| Settlement | Code | Population Size | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Area | 0 | Not Applicable | Relatively few isolated homes if any and sparsely population (i.e., a population density less than 100 people/km2) | Most of the Annapolis Valley, West Paradise |
| Hamlet | 1 | < 250 | Small cluster of houses, typically lacks a compact core, few if any businesses (Density typically 100-300 people/km2) | Centrelea, Paradise, Granville Ferry, Margaretsville, Round Hill, Tupperville |
| Village | 2 | 500-1,500 | Variable in size, villages may have a discernable but limited business centre/core; typically smaller than towns, less complex economically (often lack bank & have limited business diversity) and offer fewer services.Density typically 300-500 people/km2 | Lawrencetown, Aylesford, Baddeck, Cambridge, Falmouth, Pugwash, Canning, Port Williams |
| Town | 3 | 1,500-7,500 | Larger than villages, usually include a full range of businesses and services in an obvious commercial core; can support many amenities attributed to cities such as museums, universities, multiple financial institutions etc. Density typically 300-500 people/km2 | Middleton, Wolfville, Windsor, Pictou, Antigonish, Shelburne, Digby, Lunenburg (Chester,Tatamagouche, Weymouth) |
| Large Town | 4 | 7,500-30,000 | Full size mall/big box stores, franchises, transit emergent but difficult; Density typically > 500 people/km2 | Truro/BibleHill, New Glasgow, Glace Bay, Amherst, Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Kentville/New Minas, Kingston/Greenwood |
| Small City | 5 | 30,000- 100,000 | Cities are larger than towns and more densely populated. Frequently cities merge with, or incorporate surrounding areas and often the centre of power mainly rests in the cities not towns.Regional airport. Small transit system. | Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Red Deer, Nanimo, Lethbridge, Peterborough, Kamloops, Sault Ste. Marie, Prince George, Bellville, Fort Mac, Grand Prairie, North Bay, Brandon, Cornwall |
| Medium Size City | 6 | 100,000-300,000 | More robust airport, museums, Costco? Symphony; Medical School; Not uncommon to have population density > 800 people/km2 | Thunder Bay, Moncton, St. John's, Saint John, Saskatoon, Regina, Barrie, Kelowna, Windsor, Guelph, Kingston, Sudbury |
| Large City | 7 | 300,000-1,000,000 | Signficant Airport; Multiple Universities; Cultural center (ballet/opera); Large Business HQ; Attract more multicultural/diversity, Ikea? | Edmonton,Winnipeg, Hamilton, Quebec, St. Catharines–Niagara, Victoria, London, Kitchener, Halifax, Oshawa |
| Metropolis | 8 | >1,000,000 | Major League Sport Franchises, Large Interanational Airport; LRT/Subway: Typically much Higher density (>1200 people/km2) | Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa |
Creative Food Movements are excellent ways of diversifying local tourism. Annual festivals that highlight and promote local products, chefs, restaurants, and collaboration amongst businesses are fundamental in sustaining a community food system and a healthy and ethical local economy. These communities attract and retain people who wish to leave the city behind in favour of a more rural, farm-to-table, lifestyle characteristic of an ever-growing creative food movement.
Click here to learn more
Farmer's markets are staples of rural life and often showcase the region's best in produce, meats, and dairy. These markets become an institution of the community and often support and promote local farmers and artisans.
Click here for more information
Communities often face enormous amounts of pressure in terms of employment, living standards, and services. Areas that once solely focused on struggling industries for survival are now finding other opportunities to create and sustain growth. Community development finincial institutions offer an escape from the barriers of economic exclusion, poverty, poor housing, and unsecure employment.
Click here to read more.
What were once vacant and neglected properties now have the oppurtunity to become beautifully restored private homes, affordable housing units, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, pubs, and restaurants. This becomes an attraction to people unhappy with urban life who crave culture and a community rich in heritage. See what Millenials are saying
Creating beautiful pieces of art and furniture from sustainably-grown trees is a continuously-growing industry that highlights and promotes the value and unique character of the tree itself. Using solely naturally felled, infected, or damaged trees for artistic purposes gives the wood new life and a new purpose, strengthening the bond between humankind and the forest.
Read about Windhorse Woods
The outports of Newfoundland have always been important for the health of the nation, the province, and their communities. Finding new ways to ensure their survival built on cultural and economic resilience brings hope and investment to these quaint, historical outports and the people that depend on them. Read more about this
Agricultural tourism offers city-dwellers, yearning for an escape from their fast-paced urban lives, an opportunity to reconnect with the Earth and experience an agrarian lifestyle. This offers prospects for generating and diversifying revenue for farmers who benefit from urnban tourists. See how it works
A strong perception of quality of place can be found almost anywhere. In rural communities, this can be their saviour when it comes to long-term viability. By embracing uniqueness, culture, arts, and heritage, rural communities can etch out a profitable existence in an age of modernity and urbanization. Read more
Trees that are naturally felled or are slated for removal to make way for urban expansion can indeed enjoy a new life as one-of-a-kind furniture pieces with a unique identity. Harvesting reclaimed urban trees is an increasingly popular, sustainable, and trendy way to promote a more responsible attitude towards nature. Giving these trees new life also encourages communication between arborists, artists, and their communities. Check it out on the 'Gram
Torjman (2007) suggests that shared places help to promote strong and vibrant communities because it helps to build resilient communities capable of prospering in times of adversity. By bringing together people, a foundation for engagement is provided whereby which people can find common understanding. From this engagement and understanding, we are able to work towards common goals to help further support and build stronger communities. Shared spaces present great opportunities for great discussion. (Torjman, S. (2007). Shared Space: The Communities Agenda. ON: The Caledon Institute of Social Policy) .
Explore this conceptThe concept of shared and public spaces is rooted in the notion of place. Whether it be the physical space in which we live or emotional place, place provides meaning and belonging in our daily lives. Places are the foundation upon which a network for people can be built. The importance of place takes significance when we think about well-being and development; quality of places and their attributes impacts our health, social cohesion, and economic welfare (Torjman, S. (2007). Shared Space: The Communities Agenda. ON: The Caledon Institute of Social Policy).
Explore this conceptThe purpose of shared spaces is to bring people together, they are a location whereby which human interaction occurs. The way a place is planned ultimately impacts community health as increased social activity helps to foster an environment of support, security and trust. The socio-spatial attributes associated with these places help create unique spaces for community gatherings. Regardless of their size or geometry, public spaces serve as a means of community development and social development creating and reinforcing social bonds among people. (Friedman, A. (2014). Planning Small and Mid-Sized Towns. NY: Routledge).
Explore this concept
