. Notwithstanding the perils of hindsight, Im convinced that this skillset was forged during my Uo T days. 155In Our Geographical Worlds, recipients of the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni (UTAGA) Distinguished Alumni Award write on themes related to geography or planning that each consider to be important Directly or indirectly, these highly personal essays express what shaped the authors as educators, researchers, planners, creative artists, and public servants, We lear of their various educations, the influence of inspiring teachers the stimulus of new environments, and the excitement of discussing new ideas with classmates and colleagues. Fresh approaches in diverse fields are described, including modeling spatial patterns, geomorphological field work geographical education, and seeing landscapes through the works of creative artists. Today's urgent geographical problems are addressed, including climate change, movements of refugees, justice for Indigenous peoples, homogenizing landscapes, issues in studying the moder city, and the need for imaginative urban planning, Geography is understood to be life and place, and the joy of being geographers and planners shines in these essays. For award recipients who had passed away before this book project started, or who were 100 ill to contribute an essay, short professional biographies have been included describing their careers and contributions to the field of geography. Published by: University of Toronto Department of Geography; and University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni March 2022 ISBN 978-0-7727-8155-0 Jane Macijauskas, born in Toronto, completed her Honours B.A. specializing in Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto (1996), and her Master in Environmental Studies, at Wilfrid Laurier University (1998). Her professional career has spanned a variety of leadership roles in risk management, project management, for organizations ranging from the provincial government, not-for-profit, insurance, and financial industries. Since 1999 she has been an active member of the University of Toronto Association of Geography Alumni (UTAGA) executive, and served as President for three years. Jane received the University of Toronto Arbor Award (2007) and UTAGA Honorary President Award (2012) in recognition of her voluntary contributions to the Department of Geography and UTAGA.