On September 30th, 2023, the School of Planning hosted its Welcome to Planning ceremony. This event provided an opportunity for our incoming students and their supporters to connect with the School of Planning community and engage with issues relevant to the Planning community that will shape their educational journey going forward.
The day began with a light breakfast and networking session, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers, professors, and staff.
Dr. Mark Seasons, Director of the School greeted guests in the Modern Languages Theatre and opened the event by acknowledging the importance of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
Dr. Katherine Perrott provided an excellent “Big Picture” of Planning, and the many issues planners address such as climate change, housing affordability, and management of protected lands.
Dr. Brian Doucet hosted a “talk show” panel discussion which included topics such as Planning as a career choice, upcoming challenges facing the Canadian Planning community, the potential role of emerging AI technologies in Planning, and the role planning can play in Reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Our panelists provided a range of perspectives and insights!
The School of Planning would like to thank our guest speakers, student volunteers and our staff for all contributing their time and effort to making this event a success. We look forward to continuing this tradition in the coming years!
Meet Our Guest Panelists
Robert Walter-Joseph
Robert Walter-Joseph is a Senior Planner with Gladki Planning Associates specializing in land use planning and development approvals. Robert works for public and private-sector clients in planning policy and development approvals. His work includes market-housing, city shelters, affordable and non-profit housing and mixed-use projects across the GTHA all reflecting his commitment to building inclusive communities.
Leia Minaker
Dr. Leia Minaker is an Associate Professor in the School of Planning and the Director of the Future Cities Initiative. She holds a PhD in public health and is interested in how planners can contribute to the development of cities that support health and equity. She has expertise in urban food systems, urban design for chronic disease prevention, and has more recently begun focusing on urban design, high-rise neighbourhoods, and youth health.
Rukma Ramdenee
Rukma Ramdenee is a Planner and an Urban Designer living and working in Kitchener. She is currently enrolled in the MA Planning program at the University of Waterloo, focusing her research on the intersection of transformative placemaking and immigrant settlement in urban settings of mid-sized Canadian cities. She previously holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from Malaysia and two postgraduate certificates in Green Architecture and Environmental Engineering. Rukma spent six years as a Site Planner at ABA Architects in Waterloo, pioneering the first Tall Building in downtown Kitchener and winning the Urban Design Excellence Award in 2017 by the City of Kitchener. In 2022, Rukma joined Dillon Consulting Limited as a Land Development Planner working on several projects across Ontario and Canada. She also serves as a jury member on the Kitchener Great Places Awards committee.
Alexander Marques
Alexander Marques is a land use planner that has worked extensively with Michipicoten First Nation, authoring their first Land Use Plan and leading a wide range of construction and policy projects over the previous 3.5 years. Currently leading the Land Use Planning unit at the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association (NALMA), Alex is looking forward to being a part of training the next generation of Land Managers in Land Use Planning, advocating for first nations development and land use planning activities, and supporting first nations in undertaking their own land use planning processes across Canada.