How to write a field report for geography

GEO793 Winter 2020 Dr Murnaghan

The Geography of Toronto

Field Report Assignment:

Equity in the City of Toronto: Are the needs of Toronto

neighbourhoods being met? This field report asks you to learn about one of Toronto through background research (online and library research), and field research (observation in the place). You will answer 20 questions about your chosen City of Toronto Neighbourhood https://www.toronto.ca/city- government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/. This research will be used as the primary source material for your analytical essay. You must use details and examples from your field report findings in your essay so make sure to do a thorough job on this field report. Use full sentences where applicable. For questions that say to list, you may just make a list. Include the images, well sized, below the questions. Make sure you caption them using the example on question 11. FOR YOUR ESSAY: Are the neighbourhood’s needs being met? You can take one of two approaches to this question:

1. A cultural approach where you examine the needs of the people in neighbourhood through the lens of culture. You can think of culture broadly as a way of life, thus people live many cultures (ethnic, religious, sports, arts, age-specific). Your research should focus on a certain set of needs depending on the ethnic, language, religious, subculture, or age characteristics of the population. Next, you determine what the resources (social services, venues, public spaces, any others) for these groups are.

2. A mobility approach where you examine what the mobility needs of the population in your neighbourhood are. How does (a subset of) the population have unique or specific needs, and whether they are met by the existing infrastructure (sidewalks, public transit, bikeways, crossings, roads). You will be asked to make some recommendations.

In your essay you will integrate the existing academic literature on the topic with your in the field findings, to make an argument about whether the neighbourhood’s needs are being met that outlines both the characteristics of the neighbourhood population and the resources within. The mobility approach requires another set of data collection that takes another 2 hours of observation and requires the use of the mobile app Counterpoint (https://counterpointapp.org/) Instructions for the essay will be provided next week.

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
https://counterpointapp.org/
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Some Resources To Get You Started If you are not too familiar with Toronto, do some background research to find an area that you would like to study

1. City of Toronto Archives (Dupont Station, public can visit) • https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-

service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/ • Online exhibits about a variety of topics

• https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer- service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web- exhibits/

2. Toronto Public Library (Library resources, blogs, online resources) • Each public library has a local history section with important resources that are

not available online. • http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ • Toronto and its Neighbourhoods (links to websites and library keywords)

https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/history-genealogy/lh-toronto-neighbourhoods.jsp 3. Toronto Reference Library (Yonge-Bloor Station)

• Excellent local history section for all of the city. • https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/specialized-collections/

4. Historic Plaques of Toronto (Searchable Map) • http://torontoplaques.com/

5. Toronto Heritage Register (Old Buildings, Searchable Map) • http://cot-

planning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PanelsLegend/index.html?appid=a90bf1e72b694db5a4 892dc6b170688d

6. Architectural Index for Ontario (Old Buildings, Searchable Database) • http://archindont.torontopubliclibrary.ca/Arch/main.do

7. Toronto Ward Museum • http://www.wardmuseum.ca/

8. Older Newspapers via Ryerson Libraries • 1844-2014 Globe and Mail

http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnpglobeand mail

• 1894-2013 Toronto Star http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnptorontostar ?accountid=13631

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web-exhibits/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web-exhibits/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web-exhibits/
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/history-genealogy/lh-toronto-neighbourhoods.jsp
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/specialized-collections/
http://torontoplaques.com/
http://torontoplaques.com/
http://cot-planning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PanelsLegend/index.html?appid=a90bf1e72b694db5a4892dc6b170688d
http://cot-planning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PanelsLegend/index.html?appid=a90bf1e72b694db5a4892dc6b170688d
http://cot-planning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PanelsLegend/index.html?appid=a90bf1e72b694db5a4892dc6b170688d
http://archindont.torontopubliclibrary.ca/Arch/main.do
http://archindont.torontopubliclibrary.ca/Arch/main.do
http://www.wardmuseum.ca/
http://www.wardmuseum.ca/
http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnpglobeandmail
http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnpglobeandmail
http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnpglobeandmail
http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnptorontostar?accountid=13631
http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnptorontostar?accountid=13631
http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnptorontostar?accountid=13631
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Field Report Assignment:

