Sustainable Development Planning & Design
Appointments
Current
Assistant Professor of Landscape Modeling - SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Sustainable Resources Management
Bioeconomy research cluster; Environmental & sustainability indicators; Sustainable development; Landscape ecology; Global change; Landscape planning; Ecological restoration; Resilience; Applied statistics; Applied geoinformatics; Spatial analysis & modeling
Current
Principal - GeoEco Inc.
Research, Innovation & Applied Practice
Multidisciplinary research, design, and environmental planning firm specializing in the applied practice of ecological restoration, resilience planning and sustainable development
Current
Associate Professor - Toronto Metropolitan University
Geography & Environmental Studies
Landscape ecology; Biogeography; Conservation of natural resources; Environmental planning & policy; GIS; Natural hazards; Ecological restoration; Spatial analysis & quantitative methods; Sustainability science; Water resources; Weather & climate; Global change; Urbanization
Past
Senior Partner - Mapping Connections LLC
Mapping Death Penalty Mitigation
For over a decade, created content, designed and presented in federal court death penalty cases and national conferences. Focus: to better understand geographies as it relates to the probability of maladaptive outcomes. Directed: contract negotiation; business development; cartographic deliverables; law conferences & publications.
Past
Assistant Professor - Binghamton University
Environmental Studies; Geography
Environmental planning & policy; Water resources planning & management; Natural hazards; Physical geography; Weather & climate
Past
J. William Fulbright Scholar
Sustainability, Landscapes, & Human Behavior
Pre-doctoral Fellow at the Academy of Science of Moldova, Institute of Ecology and Geography
Select Publications
Shaker, R.R., Mackay, B.R. (2021) “Hidden patterns of sustainable development in Asia with underlying global change correlations.” Ecological Indicators, 131, 108227. link
R.R. Shaker, J.M Aversa, V. Papp, B.M. Serre & B.R. Mackay. (2020). “Showcasing Relationships between Neighborhood Design and Wellbeing Toronto Indicators .” Sustainability DOI: 10.3390/su12030997 link
Vaz, E., Shaker, R.R., & Cusimano, M. D. (2020). A geographical exploration of environmental and land use characteristics of suicide in the greater Toronto area. Psychiatry research, 287, 112790. link
Medland, S. J., Shaker, R.R., Forsythe, K. W., Mackay, B. R., & Rybarczyk, G. (2020). A multi-Criteria Wetland Suitability Index for Restoration across Ontario’s Mixedwood Plains. Sustainability, 12(23), 9953. link
Shaker, R.R., Altman, Y., Deng, C., Vaz, E., & Forsythe, K. W. (2019). Investigating urban heat island through spatial analysis of New York City streetscapes. Journal of cleaner production, 233, 972-992. pdf
Shaker, R.R., Rybarczyk, G., Brown, C., Papp, V., Alkins, S. (2019). (Re)emphasizing Urban Infrastructure Resilience via Scoping Review and Content Analysis. Urban Sci., 3, 44. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci3020044 link
Shaker, R.R. (2018). A mega-index for the Americas and its underlying sustainable development correlations. Ecological indicators, 89, 466-479. link
Shaker, R.R. (2018). Examining sustainable landscape function across the Republic of Moldova. Habitat International, 72, 77-91. link
Brown, C., R.R. Shaker, R. Das. (2018). “A review of approaches for monitoring and evaluation of urban climate resilience initiatives.” Environment, Development and Sustainability pdf
R.R. Shaker, A.D. Yakubov, S.M. Nick, E. Vennie-Vollrath, T.J. Ehlinger, & K.W. Forsythe. (2017). “Predicting Aquatic Invasion in Adirondack Lakes: A Spatial Analysis of Lake and Landscape Characteristics.” Ecosphere DOI: 10.1002/esc.1723 link
Shaker, R.R., & I.G. Sirodoev. (2016). “Assessing sustainable development across Moldova using household and property composition indicators.” Habitat International 55: 192-204. pdf
Brown, C., R.R. Shaker, M. Gorgolewski, V. Papp, S. Alkins. (2016). “Urban resilience in Canada: Research priorities and best practices for climate resilience in cities.” Knowledge Synthesis Grant, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Grant No. 421‐2015‐1037. pdf
Forsythe, K.W., C.H. Marvin, D.E. Mitchell, J.M. Aversa, S.J. Swales, D.A. Burniston, J.P. Watt, D.J. Jakubek, M.H. McHenry, & R.R. Shaker. (2016). “Utilization of Bathymetry Data to Examine Lead Sediment Contamination Distributions in Lake Ontario.” AIMS Environmental Science 3(3): 347-361. link
Forsythe, K., C. Marvin, C. Valancius, J. Watt, J. Aversa, S. Swales, D. Jakubek, R. Shaker. (2016). “Geovisualization of Mercury Contamination in Lake St. Clair Sediments.” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 4(19): 1-10. link
Shaker, R.R. (2015). “The well-being of nations: an empirical assessment of sustainable urbanization for Europe.” International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 22(5): 375-387. pdf
Shaker, R.R. (2015). “The spatial distribution of development in Europe and its underlying sustainability correlations.” Applied Geography 63: 304-314. pdf
Shaker, R.R., & S.L. Zubalsky. (2015). “Examining patterns of sustainability across Europe: a multivariate and spatial assessment of 25 composite indices.” International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 22(1): 1-13. pdf
Shaker, R.R., T.J. Ehlinger. (2014). “Exploring Non-Linear Relationships between Landscape and Aquatic Ecological Condition in Southern Wisconsin: A GWR and ANN Approach.” International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research 5(4): 1-20. link
