"My goal is to calculate how much single-family zoning increases housing costs in our region, and communicate that info to policymakers so they can make better-informed planning decisions."

Meet More Students in Environment

SEE MORE PROFILES

Curate your digital footprint

Want to be featured on our website? Complete our online submission form.

Submit your profile

Nathan Zemp

December 05, 2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
SMS
Email
Copy

Resource and Environmental Management master's student in the Faculty of Environment

I am a first-year Master's student in the REM Planning program. I finished my undergraduate degree in Geography at SFU in the spring of 2022, and immediately transitioned into graduate studies. I also have a background in Economics and GIS, and I try to incorporate my musical background into my studies wherever I can.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

As my research focuses on the Metro Vancouver region, I felt it was wise to stay local. The diverse range of courses offered at SFU makes it a very enjoyable program; I have thought about housing in new ways since coming here.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

My research project, for which I am working with Dr. Mark Jaccard, aims to quantify the effect of single-family zoning on housing prices in Metro Vancouver. Single-family zoning bans apartments and other compact forms of housing over vast swathes of land, making housing unaffordable when cities run out of room to sprawl outwards. My goal is to calculate how much single-family zoning increases housing costs in our region, and communicate that info to policymakers so they can make better-informed planning decisions.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

Sharing courses with a cohort of students is really incredible. In undergrad, it's extremely difficult to get to know anyone as you're all being shuffled around. In REM, we all take most of our classes together, and that makes it much easier to make friends. I've learned so much from my fellow students. I also appreciate how supportive and approachable the faculty are.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I have received the SSHRC CGSM grant and the SFU Graduate Fellowship. Both have been instrumental as they have allowed me to focus on my research and not worry about working during my studies.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM/POSTDOC POSITION TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM OR POSTDOC POSITION?

REM is a well-rounded program with well-connected professors who can seek out unique opportunities for their students. If you'd like to just complete your professional accreditation and settle into a comfortable municipal planning role, it's probably not the program for you. But if you'd like to challenge your preconceptions and influence some change in the world, this is the place to do it.

 

Contact Nathan: nzemp@sfu.ca

Additional Links