MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES AT RISK: A CASE STUDY OF GATEWAY COMMUNITY GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND RESORT DEVELOPMENT By Darwin Glen Homing B.Sc. DeVry University, 1988 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA December 2004 © Darwin Glen Homing, 2004 Library and Bibliothèque et 1 ^ 1 Archives Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l'édition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 0-494-04638-4 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 0-494-04638-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library permettant à la Bibliothèque et Archives and Archives Canada to reproduce,Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve,sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par télécommunication ou par l'Internet, prêter, telecommunication or on the Internet,distribuer et vendre des thèses partout dans loan, distribute and sell theses le monde, à des fins commerciales ou autres, worldwide, for commercial or non­ sur support microforme, papier, électronique commercial purposes, in microform,et/ou autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Canada ABSTRACT With the decline of the resource extraction industries many rural gateway communities in western Canada are attempting to capitalize on their pristine environment locations. This research analysed the ability of the local governments of Golden, Femie and Canmore to manage growth associated with large-scale resort development. The ability to encourage and manage sustainable development was assessed in terms of policy formulation and implementation within an adaptive management framework. The goal of the growth management strategies is to achieve sustainable communities through ecological, economical, cultural and social sustainability. Through globalization, local governments of gateway communities are experiencing similar growth related pressures and challenges. This research will add to the body of knowledge required by these gateway communities to retain their local history and unique character in the face of rapid growth brought on by large-scale resort development. Mountain Communities at Risk: A case study of gateway community growth management and resort development. 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................. ii Table of Contents ........................................................................................ iii List of Figures ..................................................... vi List of Tables ...................................................................................... vi Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1 - Introduction B ackground Information ......................................................................................... 1 Research Framework .............................................................................................. 5 Problem Statement ........................................................ 6 Importance of Project .............................................................................................. 8 Chapter Summaries .................................................................................................. 11 Chapter 1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2 Sustainable Development and the Evolution Towards Adaptive Management ............................................ 12 Chapter 3 Resort Development and Gateway Communities; Case Study Design.............................................................................. 13 Chapter 4 Emerging Gateway Community Characteristics .................................. 14 Chapter 5 Gateway Community Capacity Analysis ............................................ 15 Chapter 6 Opportunities and Recommendations ..................................... 16 Chapter 7 Conclusion ................... 17 Chapter 2 - Sustainable Development: An Adaptive Management Model Introduction ....................................... 18 Sustainable Development ........................................ 19 Development .......................................... 19 Sustainability......................................................................................................... 20 Sustainable Development ...................................................................................... 23 Sustainable Tourism Development ........................................................................ 29 Local Government Policy Development Context ................................................. 31 Adaptive Management ........................................................................................... 36 Resort and Tourism Development Impacts ........................................................... 42 Consequences of Resort Development: A Comparative Study ............................. 51 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 3 - Research Design Introduction ............................................................................................................. 57 Research Premise ..................................................................................................... 58 Conceptual Research Framework .......................................... 61 l.Infmmation Capture ......................................................................................... 63 Mountain Communities at Risk: A case study o f gateway community growth management and resort development. m 2. Information Analysis ......................................................................................... 65 3. Information Reported ........................................................................................ 66 4. Explanation-Theory ......................................................................................... 66 Qualitative Research ................................................................................................ 67 Case Study Research............................................................................................... 68 Case Study Design................................................................................................... 69 Construct Validity................................................................................................. 70 Internal Validity.................................................................................................... 70 External V alidity ................................................ 71 Reliability...................... 71 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 71 Chapter 4 - Case Study Characteristics Introduction .................................................................................................. 73 Golden, British Columbia ................................ 74 1. Location ............................................................................................................ 74 2. History.............................................................................................................. 75 3. Governance Information ....................................................................... 76 4. Demographic Information ................................................................................. 77 5. Economic Information and Trends .................................................................... 78 6. Unique Characteristics ........................................... 79 7. Adj acent Resort Information ............................................................................. 80 Fernie, British Columbia ........................................................................................ 81 1. Location ............... 81 2. History.............................................................................................................. 81 3. Governance Information ................................................................................... 82 4. Demographic Information ...............................................................................