ABCD in Canada

In the past, rural communities across Canada depended on settlers to build infrastructure, institutions, businesses, and housing so communities could thrive. Fast forward 100 years and rural communities are now looking to re-imagine themselves in the face of changing demographics, resource industries disappearing, radical changes in technology, and centralized government services. Learn how small, rural, and remote communities along the east shore of Kootenay Lake in BC brought residents together using an ABCD approach.

Traditional models of housing services are that they are responsible for social housing programs and property management of houses. But what if we changed the purpose of housing services so that they build a sense of community and support the development of neighbourhood plans? This is what Coordinators at the Lakeview Harbourside neighbourhood have been working on for the past year as members of Cities Deepening Community. This case study explores the role of the Coordinators and how they shifted away from doing for residents to supporting residents to do for themselves.