Essay: The essay is around 2000 words (max 2100 – min 1900, bibliography and title page included) and must be double-spaced. ANY ASSIGNMENT THAT DOES NOT RESPECT THE WORD LIMIT WILL INCUR A 20% DEDUCTION. Use 12-size font. The essay MUST combine your direct observations with academic literature.
Objective: Throughout a critical analysis, you are expected to demonstrate an understanding of one of two different aspects of the geography of Toronto. You are also required to show an active engagement with the subject and be able to formulate an original perspective on it. The goal of the essay is to examine first-hand how life in the city is shaped and affected by the constant interaction between place and the people who inhabit it, and to analyze and discuss your observations in light of the existing literature. You will explore some of the themes discussed in the course using information from everyday experience. You can choose one of two different topics: gentrification or transportation.
Evaluation:The essay requires the student to carry out an analysis of the subject, and make and justify an evaluative, comparative or explicatory judgement. The essay will be evaluated based on clarity of organization, logic, syntax, and grammar of student writing.
Follow an essay format and make sure your paper includes an introduction (clearly indicating topic, thesis statement, and how you plan to structure your paper), a proper body, and a conclusion (reviewing and summarizing the arguments and evidence presented in the body)
When you quote or paraphrase other scholars, you MUST provide in-text references and a full list of work cited at the end
You are required to use at least 6 peer-reviewed articles outside class readings
How to proceed:
If you have chosen to write your essay on the topic of transportation, you will discuss transportation in the BIA selected in the assignment. You should begin with a discussion on the role that transportation plays in an urban environment, particularly within the Toronto context. You also need to assess the problems transportation presents for the city of Toronto and discuss the factors causing/contributing to these problems. The second step is to visit the area (indicate in the report the day and time of your visit). Depending on the BIA, you might need to visit the area multiple times (if so, please indicate all times and dates). Answer the following questions: a) is the area a trafficked one? b) What is the most used form of transportation? c) Is there a high circulation of cars in the area? d) What about buses? e) Are there subway stops, streetcar routes, bike lanes? f) Is there a high number of people walking the streets? Finally, with reference to course reading material and to the additional articles you have found during your library research, you will assess and discuss whether the area investigated is among those presenting a significant problem for the city in terms of transportation. You will also indicate possible solutions to make transportation in the BIA more efficient and cost-effective.
Grammar and Style:
Before submitting your work, please make sure that you have conducted a spell and grammar check in word, and strictly followed the page limits. In order to write a good assignment, it is not enough to follow the instruction and have thoughtful arguments, you also need to present the material in a clear and organized fashion.
While writing your assignments, keep in mind the following:
a) All sources must be cited appropriately following APA style;
b) Make sure your argument unfolds in a logical, coherent fashion, and that the discussion emphasize analysis over description, remains focused, and avoids irrelevancies and repetitions;
c) Quotations must be introduced, contextualized, and explained adequately;
d) Your goal should be to write an essay that is well structured and a pleasure to read; avoid one-sentence or one-page paragraphs;
e) Very important: make sure all sentences are complete; discussion uses formal language (no jargon or slang); no contractions or abbreviations; paper has been proofread and avoids typos, errors and punctuation problems; title page is included; pages are numbered.
Following are 6 sources to use in the essay.
BIA chosen for the assignment is Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area – Toronto
Hess, P. (2008). Fronts and backs. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 28(2), 196-212. doi:10.1177/0739456X08321799
Kennedy, C. A. (2002). A comparison of the sustainability of public and private transportation systems: Study of the greater Toronto area. Transportation, 29(4), 459-493.
Roorda, M. J., & Miller, E. J. (2006). Past presidents’ award for merit in transportation engineering: Assessing transportation policy using an activity-based microsimulation model of travel demand. Institute of Transportation Engineers.ITE Journal, 76(11), 16-21.
Stewart, R., & Musters, J. (1998). Toronto: A historical leader in transportation innovations. Institute of Transportation Engineers.ITE Journal, 68(4), 30.
Wachs, M. (2013). Turning cities inside out: Transportation and the resurgence of downtowns in North America. Transportation, 40(6), 1159-1172. doi:10.1007/s11116-013-9501-6
Zhong, T., Young, R. K., Lowry, M., & Rutherford, G. S. (2008). A model for public involvement in transportation improvement programming using participatory geographic information systems. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 32(2), 123-133. doi:10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2007.08.010
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