In memoriam: Harry Coblentz.

In September 2003, the Planning School and the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) lost an outstanding retired faculty member and graduate student supervisor: Harry Coblentz. From 1984 to 1994, Harry served as the Editor-in-Chief of Environments. During his 10-year tenure with this refereed journal, Harry remained committed to the original vision and mandate of the publication: an interdisciplinary journal which addresses people in the built and natural environments, with a focus on integrated knowledge in the fields of environment, development and design.

The breadth and depth of journal articles, during Harry's decade as editor, were always interesting and informative: from health care policy and planning for special needs groups to regional modeling and forecasting; from human ecology to sacred spaces; from environmental management and conservation to third world architecture and development. This intellectual diversity was premised on an expanding global definition of the term 'environment'. As Harry noted in a 1991 editorial, "The word Environment has emerged from having a remote meaning in science to encompass a vast range of meanings .... In my lifetime as a planner, I have never experienced another such growth of intellectual and popular significance as I have with the word, concept, idea and ideologue, Environment".

Harry was always quick to acknowledge the work and support of other colleagues. During his time as Editor-in-Chief, he was ably assisted by the following Managing Editors: Linda Norton, Judy Bruyn, and Catherine Elstone; and by the following Contact, Book Review and Ideas Editors: Geoffrey Wall, Pierre Filion, Brenda Lee, Mary Ellen Tyler, Jean Audrey, Michael Elmitt, and Anu Banerji. Harry also made judicious use of guest editors including other faculty colleagues as well as recognized experts from other countries.

In addition to his work with this journal, Harry contributed greatly to the academic life of the Faculty and served in many administrative capacities, including Director of the Planning School and Graduate Studies Officer. As Planning Professor and graduate student supervisor, his areas of specialty included health, housing and human services planning and environmental policy. His memory lives on in the pages of Environments as it continues to promote and publish multidisciplinary research dealing with a broad range of environmental issues.

Jim Whaley

MA Planning, 1985