Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Development Of A Sense Of Community In An Instant Town., Jennifer R. Herkes

Western Division, Canadian Association of Geographers

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 …