Drolet, J. P. Paul, "The Relationship Between Physical Planning and Community Economic Growth: A Case Study of Bypassed Communities in Rural Nova Scotia - Tatamagouche/Parrsboro; Truro/Stewiacke"

There are strong indications that transportation and socioeconomic development are closely interrelated. Transportation and communication, as a result of their tangible and intangible effects, have very important socioeconomic functions. A given quantity and quality of transportation and communication is thus an indicator of socioeconomic development, reflecting its level in a country or region.

There existed a myth among many planners that the provision of highways or the improving of networks would categorically result in an improved economic climate for all communities that happened to fall along its course. Many transport systems like our own in Nova Scotia have been in existence for almost thirty years and studies after the fact are beginning to raise concerns over the full range of advantages versus the more recently acknowledged disadvantages.

This research concludes that the provision of major =sport networks can have wide-ranging economic repercussions for communities whether located within easy access of the new thoroughfare or well beyond easy access to it. The provision of a transportation benefit can have the effect of altering local economies. Trading areas broaden and, in certain cases, begin to overlap. Shopping patterns begin to change and encompass longer distances for preferred goods. Local labour forces no longer become static but quite mobile, commuting greater distances for better paying jobs. Rural communities where mainstreet businesses constitute an important local economic pulse are particularly affected as the foci of economic activity are redefined.

This study reveals that serviced or "on-line communities" are likely to experience negative impacts along with more remote, unserviced communities (referred to as "off-line communities"). The severity of these negative impacts appears to be in proportion to the community's ability to compete with other trading centres, to maintain high levels of economic output, and in its capacity to provide a variety of job opportunities at competitive wages.

The research further concludes that given the most recent observations, efforts must be undertaken at the initial transport planning stage that will provide a balance of economic benefits. Planners can no longer proceed on the premise that transport and regional economic growth policies can be pursued independently and irrespectively of each other. The union of the two policies in an integrated framework is essential for the success of both the policies and their objectives.

This study concludes that beyond a reexamination of the governments motives for constructing new, major road networks, one measure of "balancing the benefits" might be found in a provincial commitment to community planning.

Atlantic Planners Institute

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This document was last modified on January 3, 2001.