A Greenway System Approach to Developing A Linked Amenity Network in Rural Ontario
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Abstract
As rural economies restructure due to a shift in demographic, social, and economic development, communities face significant challenges in promoting and encouraging continued economic growth. Rural communities are implementing tourismbased development strategies, marketing natural resources, culture, and history as amenity for creating tourist destinations. For many, tourism is seasonal and not a stable revitalization strategy. This study explores an integrative approach to greenway system design that supports a purposeful, amenity-linked network and quality of life attributes as a strategy for rural revitalization. A design framework was formulated from secondary data and then applied to a case study site. Key evaluators determined through selection criteria, provided an evaluation of the applied framework and design outcome. Results indicate how the application of an integrative landscape-based approach increases the attractiveness of rural communities to new residents, contributing to a revitalization strategy. Landscape architects can guide the future of rural landscapes towards heightening the quality of place and desirability of rural areas.