The New Local: A Food and Housing Network for Immigrant Integration in Drummondville, Quebec

Many industries in the regional areas of the province are currently under enormous labor shortages due to their aging populations and turn to recent immigrants to fill jobs. Immigrants typically have a strong desire to join an urban workforce, but how can architecture facilitate their integration and social acceptance in small towns? Could this housing take part in a bigger revitalization project initiated by the municipality? This thesis explores different locations looking for new economic generators and will explore Drummondville, or more specifically, its Saint-Joseph neighbourhood, as a study site.This thesis will examine design solutions for housing and other programs that work as social incubators within the neighbourhood fabric. Food industries, like growing and cooking, can readily provide sources of income to immigrants and help to shape socialization via daily interactions. Hence, by what means can architecture contribute the nourishment of these new people and places?