Mark Seasons

Degrees

Ph.D. (Regional Planning & Resource Development), University of Waterloo, Canada, 1989

M.Env. Des. (Planning), University of Calgary, Canada, 1985

B.A. (Hons.) (Geography), Queen's University, Canada, 1975

Academic honours

• 2011 - Recipient, distinguished teaching award, University of Waterloo
• 2009 - Fellow, Canadian Institute of Planners (FCIP)
• 2006 - Outstanding faculty award, University of Waterloo
• 2002 - Recognition of service award, Canadian Institute of Planners
• 2001 - Member services award, Ontario Professional Planners Institute
• 1994 - Member Services Award, Ontario Professional Planners Institute

Research interests

• Planning for climate change
• Planning for no-or slow growth
• Urban and regional planning
• Strategic planning
• Plan evaluation
• Local economic development

Research grants/projects

• Communities left behind? A timely examination of school closure controversies for justice-informed decision-making on the fate of public schools in Ontario.
  • Funded by: SSHRC Insight Grant
  • Grant Period: 2018-2022 
• Planning for adaptation and resilience: Canadian local government experiences and needs.
  • Funded by: SSHRC Special Call: Canadian Environmental Issues.
  • Grant Period: 2009-2012
• The monitoring and evaluation of urban plans. Global Report on Human Settlements.
  • Funded by: UN-Habitat.
  • Grant period: 2008-2009
• Eco-Plan China: Eco-planning and environmental management in coastal communities of China.
  • Funded by: CIDA Tier 1 UPCD.
  • Grant Period: 2001-2006

Contact Mark Seasons for more information on research opportunities for students.

Graduate student supervision

Recent/key publications

[* = student co-authors]

Refereed textbook

• Seasons, Mark. (2021). Plan evaluation: From theory and practice. Vancouver: UBC Press ISBN 978-0-7748-6626-2

Peer reviewed articles (selected):

• Syhlonyk, A. & Seasons, M. (2021). The concept and measurement of community well-being: Lessons for planners. Planning Practice and Research. 36(2), 141-156

• Rappolt, R., Seasons, M. and Irwin, B. (2017). Evaluating school closures through a rural lens. Plan Canada. 57(3), 52-57

• *Guyadeen, D. & Seasons, M. (2016). Evaluation theory and practice: Comparing program evaluation and evaluation in planning. Journal of Planning Education and Research. 38(1), 98-110 [20%]
• *Guyadeen, D. & Seasons, M. [2015]. Plan evaluation: Challenges and directions for future research. Planning Practice and Research. 31(2), 215-228 [20%]
• Hanna, K., Seasons, M., Dale, A., Filion, P., & Ling, C. [2014]. Planning for climate change: The state of current practice in Canada. Plan Canada. 54(2), 28-36 [50%]
• *Lovlin, T. & Seasons, M. [2014].  A history of the core curriculum of planning education in Canada. Canadian Planning and Policy – Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 23(1), (Supplement), 93-100
• *Wegener, J., Seasons, M. & Raines, K. [2013].   Multi-sectoral perspectives on regional food policy, planning and access to food: A case study of Waterloo Region. Canadian Planning and Policy - Canadian Journal of Urban Research. Supplement.  22(1),   [15%]
• *McWilliam, W.J., Brown, R. Eagles, P., & Seasons, M. [2013]. Barriers to the effective planning and management of residential encroachment within urban woodland edges: a Southern Ontario, Canada case study. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. In press
• Seasons, M.L. [2013]. The Great Debate: Do We or Don’t We Intervene? Plenary notes. Plan Canada, 53(3), 12-15
• Seasons, M. [2013]. Challenges and Rewards: the transition from practice to academia. Plan Canada. 53(2), 28-33
• Seasons, M. [2013]. School closures. Ontario Planning Journal. 28(4), 17 Irwin, B. & Seasons, M. [2012]. School closure decision-making processes: problems and prospects. Canadian Journal of Urban Research. 21(2), 45-67 [50%]
• *McWilliam, W.J., Eagles, P., Seasons, M., & Brown, R. [2012]. Evaluation of planning and management approaches for limiting residential encroachment impacts within 

Editorial duties

• 2020+, Member, editorial board, Urban Planning
• 2013+, Member, editorial board, Canadian Journal of Urban Research
• 2005-2010, Member and chair, editorial board, Plan Canada
• 2007-2012, Member, editorial board, Journal of Community Development
• 2001+, Member, editorial board, Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation

Courses taught

• PLAN 401/601: Planners and Planning Tribunals
• PLAN 474/674: Community Planning and Climate Change
• PLAN 701: Land Use Planning Fundamentals
• PLAN 706: Contemporary Urban Issues
• PLAN 710: Research Design