Supporting social sustainability in resource‐based communities through leisure and recreation

Abstract

AbstractCommunity development can be conceptualized as a balance that exists amongst environmental, economic, and social systems; this achievement, however, is difficult for communities undergoing rapid urban development. In particular, resource‐based communities (RBCs) that develop as a result of investment into the extraction of a natural resource such as oil and gas have been found to experience uneven economic development, environmental degradation, and social instability. A contributing factor to social instability in RBCs is the reliance on a large transient workforce drawn to the area in search of employment opportunities and the inability to provide this burgeoning population with sufficient urban infrastructure and services. Building on previous research that theorized the key to increasing the sustainability of RBCs is to retain a permanent population, this research explores the contribution that opportunities for leisure and recreation makes to resident retention. Using Fort McMurray, Alberta as a case study, results indicate that among a group of people who lack established social ties, the main source of social interaction is participation in leisure and recreation activities. However, traditional activities associated with leisure and recreation did not take into account the unique challenges found in RBCs indicating an adaptable approach to provision is necessary.