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Know someone interested in tackling contemporary urban issues as a career? You maybe? Ryerson University's School of Urban and Regional Planning is holding an open house on November 6th from 5:30 to 7pm for those who want to know more about their Master of Planning program. UrbanToronto talked with Pamela Robinson, Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor at the school, to find out what prospective students can expect.
Created in 2009, Ryerson's two-year Master of Planning program is fully accredited by both the Canadian Institute of Planners, and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Students are taught a wide swath of skills and competencies related to the planning field, including municipal finance, planning law, sustainability, and urban design, in the heart of Downtown Toronto. Robinson says that the school's role is in instilling a variety of “literacies” into their students, with the goal of not only allowing graduates to produce evidence-based solutions, but evidence-based and imaginative solutions.
“We think urban planning requires being very comfortable dealing with very complex issues, not just technical and legal, but sociological and ecological as well. We prepare students, let them grow, and ground them in a very sensible solutions. It's also giving them the literacy to communicate effectively, both visually and with the written word,” Robinson says.
Beyond the classes, students are required to take a summer internship between the first and second year. The school seeks out work from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, and helps match their students to these positions so that they can gain some valuable work experience. Last year, students were placed in internships in workplaces such as IBI Group, the Toronto Financial District BIA, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Students are not limited to the placements offered, and may seek out their own internship.
The highlight of the second year is two studio projects. Students are split into groups to tackle issues that a client presents to them. Last year's clients included Metrolinx, Toronto Public Spaces Initiative, and the Greater Civic Action Alliance.
Capping the program is a major research paper. The school helps the students pick a topic and a supervisor, and are then expected to produce an approximately 50-page paper. Recent topics have included examining why it is that people see buses as a less desirable mode of transport, what happens when “complete” streets become victims of their own success, and opportunities for Minecraft to be used as a civic engagement tool.
While the program has been very successful despite being relatively new, the school is always looking at ways to improve its students' experience. Robinson says that one thing that the school is trying to do better this year, is in helping students find work post-graduation. “The job market is less predictable in this field, so we have to work one-on-one with students.”
She says that unlike other fields, planners are not hired in giant hiring waves, so building relationships is very important. Amongst other initiatives, the school has brought in other experts from Ryerson to help teach students how to use websites like LinkedIn effectively as a recruitment tool.
At the open house, Robinson has plans to have alumni on hand to talk to prospective students about their experiences, and to present examples of the studio work that students are currently doing.
Ultimately, Robinson is hoping to impress on people that urban planning can teach a lot of unique skills that can open doors to a wide variety of careers. “We're trying to ask thoughtful questions, about how students can use their education to get where they want to be. The great thing about planning is that it's a big tent.”
The Master of Planning in Urban Development Open House will be held November 6th from 5:30-7pm, at the School of Urban and Regional Planning (105 Bond Street, 3rd floor). For more information, contact Julia Macan at urbandev@ryerson.ca, or call 416-979-5000 ext. 2099.