Shaker, R.R., C.J. Rapp, A.D. Yakubov. (2013). “Examining Patterns of Aquatic Invasion within the Adirondacks: An OLS and GLM Approach.” Middle States Geographer 46: 1-11. link
Shaker, R.R., & C.J. Rapp. (2013). “Investigating Aquatic Invasive Species Propagation within the Adirondack Region of New York: A Lake and Landscape Approach.” Papers in Applied Geography 36: 200-209. pdf
Shaker, R.R., G.J. Espinosa, E.Y. Chin. (2012). “Exploring Landscape Form and Upland Forest Fragmentation on Aquatic Condition in Susquehanna River Basin Headwaters.” Papers of the Applied Geography Conference 35: 10-20. link
Bucur, M. et al. (2011). “The integrate ecological monitoring aspects presentation for Siutghiol (Mamaia) Lake using GIS technology.” Ovidius University Annals, Biology-Ecology Series (15): 73-76. pdf
Ehlinger, T. et al. (2011). “Applications of a Participatory Ex Ante Assessment Model for Environmental Governance and Visualizing Sustainable Redevelopment in Gorj County, Romania.” In: Andreopoulou, Z., B. Manos, N. Polman, D. Viaggi (Ed.) Agricultural and Environmental Informatics, Governance, and Management: Emerging Research Applications, pp. 61-86. IGI Global. pdf
Eno, J., & R. Shaker. (2011). “Mapping Death Penalty Mitigation.” NLADA Cornerstone 32(1): 8-13. link
Shaker, R.R., G. Sirodoev, & I. Sirodoev. (2011). “Landslide Susceptibility in the Republic of Moldova: A Landscape and Multivariate Approach for Regional Assessment.” Papers of the Applied Geography Conferences 34: 288-298. pdf
Shaker, R.R. (2010). “Investigating Land Cover and Urban Pattern Impacts on Watershed Integrity: A GWR and ANN Approach.” Papers of the Applied Geography Conferences 33: 24-36. pdf
Shaker, R. et al. (2010). “Land Cover and Landscape as Predictors of Groundwater Contamination: A Neural-Network Modelling Approach Applied to Dobrogea, Romania.” Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology 11(1): 337-348. pdf
Shaker, R.R., A.I. Crăciun, & Ionela Grădinaru. (2010). “Relating Land Cover and Urban Patterns to Aquatic Ecological Integrity: A Spatial Analysis.” Geographia Technica 9(1): 76-90. pdf
Shaker, R.R. (2010). “Indicators and the Quest for Sustainable Development: Local Geographic Needs... Anyone?” Geographica Timisiensis 19(1): 163-171. pdf
Shaker, R.R., & T.D. Drezner. (2010). “A New Technique for Predicting the Sky-View Factor for Urban Heat Island Assessment.” Geographical Bulletin 51(2): 85-96. link
Shaker, R.R., G.A. Rybarczyk, & J. Eno. (2009). “Relating Environmental and Socioeconomic Stressors to Violent Crime: Evaluating Three Major Cities in the United States.” Papers of the Applied Geography Conferences 33: 24-36. pdf
Ehlinger, T. et al. (2008). “Ecological and Sustainable Redevelopment of Mining Zones in Gorj County, Romania.” USTDA Gorj County Report. For: The Romanian National Agency for the Redevelopment of Mining Zones. U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). link
Novotny, V. et al. (2007). “Developing Risk Propagation Model for Estimating Ecological Responses of Streams to Anthropogenic Watershed Stresses and Stream Modification.” TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 15. Center for urban and environmental studies, Northeastern University. EPA/NSF/USDA Star Watershed Program. Grant No. R83‐0885‐010. pdf
O’Reilly, N., T.J. Ehlinger, & R.R. Shaker. (2007). “The Development and Evaluation of Methods for Quantifying Risk to Fish in Warm-water Streams of Wisconsin Using Self Organized Maps: Influences of Watershed and Habitat Stressors.” TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 14. Center for urban and environmental studies, Northeastern University. EPA/NSF/USDA Star Watershed Program. Grant No. R83-0885-010. pdf
Shaker, R.R., & T.J. Ehlinger. (2007). “Agricultural Land Fragmentation and Biological Integrity: The Impacts of a Rapidly Changing Landscape on Streams in Southeastern Wisconsin.” TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 11. Center for urban and environmental studies, Northeastern University. EPA/NSF/USDA Star Watershed Program. Grant No. R83‐0885‐010. pdf
Courses
Environmental Process & Policy
This course offers an introduction to environmental management and planning processes as they are addressed in public policy. This course emphasizes factors that influence decision-making; furthermore, including political issues, economics, public interest, and legal requirements from local to global scale. Difficulties associated with defining goals, uncertainty in environmental impacts, and balancing qualitative and quantitative factors in decision-making will be addressed in detail. Role-playing simulation throughout the semester will be utilized to illustrate issues and alternatives discussed in this class. Roughly the first month will be spent on background information, after which one class period a week will be “normal” class and the other will be spent in simulation. Your group simulation projects will only work with your active cooperation and informed participation. It is expected that you will conduct outside research on alternative policies and plans associated with your simulations. The environmental planning topics covered in this course are generally applicable across several fields of study and can be considered prerequisite for most “real world” planning analyses. syllabus
Water Resources Planning & Management
This course provides an overview of how water is managed in an applied resource and regional planning context. Aspects of water’s role in Earth systems, relationships between natural and social systems, and the management and utilization of water as a resource are included in this class. More specifically, the global hydrological cycle and the influence of climate, geology, vegetation, technology, economics, and human activity are explored through a geographic perspective in this course. A holistic approach (e.g., environmental, economic, social) will be applied to better understand the role of integrated water resource management in environmental planning. This course is also designed to provide examples of water resources planning by various agencies and levels of government. To elucidate the planning and management process, interdisciplinary teamwork, role-playing, and presentation will be used to investigate water related topics. syllabus
