Brian N. Webb

Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Hons.), Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada, 2007.

Spatial Policy Coordination in Decentralised Nations: The Benefits and Barriers to the Implementation of National Planning in Canada.

Supervisors: Cecilia Wong and Iain Deas.

National planning systems, spatial planning, policy coordination, multi-level governance, policy development and evaluation.

New trends have emerged in the last few decades that have resulted in a profound shift in the economic and social characteristics of industrialised nations. Among these changes, the role of information and telecommunication technology in the shift from manufacturing to the generation of a more knowledge-based economy has resulted in seismic changes for labour and capital and the promotion of new social movements. Simultaneously there has been a growing level of social inequality emerging as well as a questioning of the role of government and the meaning of nationality as globalization works to merge cultures and economies. Within this context there has also been a re-emergence in the idea of the region within planning practice as these forces work to re-orientate planning from its more recent, locally generated regulatory role to a more comprehensive, flexible approach.

What role then is there for national governments within such a system? To what extent should the nation as a whole direct the spatial development of its regions and local communities? If a role does exist for national governments how is that role coordinated with the other levels of government to ensure consistency, avoid clashes of policy and achieve a better form of spatial development? The goal of the research is to answer these questions by determining the potential benefits of, and barriers to, a spatial policy coordination framework in decentralised nations through an examination of Canada.

Funding

Brian Robson Postgraduate Research Scholarship on Urban Policy.

Previous Employment

Research Assistant, Professor David Amborski, Ryerson University, School of Urban and Regional Planning, 2007-2008.

Assistant Heritage Planner, City of Toronto, 2006-2007.

Teaching Assistant, Ryerson University, School of Urban and Regional Planning, 2005-2007.

Research Analyst, Municipal Programs and Education Branch, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2004-2006.