Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS) Adjunct Associate Professor Harry Harker has been named to the Canadian Institute of Planners' (CIP) College of Fellows.
Earlier this month, at CIP 2014 in Fredericton, Harry was awarded a Fellowship by the Canadian Institute of Planners in recognition of his dedication to planning professionalism, his long-standing commitment to mentoring the profession's next generation, and the innovation he has displayed throughout his four-decade career in planning.
As Manager of CitySpaces' Alberta and the Prairies Operations, Harry has led the company's efforts to offer public and private sector clients across Alberta and Saskatchewan better access its unique approach to the provision of professional planning services. In this role Harry has brought with him the perspective and experience of 42 years of planning practice. This past year at EVDS, he taught the Professional Planning Practice course that gave graduate planning students opportunities to develop practical solutions to case-specific planning issues related to the redevelopment in the flood ravaged Town of High River.
Induction into the CIP's College of Fellows is a special honour given to CIP Members who act as leadership role models to others through professional achievements and significant career experience. Election as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners is the Institute's highest award.
"To be considered worthy to be included with the Canadian Planning professions most esteemed practitioners is very amazing honour," Harry says. "Throughout my career, I've just tended to 'put my head down' and move towards my goal of leaving the communities I've served a bit better places to live, and the staff I've worked with better prepared to carry on in the future. Looking back I can see that, from time to time, I've accomplished those goals."
After earning a Bachelor of Science with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Harry was inspired to embark on a career in planning during his service as a Deck Officer (3rd Mate) aboard U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hopper dredges. Working on these vessels for more then a year, he observed first hand the negative environmental impacts of then-common and permitted operational practices, and gained an appreciation for the world's growing concern over the degradation of marine environments. It would all soon come full-circle; after earning a Master's degree in Environmental Health Engineering from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Harry went on to lead a research team that performed environmental impact assessments on a number of the Corps of Engineers' coastal dredging projects. As the definition of "environmental impacts" was expanded by the courts and common sense to include social and fiscal aspects, Harry's interest in planning expanded as well, leading him to undertake post-graduate studies in Regional Planning at the University of Waterloo and undertake his first Canadian planning work on behalf of the Yukon Native Brotherhood.
His career has since spanned both the private and public sectors, with a range of experience in development services, urban design, first nations and local government planning and management.
Harry has been active in his professional organizations, serving as a PIBC board member and President, an APPI board member, and numerous conference organizing committees. In addition, he has actively mentored young professionals and promoted the benefits of mentorship to his peers. Along with FCIP and PIBC Planner of The Year recognitions, Harry has also been awarded the Willis Award for Innovation from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.