A Multi-Asalar Analysis of the Otago Central Rail Trail
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‘Rural Restructuring’: A Multi-Scalar Analysis of the Otago Central Rail Trail. _____________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Science at Lincoln University by O. Dowsett _____________________ Lincoln University 2008 ii Abstract Abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of M.Soc.Sci. ‘Rural Restructuring’: A Multi-Scalar Analysis of the Otago Central Rail Trail. By O. Dowsett ‘Rural restructuring’ has frequently been used to indicate the magnitude, and conceptualise the nature, of contemporary change in the countryside. Most notably, concern has focused upon the fundamental changes in economic and social organisation brought about by the increasing leverage of consumption-based activity as a path to rural development. By drawing on the relevant literature, however, I suggest in this thesis that the use of ‘rural restructuring’ as a conceptual framework has been inconsistent. The issue of scale is a case in point with scholars positioning their studies of rural change at varying levels of analysis. In response, I adopt Massey’s (2004) arguments about space and place to present an alternative model which considers ‘rural restructuring’ as a multi-scalar and mutually constitutive process. To explore the feasibility of approaching ‘rural restructuring’ in this way, the thesis focuses, in particular, upon the development of rural tourism at five different scales. These comprise the national scale (New Zealand), the regional scale (Central Otago), the sub-regional scale (the Otago Central Rail Trail), the business scale (five business case studies) and the individual scale (five entrepreneurial case studies). Reflecting the exploratory nature of the study and its multi-scalar approach, I use a number of qualitative research methods. These include interrogating the promotion of New Zealand and Central Otago as tourist destinations, cycling along the Otago Central Rail Trail, staying at accommodation businesses along the Rail Trail, and interviewing individual entrepreneurs about their experiences of business development. iii The analytical chapters of the thesis comprise an in-depth look at the promotion or experience of rural tourism development at each scale of analysis. Through identifying inter-scale consistencies and emphasising the reciprocal basis of such consistency, I present ‘rural restructuring’ as a multi-scalar and mutually constitutive process. Thus, I connect the national-scale targeting of the ‘interactive traveller’ to the promotion of Central Otago as a ‘World of Discovery’, before linking the development of the Otago Central Rail Trail to its regional context. I then investigate the nature of business development as intimately bound to the evolution of the Rail Trail, before finally tying these entrepreneurial creations to individual accounts of exhaustion and enjoyment that emerge from the operation of tourism businesses. The thesis ends by concluding that ‘rural restructuring’ can indeed be considered a multi-scalar and mutually constitutive process, worked out simultaneously at wide-ranging but interconnected levels of change. Keywords: Rural restructuring, multi-scalar, mutual constitution, tourism development, New Zealand, Central Otago, Otago Central Rail Trail, rural entrepreneurialism, rural lifestyles. iv Acknowledgements Thanks must especially go to my supervisor, Harvey Perkins. I genuinely feel that without your personal support, academic insight, and immutable enthusiasm, I would not have progressed beyond Middlemarch. Your guidance is fully appreciated. I leave you with the knowledge that I will continue to dispel ten irrational fears each day until such fears no longer exist. Thank you also to my associate supervisor, David Fisher, for your helpful advice regarding this thesis. This study could not have been completed without the participation of Bill and Maureen Theyers, Ngaire Sutherland and Michelle Taylor, Shirley and Malcolm Hodge, Graeme Duncan, and Nikki and Ralph Milne. Your willingness to discuss business development along the Rail Trail not only provides the basis upon which this thesis stands but has also left me with a wonderful impression of the people of New Zealand. I thank you all for your assistance and hospitality. Throughout the year, I have depended upon the financial support provided by Lincoln University. This took the form of regular endowments from the Scholarship Office. Thank you to Jane Edwards in particular. On this note, I would not have studied in New Zealand if it were not for the trust invested in me by the Selection Committee of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. Thank you for this belief. I would also like to thank the Environment, Society and Design Division for the research funding that was made available for this project. Douglas Broughton has been especially helpful in ensuring financial reimbursement. Finally, my parents have, as ever, been inspiring figures throughout the last year. Despite having the whole world between us, your patience and understanding have ensured the completion of this thesis. I am eternally grateful for the immeasurable encouragement and motivation that you continue to provide. v Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements...............................................................................................................iv Contents................................................................................................................................. v List of Figures......................................................................................................................vii List of Tables......................................................................................................................viii 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 ‘Rural Restructuring’.................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Outline of Thesis.......................................................................................................... 3 2. Three Approaches to ‘Rural Restructuring’ ........................................................................ 6 2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Structural Interpretations of ‘Rural Restructuring’........................................................ 7 2.2.1 Political-Economy................................................................................................. 7 2.2.2 From Productivism to Post-Productivism............................................................... 8 2.2.3 Rurality and Consumption ................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 Masking Heterogeneity Part I .............................................................................. 11 2.3 ‘Rural Restructuring’ and Place Specificity ................................................................ 13 2.3.1 Accounting for Diverse Development Paths......................................................... 13 2.3.2 The Notion of Culture-Economy.......................................................................... 14 2.3.3 The Commodification of Place ............................................................................ 15 2.3.4 Masking Heterogeneity Part II............................................................................. 17 2.4 Lifestyle Analyses of ‘Rural Restructuring’................................................................ 18 2.4.1 Experience and Agency ....................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Farm-Level Diversification.................................................................................. 19 2.4.3 Entrepreneurs in the Countryside......................................................................... 20 2.4.4 A Digression Too Far?......................................................................................... 22 2.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 23 2.5.1 A Brief Recap...................................................................................................... 23 2.5.2 Re-Conceptualising Space and Place ................................................................... 25 2.5.3 Developing an Alternative Model of ‘Rural Restructuring’.................................. 28 3. Research Methodology..................................................................................................... 31 3.1 Aims and Objectives .................................................................................................. 31 3.2 Research Questions .................................................................................................... 33 3.3 A Chronological Account of the Research Process ..................................................... 35 3.3.1 Exploring............................................................................................................. 35 3.3.2 Sharpening .......................................................................................................... 36 3.3.3 Interviewing