LAN3701H S
Instructors: Joshua Kirk
Meeting Section: LEC0101
Wednesdays, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

This research seminar investigates the subject of the urban commons, and explores alternative models of ownership such as co-ops and community land trusts, with a special emphasis on social justice. The course will explore historical and contemporary initiatives across North America to gain perspective on the complexities behind social and spatial patterns of inequity in Canadian cities. Students will engage in weekly readings, coupled with (counter)mapping exercises throughout the semester. The aim will be to uncover associative patterns between factors such as class, identity, race and wealth – and how they relate to ideas of agency, land, and access to property in our cities. An emphasis on seminar discussion will be an integral component of this course. 

The cartography in this seminar aims to make use of the latest issued Canadian Census of Population data in tandem with GIS software and will build on ongoing research being undertaken in the United States. The course will contribute to the critical understanding of Landscape Architecture by leveraging the field’s scope, tools and skillset to contribute to broader, public conversations. In addition to calls to action relevant to the times, students are encouraged to bring their own thoughts, concerns and perspectives related to issues in our cities.