Justin Bur

Justin Bur is a PhD student in Urban Studies at the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), combining his dual background in urban planning (M.Urb., Université de Montréal 1994) and computer science (M.Sc., Université de Montréal 1989). Over twenty years as a software developer, he conducted independent research on Montreal's railway history and Mile End district development.

• Education: M.Urb. and M.Sc. from Université de Montréal
• Current Research: Historical development of Montreal neighborhoods (1895–1930), focusing on tramway-era urban expansion and architectural typologies

His work explores how early public transportation shaped Montreal's iconic two- and three-story apartment blocks with exterior staircases. He is actively involved in local history organizations (Mémoire du Mile End, Les Amis du boulevard Saint-Laurent) and serves as a Montreal tour guide.

His publications span urban history (e.g., Historical Dictionary of the Plateau Mont-Royal, 2017) and computer science (e.g., Method for producing contrast-controlled grayscale characters, 1998). The former focuses on cultural landscapes and tramway-era urbanization, while the latter investigates digital typography and perceptual font rendering.

His interdisciplinary approach bridges urban heritage conservation with computational methodologies, reflecting both academic rigor and professional practice.