From October 6-9, 2019, a group of approximately 45 undergraduate students from Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning in Toronto, Canada visited Philadelphia. One of their instructors, René Biberstein, explained that the group was here to learn about planning issues in the city. During their four days in Philadelphia, the students and their instructors participated in walking tours, a bus tour, and panel discussions to learn more about the city’s planning history, and how this history affects local planning issues, opportunities, and decision-making.
APAPASE helped connect the group with a variety of planning-related organizations, including the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA), SEPTA, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Lindy Institute, Drexel University, USA250, and McCormick Taylor, a full-service transportation and energy consulting firm with a Planning and Communications practice.
While at McCormick Taylor, the students met with company ownership and staff to discuss the differences in planning culture between the United States and Canada and what it is like to work as a professional planner. Presenters also provided information on local projects, such as SEPTA’s extension of the Norristown High Speed Line, King of Prussia Rail.
Photo Credit: Adam Dall, McCormick Taylor
Students from Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning listen to a panel discussion about the Function and Role of Consultants in the Planning Process on Monday, October 7, 2019, at McCormick Taylor’s headquarters in Philadelphia.
