Oral Abstract Details

Author(s):
Lorraine A. Nicol

Affiliation:
University of Lethbridge

Presentation Type:
Oral

Topic Area:
The relationship(s) between land-use policies and ecological processes/disturbances along urban-rural interfaces

Abstract Text:
ABSTRACT Path Dependence, Critical Junctures Theory and Urban-Rural Planning: A Water Sharing Case Study By Lorraine A. Nicol In 2006, seventeen municipalities in southern Alberta embarked on a bold initiative to develop a coordinated approach to land use planning to the year 2075. Under the umbrella of the Calgary Regional Partnership, the group ventured into new and untested territory. The territory was also highly conflict ridden with resentment building over decades when the provinces’ Regional Planning Commissions endowed large, urban municipalities virtual veto over the urban-rural development agenda. Despite this history, the municipalities persevered and after almost three years of work, the Calgary Regional Plan (CRP) was unveiled. The key feature of the CRP was the inclusion of density targets that would reduce “urban sprawl” and manage resources ecologically. Water management was critical to the CRP, which envisioned a sharing of water license capacity among member communities on a regional basis. The CRP represented a major breakthrough in water management in the province and a unique situation where water would be moving from the water-rich city of Calgary, to rural users. Unexpectedly, at a meeting of the general assembly of Calgary Regional Partnership members in mid 2009, three rural municipalities voted against the CRP, primarily due to the three’s opposition to density targets contained in the CRP and the proposed voting structure. At that meeting the Reeve of one of those RM’s delivered a blunt message: “…it is clear that there is hangover amongst the CRP partners about old attitudes. The old rural versus urban clichés that have for so long created conflict instead of cooperation between neighboring municipalities continues to rear their ugly heads” (CRP General Assembly June, 19, 2009). Despite the disapproval by these three members, the CRP was submitted to the Government of Alberta for a ruling. This ruling is expected in March, 2010, and will either impose the CRP on the region, or force the Calgary Regional Partnership members back to the table to resolve the outstanding issues. This situation represents a fruitful case study for the employment of path dependence and critical junctures theory. Comparing the views, attitudes and behavior of those municipalities opposed to the plan relative to those who support it, the study will be based on Paul Pierson’s observation that: “Particular courses of action, once introduced, can be virtually impossible to reverse; and consequently, political development is often punctuated by critical moments or junctures that shape the basis contours of social life” (Pierson 2000: 251). While existing planning documents trace the decision-making process to date, this research case study will also analyse the dynamics of the ongoing CRP process as it continues to unfold. At this early stage in this research program, this paper will provide a literature review of path dependence and critical junctures theory and its application which ultimately will help inform a more in-depth program of research.