Calvin Onian Masilela

Associate Professor of Geography, West Virginia University

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Environmental Design and Planning, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Virginia, 1989.

M.A. Urban and Regional Planning, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Virginia 1983.

Diploma in Urban Planning Implementation, University of Westminster, London, UK, 1981.

B.A. (Honors) Urban Planning Studies, University of Westminster, London, England, 1980.

RELEVANT OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

1995 – present Coordinator, WVU Southern Africa Area Studies Group. In my capacity as coordinator I have visited several times all the partnership institutions in Southern Africa to formalize bilateral linkage agreements with WVU and review partnership status matters. Partnership institutions include: University of the North (SA), University of the North West (SA), University of Pretoria (SA), University of Venda (SA), University of Witwatersrand (SA); University of Zimbabwe (SA), and the South African Government Department of Land Affairs.

  • 1996   Spent 6 weeks in Zimbabwe conducting field research on resettlement schemes in Matabeleland North.
  • 1997  Spent 8 weeks in South Africa conducting field research on peri-urban development on the fringe of South Africa’s secondary cities in the Northern and Gauteng Provinces
  • 1999    I was invited to present a keynote address at a National Science Foundation sponsored Workshop on Integrated Analysis and Management of Renewable Natural Resources in Mozambique.

 

RELEVANT LANGUAGE SKILLS

I am fluent in two African languages in South Africa: Zulu and Ndebele.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Planning Association

West Virginia Planning Association

Sigma Xi, Scientific Research

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Food security and Rural development; Land Use and Agrarian Reform in Southern Africa; Settlement Planning; Third World Urbanization; Community Planning;

COURSES TAUGHT

World Regional Geography; Introduction to Human Geography; Geography of Africa; Basic Studies; Urban and Regional Planning; Land use policy; Planning theory and process.

RESEARCH GRANTS RECEIVED

I have received over $70,000 in competitive funding form in internal and external sources

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Published more than 20 journal articles, book reviews and technical reports related to land reform, settlement planning, land use planning, urbanization and development issues. Over 40 presentations have been given at a variety of professional and academic societies.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Masilela, C.O., and Meyer, W. A., 1999. The Role of Citizen Participation in Comprehensive Planning: The Morgantown Experience. Small Town. (forthcoming).

Masilela, C.O., and Rankin, D., 1998. Land Reform in Zimbabwe: ZANU-PF’s Red Herring. The East African Geographical Review (EAGR), Volume 20 (1), pp. 1-19.

Masilela, C.O., 1998. Malawi. In Saul Cohen (Editor-in-chief). The Columbia Gazetteer of the World, Columbia University Press. Volume 2, pp.1851.

Masilela, C.O., 1998. Zambia. In Saul Cohen (Editor-in-chief). The Columbia Gazetteer of the World, Columbia University Press. Volume 3, pp. 3548-3549.

Masilela, C.O., 1998. Zimbabwe. In Saul Cohen (Editor-in-chief). The Columbia Gazetteer of the World, Columbia University Press. Volume 3, pp. 3568-3569.

Masilela, C.O., and Weiner, D., 1997. Lessons from Zimbabwe's Land Resettlement Experience. In de Villiers, A. and Critchley W., Rural Land Reform Issues in Southern Africa: Lessons For South Africa's Northern Province, University of the North, South Africa, pp 24-41.

Masilela, C. O., and Weiner, D., 1996. Resettlement Planning In Zimbabwe and South's Africa's Rural Land Reform Discourse. Third World Planning Review. Volume 18 (1), pp. 23-43.

Masilela, C.O., 1995. Contested Lands: Conflict & Compromise in New Jersey Pine Barrens. By Robert J. Mason. 1992. Temple University Press. Pennsylvania Geographer. Volume XXXIII, 1, pp. 93-95.

Masilela, C.O., 1994. Teaching American Students About Urbanization in Developing Countries: The Use of Role-Playing Exercises. Journal of Geography, 93, 3, pp.114-124.

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Date/Place of Birth: October 27, 1955, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Address: Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University

425 White Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506-6300

Phone: (304) 293-5603 x 4321

Fax: (304) 293-6522.

Citizenship: United States Permanent Resident

Email: cmasilel@wvu.edu