Friday, October 27, 2023

Geography and the Political Science
Bluebox Seminar series present

Speakers:

Jean-Michel Montsion, Director of Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies, York University; Peter Hall, Urban Studies and Geography, SFU; and Stephan Nieweler, PhD candidate, Geography, SFU

Trade-Related Transportation Infrastructure in Canadian Municipalities: Challenges in Incorporating Local Perspectives

The upcoming talk at the Nexus Centre is part of the Political Science and Geography bluebox seminar series. What are the connections between the decisions made at the federal and provincial levels for major trade-related transportation infrastructure projects, and local concerns? How can we, as social scientists, best study such connections within Canadian political configurations that actively ignore or undermine local democratic processes and development aspirations? In this seminar we will discuss and illustrate two frameworks that have helped us understand the implications for municipalities of major infrastructure projects. The first framework focuses on mapping stakeholders and their collaborations within particular urban gateway coalitions, their membership, as well as who is missing from the table. The second framework focuses on the pat dependencies that limit and shape the potential for revitalization in the downtowns of small port and resource-oriented communities that have recently experienced renewed economic growth following decades of decline.

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Nexus Centre (SN-4022)