Environmental Planning
Environmental planning is a broad topic encompassing landscape planning, water resources management, airshed planning, solid waste management, wildlife management, human health planning, more. This “capstone” course is designed to provide students with an overview of the theory and practice of environmental policy and management. Case studies taken from developed and developing countries will be used to illustrate how management approaches are put into practice and to evaluate their effectiveness. Environmental planning requires: knowledge of planning issues and objectives, analytical and writing skills, ability to integrate different viewpoints and disciplines, collecting information, analyzing and interpreting results, and presenting information. Environmental planning is usually conducted by an interdisciplinary team working together; albeit, a successful environmental plan uses a variety of skills and techniques (i.g., writing, math, graphics, spreadsheets, GIS analyses, mapping, and presentation). Two course assignments will provide students an opportunity to explore areas of interests in more detail. A semester long group project engaging an environmental issue in the Greater Binghamton region will operationalize the environmental planning process.
Weather & Climate
Weather and climate affect daily activities, our leisure hours, transportation, commerce, agriculture, and nearly every aspect of our lives. This introductory course provides a systematic study of processes that govern variations in atmospheric conditions over time and space. Heat exchange, hydrologic cycle, and dynamics of air movement are examined in relation to causes for various climatic patterns on Earth. Further, elements of applied climatology related to specific problems such as irrigation needs, wind erosion of soils, acid rain, water pollution, flood and storm prediction, and climate change will be explored through a geographic perspective in this course. In the latter part of the semester, the current debate on climate change will be reviewed from a scientific point of view, with a focus on those aspects that have the largest potential impact on global society, socioeconomic systems, and natural ecosystems. An independent laboratory session, organized weekly, is mandatory for successful completion of this course.
Natural Hazards
Natural hazards affect all regions of Earth. The loss of human lives, disruption of economies, and destruction of physical infrastructure that result from these events often lead to national crises both in developing and developed countries. This course addresses the complexities of natural hazards and disasters from environmental, economic, social, scientific, and policy perspectives. Issues such as evaluation of physical environments, land use and development patterns, prediction of disasters, differences in vulnerability, perceptions of risk, degree of exposure, responses to warning, and hazard management initiatives are explored through a geographic perspective in this course. A holistic approach (e.g., environmental, economic, social) will be applied to better understand the role of integrated environmental hazard mitigation, planning, and management. This course is designed to provide “real world” examples of how natural hazards and disasters affect coupled human-environmental systems. To elucidate the environmental hazard mitigation process, interdisciplinary teamwork, scientific research, and presentation will be utilized throughout this course. Students are expected to have some knowledge of geophysical processes and characteristics of extreme natural events.
Applied geography Field Study
This course introduces advanced field techniques and research methods in Geography. It is important that you know what you are going to encounter here. Geography is a subject that straddles the divide between the natural and social world – this is one of the reasons why it is such an important subject. It is a discipline that falls between society and the natural world. In order to take up this position the discipline has to have practitioners (geographers) who can engage in serious research in both the natural and social sciences. Put simply, in Geography we have researchers who regard themselves as human geographers and those who are better described as physical geographers. With different types of geographers come different methods being used within their associated research. The aim of this course is to offer an introduction to some of the methods (and philosophies) that are used in geographical field research. The approach here will be wide ranging, attempting to cover the many ways in which research can be undertaken in both physical geography (a natural science) and human geography (some say social science or, for others, a branch of arts and humanities). The specific aims of this course are to: 1) describe qualitative and quantitative approaches in Geography; 2) collect in situ data pertinent to discipline relevant hypotheses, and 3) consider the nature, acquisition, analyses, syntheses, presentation, and mapping of geographical data. Along with writing assignments, a semester long group project that engages the Greater Binghamton region will operationalize concepts taught in this course.