Abstract - Draft

I think I've finally got this strong enough to bear criticism without me breaking down in tears, so it's time to post it. Been tinkering with it for too long. Any comments are of course welcome.

Abstract

Kamloops is one of many Canadian cities faced with excessive Urban Sprawl. Its relatively low population is spread over vast tracts of land, resulting in greatly increased infrastructure requirements, severely limited transportation options, and a general loss of civic identity.

When Kamloops was incorporated at the turn of the twentieth century, lack of transportation and services forced almost all development to occur in what is now the Downtown area. As automobiles became widely available, development pushed outward in all directions. While this expansion allowed for the city to grow quickly, it also created many problems. Much of the population of Kamloops lives in suburbs on the outskirts of town. The suburbanites of Kamloops must rely on their cars to reach the city amenities, which results in a higher emission of carbon gases, and a larger amount of traffic deaths. As well, these suburbs have been designed primarily for vehicles, discouraging pedestrian traffic and with it, community involvement.

Though the problem of Urban Sprawl is by no means unique to Kamloops or Canada, there are many countries that have not felt the effects of automobile focused development as strongly. European cities, built long before the advent of the automobile, have on average much denser populations and much more effective transportation networks than their Canadian counterparts. The city of Bruges, Belgium for example, has a population similar to Kamloops, with over twice the density. As well, Bruges enjoys an extensive bus, light rail, and cycling network vastly superior to Kamloops. Further, Bruges has achieved this while still preserving the historic character of the city, resulting in a highly desirable living environment.

This report will compare the Urban Sprawl situation in Kamloops to that of Bruges. It will discuss the different methods that Bruges used to maintain high density, and create a more attractive and productive city. These ideas and methods will then be related to Kamloops, to determine which if any should be implemented.

The main methods which will be discussed within this report include creating higher density buildings within the downtown regions of the city, creating pedestrian friendly environments, and promoting healthy, alternative methods of transportation. Smart growth boundaries and the elimination of strip malls and community subdivisions will also be discussed further within this report.

Planning Outline - Redux

Project:

Research the methods and features of Bruges, Belgium used to prevent urban sprawl, and determine which if any could be effectively implemented in Kamloops.

Methods:

1. Research the current state of Kamloops, the conditions contributing to urban sprawl, and how sprawl affects the sustainability of a city.

2. Find information on Bruges, Belgium and what methods they have implemented to reduce urban sprawl, and how those changes altered the community.

3. Apply this information to Kamloops. This will mean more information about Kamloops and its neighborhoods will be needed, and professionals in the planning area will be contacted.

Special Problems:

1. Will the cultural differences between Belgium and Canada affect the implementation sprawl reduction techniques?

2. What metric should be used to rank the effectiveness of the methods researched and the weight of their consequences?

3. Can travel be arranged to Belgium to gather first-hand research without prohibitive expense?

4. Can the language barrier be overcome for interviews with professionals in Belgium?

Graphics

Seeking Suggestions

Hey, all. It's time to select a town to base my report on. We are looking for a European town with a population similar to Kamloops', but with a greater population density. Towns that have preserved their character and not become grimy industrial centres are best. So far I'm looking at Bruges, Belgium, but I'm looking for as many options as possible. Help me out?

Planning Outline

Project:

Research the methods used by small towns in Europe to prevent urban sprawl, and determine which can and should be implemented in Kamloops.

Methods:

1. Research the current state of Kamloops, the conditions contributing to urban sprawl, and how sprawl affects the sustainability of a city.

2. Find information on specific European towns and what methods they have implemented to reduce urban sprawl, and how those changes altered the community.

3. Apply this information to Kamloops. This will mean more information about Kamloops and its neighborhoods will be needed, and professionals in the planning area will be contacted.

Special Problems:

1. Will the cultural differences between European cities and Canadian cities affect the implementation sprawl reduction techniques?

2. Should the report focus on cost effectiveness, or overall effectiveness?

3. Should many European towns be used, or should a single town be examined?

Also:

Some methods may need to be excluded because there is no feasible way they could be implemented in Kamloops.

Hello out there, welcome to my blog. Make yourself at home.

The goal of this blog, and the ensuing research paper, is to develop recommendations to combat urban sprawl in Kamloops. I'll be looking at how Kamloops stacks up against other areas, the benefits and drawbacks of increased density, and at similarly populous towns and cities which have been successful in reducing or preventing sprawl.

Please feel free to post with any suggestions or references you may have.