Topophilia: The Human Geography and Planning Student Journal
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30 research outputs found
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Fostering Social Equity in Planning and Urban Design with Children
No full textThis research paper explores the idea of fostering social equity in planning and urban design with a focus on children. It argues that the built environment significantly influences a child\u27s development, health, and well-being. The paper emphasizes the importance of incorporating children\u27s rights and child-friendly design into urban planning to address the issue of children being overlooked and lacking the opportunity to understand the effects of urban development on the growth of children. It highlights the benefits of developing child-friendly cities, enhancing urban playability and spaces, and encouraging civic participation among children. Moreover, it discusses the challenges and complexities of creating inclusive and sustainable cities that meet everyone\u27s needs while prioritizing advantageous aspects of child-friendly cities in urban design. By focusing on children, planners can create environments that nurture the well-being of all community members, leading to healthier, happier, and more equitable communities
The Anthropogenic Effects on Mountain Watersheds: Lessons From the Global South
No full textThis paper investigates the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on mountain watersheds, using the Hindu Kush Himalayan region as a case study. It examines how changes in the cryosphere, driven by global warming, lead to significant consequences for water quality, agriculture, and the livelihoods of lowland communities that depend on these watersheds as a freshwater source. The study examines adaptation strategies in the Global South and compares it with those in the Global North, highlighting innovative, low-impact approaches from the South that could inspire more sustainable practices in the North by bridging local and global knowledge. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive and context-sensitive management strategies to mitigate further degradation of mountain watersheds and preserve them for future generations
The Weil of the Planner: Determining the Role of the Planner with Simone Weil, Paulo Freire, and Communicative Planning
No full textThis essay explores the evolving role of urban planners in the face of advancing technology and automation, emphasizing the need for planners to focus on aspects of city-building that technology cannot replicate, such as community engagement. Current practices often reduce engagement to mere information collection, which can be automated, thereby diminishing community agency. To redefine the planner\u27s role, the essay draws on the political philosophy of Simone Weil, Paulo Freire’s community development theory and critical pedagogy, and Communicative Planning Theory (CPT). Weil’s emphasis on the obligations of citizens and the needs of the human soul, Freire’s advocacy for critical pedagogy to empower communities, and CPT’s focus on discourse and consensus-building collectively suggest that planners should function as ensurers, educators, and facilitators. The essay argues for a shift from traditional planning roles towards a collaborative approach where planners ensure community needs are met, educate stakeholders through critical dialogue, and facilitate meaningful engagement processes. This transformation aims to foster a sense of agency in communities, positioning them as active contributors to city development rather than passive participants
The Intrinsic Concatenation of Economic Growth and Life Expectancy: How Periods of GDP Expansion Generate Global and National Increases in Average Life Span
No full textThis paper delves into the intrinsic connection between economic growth and life expectancy, illustrating how periods of GDP expansion contribute significantly to global and national increases in average life spans. Over the past two centuries, global life expectancy has experienced a remarkable surge, rising from an average of around 30 years to over 70 years in contemporary times, a trend closely aligned with historical phases of economic growth.
Beginning with the industrial revolutions of the mid-19th century and extending to the Digital Revolution of the 20th century, economic prosperity has played a pivotal role in driving improvements in health outcomes. Investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs have been facilitated by sustained GDP growth, resulting in enhanced life expectancy and well-being for populations worldwide.
Through empirical data and historical analysis, this study underscores the critical nexus between economic policies, technological advancements, and public health initiatives in shaping population longevity. The findings highlight the importance of continued economic development and strategic investments in addressing global health challenges and improving life expectancy across diverse socio-economic contexts
From Railyards to Hockey Games: The History of Edmonton’s Ice District
No full textThe impeccable revival of the land in which the current Ice District stands follows a narrative of overcoming challenges in the pursuit of long-term vibrancy and influential transformation. Examining the land-use history of the past century shows the undeniable impact of railways and suburbanization on Edmonton\u27s downtown to the contemporary initiation of redevelopment plans set by the city and vital actors under the Katz Group. Through detailing the collaboration of the public and private sectors, necessary zoning changes, and key financial negotiations, the added complexity behind these large-scale projects is evident. This paper also acknowledges the challenges that arise from issuing dramatic transformations, such as the social issues of gentrification, displacement, and in the economic realm of funding. The concluding statements reflect on this urban development\u27s success in influencing future development strategies while remembering there are necessary efforts we must engage in to consider a balance between addressing social issues alongside inspiring growth in Edmonton\u27s downtown spheres
Perceptions and Strategies: An Analysis of Gendered Safety Perceptions and Mitigation Strategies for Public Transportation
No full textThis research paper investigates how different safety measures influence safety perceptions across genders and shape overall security experiences within public transportation. The study utilizes primary data analysis from a survey focusing on perceptions of safety among users of the Edmonton Transit System, highlighting significant differences between gender and feelings of unsafety as well as preferences for increased safety strategies. The findings suggest that there is a disparity in safety perceptions between genders, with female respondents feeling more unsafe compared to male respondents. Additionally, a content analysis of multiple safety-related documents was conducted to deduce safety perceptions and mitigation strategies. The paper emphasizes the importance of considering gender-specific needs in the design of public transport systems to create a more inclusive and secure environment for all passengers. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of the intricate relationship between transit safety measures and gender-specific safety perceptions, providing insights for the development of more effective safety strategies in public transportation systems
The Israel-Palestine Border Conflict: An analysis the West Bank separation wall
No full textIn my essay, I analyze how boundaries can perpetuate social issues. I specifically dissect the physical boundary created between Israel and Palestine with the use of a separation wall along the West Bank. This was a refection paper for a 300 level Human Geography class, and I relate my essay back to the topics taught throughout the course. Specifically, the topic of social geography and social boundaries. Expanding more within my writing, I discuss how Israel has created a social boundary against Palestine by using a physical one. This also essay covers some of the expansive complexities of this specific issue, as it is disgusting a conflict that has expanded for over six decades. While mentioning the controversies of the Israel and Palestine conflict, my essay mostly discusses the social impacts of the West Bank separation wall. 
