Orientation Week
(updated Jan./09)

The MCP program commences with orientation activities. New M1 students should read the News page for key events in early September and refer to the New Students page for additional information.

Orientation activities change each year but you can gain a good impression by the highligts of earlier Orientations presented below.

A summary of the Orientation Day 2005 is provided below by Justin Lee:

The day began with a North End bus tour guided by Tom Yauk who revealed a great deal of history on the development of North End neighbourhoods in the city. The first half of the tour focused on the development of public housing and social services in the Lord Selkirk area. The second half brought us through Point Douglas where Tom spoke to the history of the industrial and residential development of the area.

After the bus tour concluded we broke off for lunch in the Exchange District before an Exchange-district walking tour with Jino Distasio. In addition to revealing the development and revitalization history of the area, Jino provided us with an opportunity to explore a former warehouse being converted to condominium use.

The final leg of our day was a boat tour of the Red and Assiniboine rivers with Ted McLachlan. The tour revealed the extent of damage caused by erosion to the Red River along with the various measures being used to restore the riverbank.

A great deal was learned that day about the history and political process of Winnipeg's development over the last one hundred years for newcomers and long-time residents of the city alike. The tour was a great basis for the new class of M1 students to start their program.
Tom Yauk in foreground in Point Douglas and view of a church during bus tour of the North End.
(R) Jino Distasio and Richard Milgrom in foreground speaking with students about the cultural facilities in the Exchange District, here the concert hall. (L) Touring the atrium pedestiran 'street' in Red River College linking buildings along a former rail spur.
(R) River tour, here on the Assinboine opposite the Legislature and River Walkway. (L) Evidence of extended high water this summer and extensive bank erosion.
(R) Jino Distasio explaining potential for adaptive reuse of former parking garage opposite Market Square in the Exchange. (L) Typical warehouse interior in process of conversions to residential use.

Orientation Week 2003 In 2003 we experimented by delaying the formal orientation until the beginning of the first full week of classes. This re-timing provided the opportunity to participate - as options (and paying the related cost) - in one of two special progams, namely the Environmental Design Sketch Camp (September 2-7) and the Chicago Field-Trip with ED 3 students (August 30-September 6).

Below are views of some of the various activities during the week, and from earlier Orientations.

Historic Exchange District: The Ashdown Hardware building, was the first exchange warehouse to be converted to condos. Below is view of the Princess block under construction incorporating the preserved facades in the near completed downtown campus building for Red River College.

We went to CanWest Global board room to have an overview of the downtown and the Forks.



We toured housing renovation innitiatives in the Selkirk neighbourhood.

L: We had lunch with lunch at the MPPI office with President Chris Leach. L: Students were introduced to City of Winnipeg planning initiatives by Harry Finnigan, Director of Planning and Development
The end of Orientation BBQ is a great opportunity to meet students in other years and as kick off to the new term.


L: Ian Skelton serving. L: Linda McFadyn (President elect of MPPI) speaking with Chris Leo and Tom Carter.



Downtown: Doug Clark, then Executive Director of the Downtown BIZ introduced
students to the varied work of the BIZ. Doug then lead a walking tour
of Portage east side blocks, including the new Mountain Equipment Coop
ending at Portage and Main where we tried to figure out the underground
options to cross the intersection.

Lisa Holowchuk, Executive Director of the Exchange BIZ explained
the redevelopment process of the Ashdown building on Main,
into a dance centre and offices. She lead a tour of the newly opened
Red River College building. While there was much to see,
there was time to stop and smell the flowers.
L: Students gathering prior to river boat cruise. R: Using Dr. Bridgman's back
to draw on a map where to meet during the urban quest scavenger hunt.




Above: Teams reporting on their finding at the completion of The Urban Quest.
Questions range from history, urban design, Winnipeg and regional places
and current events. The latter being a recent presentation of Jane Jacobs
arranged by the Mayor.

Orientation Week 2001
Exchange District: Wayne Copet, Executive Director of the Exchange District Business Improvement Zone met students in Market Square to lead a walking tour through the Historic Exchange District. The Princess block is under construction incorporating the preserved facades in a new downtown campus building for Red River College to open spring 2002.

Attention was directed to various issues in the area. including traffic, pedestrian safety, parking, conversion, regulations.

Our walk included looking at many adaptive use buildings in the area.
We discussed the approved route for the controversial Waterfront Drive.

River Cruise: L: Professor Ted McLachlan pointing out the pattern of urban development in Winnipeg influenced by river system and land survey practices. R: The Legislature under renovation, stairs to the Assiniboine River.
MPPI Annual General Meeting: Students were encouraged to attend the dinner meeting. MPPI President Chris Leach welcomed to Manitoba Dr. David Witty, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and acknowledged him as a Fellow of the Institute. The President of CIP David Palubeski (another Winnipeg practitioner) presented the Strategic Plan of the Canadian Institute of Planners. Linda McFadyen, (UMCP grad) Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Urban Initiatives with Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs made a presentation on 'Neighbourhoods Alive!"

Chris Leach, David Witty (left) Linda McFadyen (right). David Palubeski (centre and presenting in right photo.)

Downtown: Doug Clark Executive Director of the Downtown BIZ introduced students to the varied work of the BIZ. Doug is a Landscape Architect. He then lead a walking tour of Portage east side blocks ending at Portage and Main where we took the free shuttle bus to the Forks.

CP Alumnus Michael Dudley, Research Associate and Director of Library introduces students to libary holdings at the Urban Studies Institute UofW on Portage Ave.

Urban Quest: Students were divided into four teams and charged with the task of answering or providing evidence for a long list of questions bout the history, form, organizations, places of the city. This included a personal project to present an album describing their impression of urban form along a transect from home to downtown.




Department Barbeque: The wrap up event to the week was held in the courtyard of the J.A. Russell building. This provides an opportunity for new students to meet other staff, adjuncts and students in an informal setting.

Orientation 2000.

Students studying residential conditions and renewal initiatives in the Sellkirk neighbourhood in north Winnipeg.


We walked the Historic Exchange District with the Executive Director of the Exchange. Photo is of the long vacant Princess Block (incorporated in 2002 into the Red River College downtown campus).



A highlight of Orientation is the river cruise along the Red and
Assiniboine. Here students during 1999 enjoy the interpretive
talk by Professor Ted McLachlan.

The Orientation wrap up event is a department barbeque,
this on held in the courtyard of the J.A. Russell building.