Growth management

Canadian cities are typically characterized as low-density, dispersed and decentralized. Most urbanization over the last 70 or so years has occurred along the urban edge, rapidly consuming and urbanizing the natural world (forests, grasslands, wetlands). The ramifications of this type of growth are well known, including its disastrous environmental consequences, impacts on municipal budgets, and negative effects on our own health and well-being. Yet despite all this, Canadian cities continue to sprawl. My research seeks to better understand how these development patterns can be disrupted in favour of intensification, a more sustainable approach to development that refocuses growth within the existing urbanized area. 

Downtown revitalization

While downtowns were once a community’s economic, cultural and social hub, the patterns of decentralization have invoked patterns of decline and disinvestment. This experience is common in cities throughout North America. My research seeks to understand how functions can be restored within the downtown, to become more vibrant, mixed-use and livable. 

Mid-sized cities

Mid-sized cities are more than just smaller versions of large cities. The dynamics and circumstances in mid-sized cities differ, including greater dependency on the automobile, predominantly suburban development patterns, and slower population and economic growth. My research helps to expand out understanding of mid-sized cities and how they differ from their larger counterparts. 

A list of my publications can be found below. Please reach out if you require access to any of these articles. 

Articles in refereed journals

Graham, R. & Filion, P. (2024). Intensification in the city centre: Barriers to implementation in Regina, SK. The Canadian Geographer, 68(1), 57-71.

Graham, R. (2023). Do young adults want to live downtown? Understanding attitudes in Prince George, B.C. Planning Practice & Research, 39(3), 417-440.

Graham, R. & Filion, P. (2023). Rectifying the challenges with downtown intensification in a mid-sized city. Plan Canada 63(3), 38-40.

Graham, R. (2023). Calgary and the 'creative class': The interface between public policy and gentrification. City, Culture and Society, 32, 100489.

Graham, R., Ehlenz, M. M., & Han, A. T. (2021). Professional sports venues as catalysts for revitalization? Perspectives from industry experts. Journal of Urban Affairs, 45(10), 1841-1859.

Graham, R., & Dutton, J. (2021). Obsolescence as an Opportunity: The role of adaptive reuse in Calgary's office market. The School of Public Policy Publications, SPP Briefing Paper, 14.

Han, A. T., Graham, R., & Tsenkova, S. (2020). The inside and outside game of growth management: Tracking sprawl of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 43(3), 666-681.

Graham, R., Han, A. T., & Tsenkova, S. (2019). An analysis of the influence of Smart Growth on growth patterns in mid-sized Canadian metropolitan areas. Planning Practice & Research, 34(5), 498-521.

Graham, R. (2018). Barriers to intensification in Regina’s warehouse district. Plan Canada 58(1), 25-27.

Non-refereed publications

Poole, J. & Graham, R., (2024). Our Stories at UNBC. Planning West, 20-21.

Graham, R., Clapp, T. L., Healy, T., Carr, M., & Monroe, S. (2023). Experiential learning at UNBC’s School of Planning and Sustainability. Planning West, 20-21.

Graham, R., Clapp, T. L., & Patten, S. (2022). News from the North: The School of Planning and Sustainability at UNBC. Planning West, 16-17.

Graham, R., Kheterpal, N., & Neuhaus, F. (2021) After the pandemic: Stakeholder perspectives regarding the impacts on Covid-19 on Downtown Calgary. PLAN North West (8), 29 – 34.  

Graham, R., & Coppola, F. (2020) Post-secondary on the Prairies: Planning implications of the emergence of the city centre satellite campus. PLAN North West (6), 11 – 16.  

Graham, R. (2018). Saskatchewan’s urban boom: Growth on the periphery. PLAN North West (4), 27 – 30.

Graham, R. (2018). Layers of influence: Intersect of the Smart Growth agenda and the suburban growth coalition. Ultra Journal (2), 64 - 65.