Description
Currently, resource towns in British Columbia are facing changes and are dealing with the challenges of restructuring, diversification, and sustainability. In order to overcome these challenges, communities must demonstrate capacity: the ability to come together to overcome challenges and change. Community capacity depends on the development of social cohesion among other things. Social cohesion, in turn, is developed through interaction. However, interaction is structured by many factors including place and social characteristics, either of which can inhibit or encourage interaction. This presentation outlines work for my master's thesis. Through a triangulated approach using focus groups and interviews, supplemented by GIS techniques, the research will identify the specific factors of place and identification that structure interaction and the development of a sense of community. With a better understanding of what encourages and prohibits interaction and the development of a sense of community, we can work to develop policies and plans that allow for the development of structures that encourage interaction and minimized those that inhibit it.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Community development--Social aspects--British Columbia; Sustainable development--Social aspects--British Columbia; Company towns--Social aspects--British Columbia;
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Place, Community, Nature
Genre/Form
conference proceedings
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
British Columbia
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
community capacity, social cohesion, interaction, place, identification
Included in
Development of a sense of community in an instant town.
Currently, resource towns in British Columbia are facing changes and are dealing with the challenges of restructuring, diversification, and sustainability. In order to overcome these challenges, communities must demonstrate capacity: the ability to come together to overcome challenges and change. Community capacity depends on the development of social cohesion among other things. Social cohesion, in turn, is developed through interaction. However, interaction is structured by many factors including place and social characteristics, either of which can inhibit or encourage interaction. This presentation outlines work for my master's thesis. Through a triangulated approach using focus groups and interviews, supplemented by GIS techniques, the research will identify the specific factors of place and identification that structure interaction and the development of a sense of community. With a better understanding of what encourages and prohibits interaction and the development of a sense of community, we can work to develop policies and plans that allow for the development of structures that encourage interaction and minimized those that inhibit it.