Building Resiliency into a Resource-Based Community

A significant number of isolated, resource-based communities are scattered across Canada. The development of these communities revolves around a relationship between localized resource extraction and non-localized, market capital flows. Given the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the marketplace, the ability of such communities to grow and prosper is largely determined by external factors. This thesis looks to recast and stabilize the economy of Nakusp, a community located in the interior of British Columbia, through the introduction of new programming and a phased community masterplan. The design proposal is influenced by the context of rural development within the province, successful programming precedents, and planning precedents in other communities. A node and pathway relationship in the town establishes a network of interdependency among new and existing areas. This urban plan aims to build a level of resiliency into the community's future growth.