A new approach to infrastructure

In the emerging issue of cities’ aging infrastructure, even the economics are at a standstill, according to Robert MacDermid, professor of political science in York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, reported the Financial Post April 10. “Now that we’ve built out, there is no more money to be made from development charges,” MacDermid told the Post. “And the sewers and water systems put in place 50 years ago did not anticipate the growth we’ve experienced in urban areas. Everything is destined to be extremely costly.” Read full story.

New player enters arbitration scene
Some big names are joining the newest player in Toronto’s arbitration scene, reported Legal Feeds, the blog of Canadian Lawyer Magazine April 9. On April 18, Arbitration Place in Toronto’s financial district will hold its official opening at the Bay Adelaide Centre. The new firm’s member arbitrators include Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Janet Walker. Read full story.

When in Rome
Toronto magazine editor Elio Iannacci (BA Hons. ’99), no stranger to various mastheads in the city and a hot new recruit at Fashion, says that a one-on-one interview with famed actress Sophia Loren had even higher personal stakes for him: While a student in the creative writing program at York University, the fan boy once wrote 40 poems about her for his independent study. Read full story.

Sketching an unfamiliar world
New York is a “big rush of never-ending invention, a sensation of being late to everything,” York fine arts grad Tracey Ma (BDes Spec. Hons. ’10) told entertainment.salon.com, in a story published April 9. The story on the award-winning designer was also published in imprint.printmag.com after she landed a job at Bloomberg Businessweek, where her unique pop designs are getting attention. Read full story.