THE RURBAN FRINGE

Affordable and Appropriate Infrastructure

[ Rural communities want to survive ... and thrive.  That's why Paul Koch's article, Enhancing the Survivability of Your Rural Community, caught my eye as his list offers a number of steps communities can take to help ensure that they remain relevant and vibrant places to live.  With more than 35 years of experience working with various levels [...]

If You Build It, They Might Not Come

Communities struggling to maintain their economies often buy into the belief that if they build it, the people will come.  That is, by focusing on physical improvements, the hope is that consumers, businesses and investors will inevitably flock to town.  Viewed this way, the point is obvious, but many communities have implemented massive physical improvement projects thinking that their work [...]

Demolition Before Renewal

Like a gardener pruning his plants, sometimes you need to tear something down in order to make it better.
Not the whole thing, mind you, just the rotten parts. 
The boarded-up shopfronts, weedy yards, broken windows and sagging rooftops that blight a community’s landscape.
It’s an urban trend that’s finally trickling down to smaller cities and towns; poorly maintained buildings – [...]

The Importance of Lines & Signs

For community residents and visitors alike, having bright, visible street lines and attractive, easy-to-understand wayfinding signage is vital.
Take a moment to think about a community you visited recently … were the road lines clearly visible?  Did they help direct traffic (e.g. arrows, turning lane indications, etc.)?  Did you see directional signage for local facilities and civic services?
“Kill myself?  [...]

Round Three of P3 Canada Fund Launches

PPP Canada has just launched a Round Three call for proposals for the P3 Canada Fund, encouraging provinces, territories, municipalities and First Nations to consider the P3 model for their public infrastructure needs. 
PPP Canada’s mandate is to improve and increase the delivery of public infrastructure by achieving better value, timeliness and accountability to taxpayers, through P3s.  [...]

keep looking »