The Past and Present of Disaster Risk Reduction in Indonesia: An Analysis of the 2022 Earthquake in West Java
No full text
This paper presents a detailed analysis of the 2022 earthquake in West Java, Indonesia, shedding light on the disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies before and after the event. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6, struck the West Java Province on November 21, 2022, causing significant devastation and loss of life. Drawing from various sources including media reports, official statements, and scholarly articles, this study examines the immediate impact of the earthquake, consequential hazards such as landslides and flash floods, and the overall disaster management and preparedness framework in West Java.
The research highlights the challenges faced by the government and communities in responding to the disaster, including issues related to early warning systems, evacuation procedures, and shelter provision. It also discusses the role of adaptive resilience and coping responses in mitigating the effects of the earthquake, as well as the importance of ongoing research and innovation in DRR efforts.
Through a comparative analysis of past disasters and recovery efforts in Indonesia, the paper underscores the progress made in disaster management over the years while also identifying areas that require further attention and improvement. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on disaster resilience and offer insights for enhancing future DRR strategies in Indonesia and similar high-risk regions
Environmental Aspects of Climate Change: Urban Flooding in the Canadian Prairies
No full textUrban flooding induced by climate change presents significant challenges to cities, particularly in regions like the Canadian Prairies. This essay explores the implications of climate change on urban flooding in Edmonton, Alberta, examining historical climate data, municipal ordinances, and biophysical factors. It addresses the need for sustainable urban design to mitigate flood risks, considering the impact of impervious surfaces, urban infrastructure, and natural landscapes on stormwater management. Furthermore, it discusses the economic, social, and health impacts of urban flooding, emphasizing the necessity of resilience strategies in adaptation and mitigation efforts. By integrating anthropogenic interventions with natural ecosystem functions, cities can enhance their resilience to climate change-induced flooding events. This analysis underscores the complexity of urban flooding dynamics and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard urban systems and communities in the face of climate change
Multi-scalar Influences on Sustainable Solid Waste Management : Assessing the City of Edmonton’s Approach
No full textAt its core, waste management is a sustainable development struggle, which, if treated improperly, poses severe consequences to human and environmental health. This paper will unpack the socio-economic, cultural, and ecological implications of solid waste management, and explore the potential solutions to alleviating the burdens of improper disposal and treatment of waste on different scales. In order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)– particularly the targets for Responsible Production and Consumption (SDG 12) and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) – we must not view waste management in silos. Rather, we must encourage responsible behaviors and regulation from the local, regional, national, and global scales, with particular emphasis on the obligations of affluent systems and the capacity building of under-developed systems to effectively mitigate the consequences of improper treatment and disposal of solid waste.
`The exploration of this issue is inspired by the rollout of the City of Edmonton’s new waste management scheme involving the collection of separated waste carts, with a pilot project in 2019 and full launch of the Cart Rollout in spring 2021 (City of Edmonton, 2021b). It is a point of interest to now reflect on the impacts of this updated system, and how it has (hopefully) reduced landfill accumulation and improved the overall outlook for establishing successful local waste management. This paper will therefore address the following questions: How does the waste management approach in Edmonton interact with and encourage positive multi-scalar actions (i.e. a ‘trickle- up’ effect)? How does each succeeding scale (regional, national, and global) influence city-level waste management (i.e. a ‘trickle-down’ effect)? Finally, what insights does this provide about sustainable solid waste management as a whole