I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Nik Luka, for all his incredible insight and encouragement in this endeavor. You have helped me make sense of this whole crazy thing we call ‘the city’ and ‘the suburb’, and I could not have asked for a better mentor and partner in crime in this endeavour. Kiel Moe, for giving me the questions to ask about the formation of our world, and the tools to investigate them. Michael Jemtrud, for all of your advice and perspectives on architecture over the past decade, encouraging me to look at the intensive aspects of architecture which have sent me down avenues that are only now becoming clear. And of course, for bringing me to McGill and connecting me with Nik, Kiel, and the rest of the incredible faculty here.
I am truly humbled to say that I stand on the shoulders of giants in conducting this work. It is built upon a lifetime of insights, mentorships, and lessons from too many people to count, all of whom I would like to thank. There are a few in particular that I would like to call attention to: Annmarie Adams, Andrea Atkins, Nicolay Boyadjev, Mona El-Khafif, Rosetta Elkin, Mark Galante, Rick Haldenby, Dave Holborn, Jane Hutton, Bob Intini, Margaret Keats, Andrew King, Lena Kleinheinz, Brendan Lacy, Daniela Leon, Leo Lin, Michelle Lin, Michael Lindell, Bruce Law, Christopher MacDonald, Tim McDonald, Donald McKay, Terri Meyer-Boake, Martin Ostermann, Marc-Andre Plourde, Brenda Reid, Dereck Revington, Val Rynnimeri, John Straube, David Theodore, Robert Jan van Pelt, and Peter Yeadon.
And of course, my parents Tom and Linda, and my sisters, Sarah and Katie for all of their help and support over the years.