September 8, 2006 Source: :
http://www.ryerson.ca/news/news/General_Public/20060908_mp.html U R The Future This semester, ten fourth-year Urban and Regional Planning students are undertaking a very important project. During the upcoming weeks, these students will prepare an advisory report on Ryerson’s Master Plan for their Advanced Planning Studio II course, taught by Dr. Steven Webber. For their first meeting, the group met in the modular Master Plan Presentation Centre with Dr. Webber; David Amborski, Director of the School of Urban and Regional Planning; and their clients, Ian Hamilton, Director of Campus Planning and Facilities, and Manuel Ravinsky, Facility and Capital Planner. "These students have a perspective that other students do not have," said Dr. Webber, who chaired the meeting. "Ryerson’s Master Planning initiative gives the School of Urban and Regional Planning a chance to show what our students can do." The students were briefed on the project, which focuses on integrating Ryerson with its downtown neighbourhood. Objectives include: Improving linkages between University and City Identifying opportunities for expansion Building public-private partnerships Planning for future growth Enhancing the overall experience for Ryerson and its surrounding communities"I can hardly wait to see their output," said Hamilton. "I look forward to seeing their creative insights." "I’m very enthused about this project," said Amborski. "The students will gain substantive experience in project development and campus planning, while Ryerson will gain insight from insiders who truly understand the campus." One of the students, Charmaine Valbuena, has additional insight into the project. Since 2005, Valbuena has worked for PRISM Partners, the project management company responsible for helping Ryerson develop the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Master Plan. The RFP invites submissions from professional design and planning teams, and the successful team will work closely with the Ryerson community and our neighbours to create the Master Plan. "I’m very excited," said Valbuena. "It’s a privilege to be a part of Ryerson’s future. I just hope that whatever we come up with will be taken to heart and implemented." At the end of the semester, the group will present their final report to their clients, Dr. Webber, Amborski and senior administration.
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