AJ Wray, PhD

Assistant Professor. Healthy Communities. Town-Gown Relations. Health Geography. GIScience. Urban Development. Past President @TownGownOntario. Board @ITGA_ORG

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

It's been a long time coming, and really proud of this study!

TL;DR, the pandemic created a new geography for restaurant success and failure in London 🇨🇦. During the first year of the pandemic, it mattered more about how you served customers than where you were located.

[Urban Studies Journal @USJ_online]

New article by @WrayAJ et al: Restaurant survival during the COVID-19 #pandemic: Examining operational, demographic, and #LandUse predictors in London, Canada
https://t.co/bhFhJ8nNxr
#hospitality #tourism

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

Note that most modern high speed rail projects in the last 20 years have been built with stations that are in the periphery or in new purpose built corridors and dedicated stations that were long planned or present.

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

There are two massive nation building issues with Alto in Canada:

1) it should go all the way to Windsor

2) why are they trying to ram it into Downtown Toronto to a station along corridors that are over capacity when the 407 corridor to Pearson is right there?!

[Jon Fraser @JonFraserTF]

This is looking more and more like the monorail episode from The Simpsons, except there is nothing funny about blowing $100 billion+ on this boondoggle.

I also question why there are 4 planned stations in Quebec and 3 in Ontario, despite Ontario (16.2 million) having a significantly larger population than Quebec (9 million).

https://t.co/ctBfVzPx1a

[APF Canada @AsiaPacificFdn]

How do public spaces define your health?

In a new #KakehashiConversations, we sit down with @WrayAJ , Health Geographer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to discover how cities can be thoughtfully designed to better youth health outcomes
🎧 https://t.co/XdMl8Z7luD

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

These investments are also a signal of an abundant and confident society ready to attract high-value immigrants and global corporate investment.

https://t.co/ZvHVSstIn5

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

In August, I was interviewed for a series of articles in @TheNationalNews about Dubai and Abu Dhabi's rapid population growth and construction of large public transit infrastructure.

https://t.co/wEZXvy6dbt

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

As a global centre and hub for the Middle East, investments in high-speed rail and even the humble bus are critical to meeting the needs of a growing population in the UAE.

https://t.co/S7LdeuBZz5

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

Therefore, these regulatory changes may be further exacerbating potential vulnerability among these higher-risk populations.

The article is available open access here: https://t.co/pQhFPs95nS

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

Are there more Tim Hortons or cannabis outlets in Ontario?

As of 2022, there were actually more cannabis outlets! Regulations surrounding alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco have substantially changed over the past five years in Ontario.

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

Neighborhoods with a higher prevalence of lone parenthood, low educational attainment, and government transfer recipients exhibited a higher exposure to risky substances compared to the general population.

[Craig Needles @NeedlesOnNews]

Talking Westmount Mall, downtown #ldnont, city hall locations and more with Shmuel Farhi today on the podcast!

We discuss filling empty buildings, charitable donations, misconceptions and more!

Brought to you by @Downtown_London and @CoventMarket.

[Social Sci @WesternU @westernuSocSci]

Geography & environment researcher AJ Wray shared insights with The National (U.A.E.) on the infrastructure changes needed as Dubai’s population continues to grow past 4 million—highlighting what lies ahead for a city in constant expansion. Read here: https://t.co/Cwok3jTVx4

[Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD @NIHDirector_Jay]

Today I’m announcing that @NIH is moving towards a unified approach to drive science in support of human health.

NIH will give its Institutes, Centers & Offices support to prioritize breakthrough discoveries, scientific opportunities, health needs, and a resilient workforce, while continuing to receive novel investigator-initiated research ideas.

Read more in my statement: https://t.co/aWDWBMv5T2

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

If you want to read our full analysis of how official plans and zoning bylaws in Ontario aggressively restrict student-oriented housing, you can find it in @HousPolDebate

https://t.co/KSdn5rTzbl

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

I am reminded of a policy that @NickRevington and I found in the City of Ottawa's Official Plan:

"preserve and enhance Sandy Hill as an attractive residential neighbourhood, especially for family living" 👀

Zoning isn't going to do much with policies like that in an OP!

[Ottawa Citizen @OttawaCitizen]

Adair: How the City of Ottawa can make student housing more affordable https://t.co/8kvaADHFKQ

[AJ Wray, PhD @WrayAJ]

I've joined the University of Tennessee Knoxville Department of Public Health as an Assistant Professor of Community Health Education. I am looking forward to being a Volunteer for many years to come!

[Craig Needles @NeedlesOnNews]

Friday Round Table!

Shawn Lewis, Kelly Elliott and Scott Kitching joined me to breakdown the LHSC lawsuit mess - including me sharing a few details I've uncovered that aren't in the statement of claim.

Then, bail reform and the St. Thomas fire.

@ClassicRock981
#ldnont

[Craig Needles @NeedlesOnNews]

BREAKING: LHSC has launched a $10-million lawsuit against a variety of former executives - including former CEO Jackie Schleifer-Taylor.

#ldnont