1. Am I Welcome in This Space? A Case Study on Cultural Ecosystem Services Provided by Rural Greenspace And their Implications for Social Cohesion & Equity in Nova Scotia.
- Author
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Lavallée, Sarah and Warner, Alan
- Subjects
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SOCIAL attitudes , *SOCIAL impact , *RURAL population , *ECOSYSTEM services , *CODES of ethics , *SMALL cities - Abstract
This case study of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, used narrative inquiry to (a) examine the role of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from rural greenspace interaction on the health, wellbeing, and social inclusion of underrepresented populations; (b) identify specific factors that may contribute to CES in rural greenspace; and (c) explore the differences in rural greenspace experiences between the four population groups in this rural, small-town, Canadian context. Although originally part of a larger study on community resilience, this article focuses on the social and equity-related findings that are lacking in the greenspace planning literature and are applicable to other rural Canadian towns. Four participant groups from underrepresented populations in Wolfville (youth, university students, individuals with disabilities, and seniors) participated in a series of focus groups and participant-generated photography and audio-narrative methods. These methods were chosen to increase engagement from groups that are often under-consulted in community planning and decision-making. The findings suggest that although greenspace has important implications for increasing social cohesion, equity, and health and wellbeing in Wolfville and other rural Canadian municipalities, the benefits of CES are not equitably distributed across population groups. Participant interactions in local greenspace varied depending on age and ability, largely due to societal attitudes that impacted whether residents felt welcome or able to access greenspace. Three specific factors were identified which may contribute to CES in rural greenspace: an implicit code of conduct that facilitates positive social encounters, the inclusion of diverse cultural beliefs and worldviews in greenspace infrastructure and available activities, and increasing opportunities for community co-design of local greenspace. Recommendations are provided for rural communities to improve the equitable distribution of CES provided by local greenspace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024