Category Archives: urbanology
It might look peaceful enough, but this living room is the scene of a recent dramatic transition. My partner and I have just finished moving our home from Guelph to Waterloo, Ontario. Moving is supposedly one of the most stressful … Continue reading
It’s something many people take for granted, but it shapes who we are. Why We Live Where We Live is a new book for kids by Kira Vermond (Owlkids, 2014). I happen to live in the same city as Kira, … Continue reading
On Monday night Guelph City Council gave a developer permission to begin clearing a site at the corner of Gordon Street and Arkell Road for a new condominium. In fact the environmental review urged that the work proceed immediately before … Continue reading
In a biography by Glenda Dawn Goss, Sibelius: A Composer’s Life and the Awakening of Finland (University of Chicago Press, 2009), I came across a startling early idea about the sound of cities. Jean Sibelius has been my favourite composer … Continue reading
Guest post by Tracey Arial “I’m also involved in starting a Transition Group in my neighbourhood.” “What’s Transition?” This mini-conversation took place with a fellow Blogathon 2013 participant and Professional Writers Associaton of Canada (PWAC) member Van Waffle during MagNet, … Continue reading
How much value can you put on green space? One of the things I love about the city where I live is its parks. The photo above was taken along the Eramosa River within steps of a residential neighbourhood. I … Continue reading
Two artists from University of Rochester have designed a mobile phone app that encourages users to explore urban wilderness. Indeterminate Hikes (IH+) plots a random, indirect course the city. It is designed to increase awareness of of the urban environment. … Continue reading
Eighteen months ago, living in an apartment without direct access to personal green space, I felt woefully disconnected from nature. It hit me hard because I grew up in the country, surrounded by flora and fauna, rich soil under my … Continue reading
My weekend retreat brought a burst of creativity. It has been many months since I did so much pen-and-paper writing in the space of a few days. Since returning home, I have tried to recreate the sparking sense of connection … Continue reading