Equity in the City of Toronto: Are the needs of Toronto

neighbourhoods being met? Name: Student Number: Course Code and Section: Date: Section 1: Pick a neighbourhood, and learn about it 1. Which of the City of Toronto’s 140 neighbourhoods have you selected? (Include the name and number). 2. Why did you choose this neighbourhood in 50-75 words? 3. Write out the APA bibliographic citations for 3 newspaper articles on your neighbourhood. You can use the Toronto Star (1894-2015, 1971-2016, 1985-2019), Toronto Sun, or Globe and Mail (1936-2015, 1985-2019). If you find any other international sources, you can use those, too. Make sure to broaden your search as wide as needed (lesser-known neighbourhoods may require searches like Scarborough, or Etobicoke, or an intersection). If you are already leaning to the cultural or mobility approach, try to include some key words on topics of interest. 4. Summarize the findings of these secondary source articles in 50-75 words. Example: McKnight, Z. (2013, Sept 16). Community mural in Rexdale reflects community’s history

and hopes, The Toronto Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/ McKnight’s (2013) article discusses the collaboration between artist Emilia Jajus and 20 youths through Toronto’s Arts for Children and Youth program. This resulted in a mural painted on an underpass at Kipling Ave., and Belfield Rd. in Rexdale, spurred on by Councillor Doug Ford. It integrates images from First Nations peoples, Rex Hislop (developer), the GO train, and the Woodbine Race Track.

http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/hnptorontostar?accountid=13631
https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/publication/2026337
https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/publication/44892
https://global-factiva-com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/ha/default.aspx#./!?&_suid=1547229151525034345117412586035
https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/publication/1396354
http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/ps/i.do?p=CPI&u=rpu_main&id=GALE|0HTD&v=2.1&it=aboutJournal
https://www.thestar.com/
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5. Write out the bibliographic citations for 3 academic journal (peer-reviewed) articles or academic book chapters on your neighbourhood, part of Toronto, or topic (social or cultural needs or mobility). Use RULA or Google Scholar . The example here if for an article. See www.owl.purdue.edu for other styles. If you are already leaning to the cultural or mobility approach, try to include some key words on topics of interest. 6. Summarize the findings of these academic or scholarly sources in in 50-75 words. Example: Foth, N., Manaugh, K., & El-Geneidy, A. M. (2013). Towards equitable transit:

examining transit accessibility and social need in Toronto, Canada, 1996–2006. Journal of Transport Geography, 29, 1-10.

Foth, Manaugh, & El-Geneidy (2013) argue that people living in the Toronto Census Metropolitan area experience equitable access to public transit. Using a three-pronged measure of access (spatially, temporally, and by job type), their statistical analysis highlights how commuting time can be used to explore transportation planning, and how the spatial mismatch hypothesis may not apply in Canadian case studies. 7. Write out the bibliographic citations for 3 popular media sources on your topic. These can be websites, non-academic (“coffee table”) books, songs, films, television shows, webisodes, etc. example here is for websites. See www.owl.purdue.edu for other styles. 8. Summarize the findings of these popular media sources in 50-75 words. Example: Blackett, M. (2019). The Beautiful Mess of Toronto Laneways. Toronto: Spacing Media. Blackett (2019) explores how Toronto’s laneways are excellent examples of the city as a whole. Using extensive photography of laneway garage and shed doors, the various architectural styles of the Toronto’s multicultural identity are visible. Blackett also includes discussion of his own experience growing up in Willowdale, an area of Toronto without laneways, and how the liminal spaces between properties hold much meaning for urban explorers. 9. After reviewing your web, library, and media research, draw a map of your cultural landscape or ethnic economy (or at least a part of it that you can visit). Draw the main streets that act as the boundary. Locate 4 major landmarks in the area on the map, write a short description (20-50 words) of these landmarks. You can use Google Maps

