Population Attraction Archives

Urban-Rural Divide Widens in Sweden

The urban-rural divide is as real in Sweden today as it is in British Columbia, and North America generally. The Nordic country’s cities continue to grow and develop, while rural communities shrink and unravel. “Young people are moving away, and that carries with it disastrous consequences,” says Charlotte Mellander, professor of national economy at the…

Attracting Young People to Rural Communities

Attracting young people is one of the toughest challenges facing rural communities. The outflow of young people from rural to urban hits small towns and rural regions in a variety of ways, including stripping communities of badly needed tax revenue, threatening the viability of local schools, depressing local and regional economies, and stripping fraying towns…

Café Culture Comes to Rural Ontario

Café culture stirs the pot in rural Bath One of the first things young people look for when considering a move from an urban centres to a rural setting is the availability of great places to eat & drink. When Lauren Gamble returned to rural Ontario after working in Australia for a number of…

Small Town, Big Change

Small town, big change. Dale Williams was mayor of the small rural North Island New Zealand town of Otorohanga (pop. 2,700), and Chair of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs. A certified motorcycle engineer by trade, Dale has first-hand experience launching and growing successful motorcycle dealerships and training young people through apprenticeship programs. Passionate about helping…

Creative Placemaking, Attracting Young People to Rural Places

Creative placemaking an effective way to attract young people

Creative placemaking: what is it, and can it serve as an effective toolkit for rural communities wanting to attract young people? Attracting and keeping younger adults is a challenge that many small cities and towns face. Zachary Mannheimer bucked the trend that sees so many younger folks settling in major urban centres. After a 22-city…

“Overtourism” Protests Spreading Throughout Europe

Rural BC communities seeking to reinvent their formerly resource-based economies, communities that happen to be located in beautiful areas — so-called “high amenity” places — face a unique challenge. In many cases these communities have turned to tourism as a means of revitalizing the local economic scene. The idea is straightforward enough: more tourists means…

Newcomer Engagement in Ontario Report

When newcomers and other community residents enjoy mutually beneficial relationships, rural communities are more likely to be healthy. The Rural Ontario Institute recently released a report, Newcomer Engagement and Social Capital in Rural Communities, that explores how rural communities are engaging newcomers in their civic life. Newcomer Engagement and Social Capital in Rural Communities examines…

Rural Youth Engagement Showcase

In this brief video produced by the Rural Ontario Institute, we’re introduced to Emily Morrison, a young woman working to break the cycle of youth unemployment in rural communities.

all that jazz… a conversation with Paul Hinrichs

All those mountains, and all that jazz… For over 25 years, the tiny West Kootenay village of Kaslo has played host to one of the world’s most celebrated outdoor music festivals. USA Today has called the Kaslo Jazz Festival “one of the 10 best places in the world to enjoy outdoor music in the…

Dr. Laurie Moss on rural population attraction

We ask Dr, Laurie Moss to explain rural population attraction in this video Dr. Moss is uniquely qualified to tackle this question. The co-founder of the International Amenity Migration Centre, he has spent decades studying individuals and businesses that move from major centres to rural communities. And what happens when they do.