Milton Friesen
Core ideas that orient a significant amount of my work include the exploration of complexity science by means of various network approaches. Network dynamics are a persistent feature of our human interactions including the organizations, institutions and societies that Cardus is working to support and make sense of.
Urban planners are in constant interaction with these social structures at a wide variety of levels. I have found that computational modeling is valuable for these explorations alongside traditional statistics, machine learning, and spatial statistical approaches.
I am very interested in how organizations adapt to change (or fail to adapt) and cities are key players in this dynamic. Resilient enterprises at all scales invest energy in designing and nurturing intelligent processes that allow room for surprise, novelty and feedback. These reflect the social infrastructure dynamics that the Social Cities program actively explores.
Research development themes include a nearly completed Ph.D. at the University of Waterloo School of Planning that is focused on new ways to measure the social fabric of neighbourhoods, as well as participating in the Waterloo Institute on Complexity and Innovation .
I have written a number of articles for Municipal World and serve on the Steering Committee of the Thriving Cities Project (Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture) at the University of Virginia. I am a member of the Computational Social Sciences Society of the Americas as well as the Congress for the New Urbanism.
I have served a three-year term as an elected municipal councillor and run in two other municipal campaigns (including a mayoral race) that did not lead to election. The Social Cities program has been a regular participant in the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities Trade Show where new research, policy, and city building ideas are presented.
Urban planners are in constant interaction with these social structures at a wide variety of levels. I have found that computational modeling is valuable for these explorations alongside traditional statistics, machine learning, and spatial statistical approaches.
I am very interested in how organizations adapt to change (or fail to adapt) and cities are key players in this dynamic. Resilient enterprises at all scales invest energy in designing and nurturing intelligent processes that allow room for surprise, novelty and feedback. These reflect the social infrastructure dynamics that the Social Cities program actively explores.
Research development themes include a nearly completed Ph.D. at the University of Waterloo School of Planning that is focused on new ways to measure the social fabric of neighbourhoods, as well as participating in the Waterloo Institute on Complexity and Innovation .
I have written a number of articles for Municipal World and serve on the Steering Committee of the Thriving Cities Project (Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture) at the University of Virginia. I am a member of the Computational Social Sciences Society of the Americas as well as the Congress for the New Urbanism.
I have served a three-year term as an elected municipal councillor and run in two other municipal campaigns (including a mayoral race) that did not lead to election. The Social Cities program has been a regular participant in the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities Trade Show where new research, policy, and city building ideas are presented.
less
InterestsView All (13)
Uploads
Papers by Milton Friesen
urban policy and community development. In particular, we will evaluate the possibility of an updated assessment of social
capital measurement in the context of the following key question:
What are the merits of an updated Social Capital Measurement Report for urban policy makers and community development leaders?
Report 1: Contemporary Cultural Context of Socio-cultural Goods of Religion How are we advancing the understanding of the socio-cultural good of religion—especially Christianity as the dominant faith in North America? How does religion contribute to the well-being of cities? What form do these religious public goods take? What are their shortcomings that would be valuable to address?
Report 2: State of Research and Influence of Socio-cultural Goods of Religion What insights does research provide that could inform people and help shape public relations and policy efforts on behalf of the socio-cultural good of religion? What are the stories that can be told? What do educators, journalists, and cultural influencers need to know? How could this work be undertaken?
Report 3: Future Conditions of the Socio-cultural Goods of Religion Future research, collaboration, and learning need intentional focus and investment. How will this investment become more difficult in the coming years? How will it get easier? What would it look like for religious faith to be seen as a vital contributor to the common good that we depend on? How might the history of religion and the common good inform our future?
urban policy and community development. In particular, we will evaluate the possibility of an updated assessment of social
capital measurement in the context of the following key question:
What are the merits of an updated Social Capital Measurement Report for urban policy makers and community development leaders?
Report 1: Contemporary Cultural Context of Socio-cultural Goods of Religion How are we advancing the understanding of the socio-cultural good of religion—especially Christianity as the dominant faith in North America? How does religion contribute to the well-being of cities? What form do these religious public goods take? What are their shortcomings that would be valuable to address?
Report 2: State of Research and Influence of Socio-cultural Goods of Religion What insights does research provide that could inform people and help shape public relations and policy efforts on behalf of the socio-cultural good of religion? What are the stories that can be told? What do educators, journalists, and cultural influencers need to know? How could this work be undertaken?
Report 3: Future Conditions of the Socio-cultural Goods of Religion Future research, collaboration, and learning need intentional focus and investment. How will this investment become more difficult in the coming years? How will it get easier? What would it look like for religious faith to be seen as a vital contributor to the common good that we depend on? How might the history of religion and the common good inform our future?
The overall design of this course is intended to favour simplicity as a means of maximizing your understanding. Course readings are clear, organized, and easy to locate. Assignments are direct, relevant to the course, and include a core project that gives you room for creative exploration. This combination is designed to be a strong basis for your professional and career development.