https://library.ryerson.ca/articles/
https://scholar.google.ca/
http://www.owl.purdue.edu/
http://www.owl.purdue.edu/
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and other sources on page 2 for research for this element, but draw the map by hand. Take a photograph or scan of your map, and paste it here. Section 2: Make a statistical profile of your neighbourhood 10. Fill out the following table using findings from the City of Toronto Neighbourhood Profiles available here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research- maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/ In the cases of the previous years’ censuses and the 2011 National Household Survey, you need to open more than one of the profiles.

Selected Demographic Characteristics of _____________ Neighbourhood, City of Toronto, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016

2001 2006 2011 2016

Population of City of Toronto (#) 2,481,510 2,503,270 2,615,070 2,731,571

Population of Your Neighbourhood (#)

Population Density (people/km2)

% Children (>14)

% Seniors (<65)

% Owners

% Renters

Household size

Immigrants (%)

% Mother Tongue not English or French

Most populous non-official home language (Name)

Most populous non-official home language (#)

Top ethnic origin (Name)

Top ethnic origin (#)

Median household income ($)

% Low income (LICO-AT Low income after tax)

% Bachelor’s degree or higher

Unemployment rate (%)

Top Period of Housing construction

Top Commuting Time (Name)

Top Commuting Time (%)

Top Commuting Method (Name)

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
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Top Commuting Method (%) Source: Social Policy Analysis and Research Unit, City of Toronto, 2005, 2008, 2014, 2018. Neighbourhood Profiles, using data from Statistics Canada, 2005, 2008, 2014, and 2018, Census of Populations 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016. Toronto: City of Toronto. Available: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods- communities/neighbourhood-profiles/

Section 3: Field Research 11. Go out into your neighbourhood. Document it with photographs. Include 3 iconic images here. Again, if you are leaning towards the cultural approach take some photos that are important places to your group, if you are leaning towards the mobility approach, you may seek to locate some problem areas. You have to take these photographs yourself, make sure to label them with a caption. Example caption: Source: Yonge Street Between Classes, Gould and Yonge St., Toronto, January 10, 2019. Photograph taken by Author (or use your own name here). 12. What are the artifacts or architecture from groups who had lived in the place in the past? Take note of places of worship, old signs, old buildings, historic plaques, renovated or refurbished sites. Give three examples and what group you associate with it. 13. What are some indicators of the economic wellbeing of the area? (Be creative: how would you describe the area to someone else? Is it wealthy? Is it poor? Why would you say this?). 14. What ethnocultural amenities can you see in the area? Name at least 3 restaurants, shops, churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, cultural halls, or other features that cater to a particular ethnic-cultural group and what that group is. 15. What arts and cultural amenities can you see in the area? Name at least 3 resources that foster the production or consumption of the arts (theatres, halls, dance, fashion, arts classes, music). 16. What public transportation amenities can you see in the neighbourhood? What bus or streetcar routes run through the neighbourhood? Is there a subway line? Are there GO train stops? Does there seem to be good access to public transportation? 17. What are the resources for pedestrians or wheelchair users in the neighbourhood? Are there sidewalks? Are there curb-cuts? Are there shortcuts and paved paths? Are there recreational paths?

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
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18. Are there adequate amenities for cyclists? Bike lanes? Sharrows? Pass throughs or slower traffic streets? 19. Are there any amenities particularly for senior citizens or children? List them here Section 4: Reflection 20. After your background and field research, write 3 questions you still have about your neighbourhood. List 3 resources you may try to use to find out the answers to your questions. Bibliography (optional, please use APA formatting. See https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/refere

nce_list_basic_rules.html for details)

You can list the resources above again, and any other you found in your research process.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/referen