Nichols, Kristian D. H., "The Old Northern Suburb: Perpetuation of Perceptual Boundaries"

The development of the Old Northern Suburb, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Halifax, has been influenced by the values, ideas and attitudes associated with perceptual boundaries. Planning has helped to perpetuate perceptual boundaries since the suburb's inception. Planning for inner-city neighbourhoods such as the Old Northern Suburb requires special attention. This attention, determined by perceptual boundaries, has influenced opportunities for the area.

The history of the Old Northern Suburb is researched from the Master Plan of 1945 to the present. Indications are that perceptual boundaries supported ideologically have been expressed socially, physically, economically, politically and institutionally throughout this time period. Perceptual boundaries are evident to some degree in any neighbourhood, but are interpreted differently, thus the challenge is not to prove that such boundaries exist, rather, the challenge is for planners to take cognizance of these perceptions. The final chapter deals with the manifestations of these perceptual boundaries, how planners may deal with their existence and how planners may be effective in working towards eradicating the negative effects of perceptual boundaries.

Atlantic Planners Institute

This page and all contents are produced by the Atlantic Planners Institute, an affiliate of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

This document was last modified on January 3, 2001.