A Reason to Stay: Architecture to Diminish the Trend of Rural to Urban Migration

Abstract

This thesis examines how the design of a creative hub can stitch together disconnected elements of a rural community. Nova Scotia was once comprised of rural self-sustaining communities that thrived because of the industries located within them. As the industries shut down, the amount of local work was reduced; forcing residents to relocate, commute or work from home. A significant geographic separation between “work”, “live” and “recreation” leads to unhealthy lifestyles, and rural bedroom communities where residents spend their daily lives elsewhere. This proposed creative hub structure will provide collaborative spaces and resources for entrepreneurs and creators, to diminish the trend of rural to urban migration. The general program is “a place to create” while the exact program will be dependent on the location of the building. The architectural prototype will be designed for the specific context of Hantsport, Nova Scotia but remain adaptable to other rural communities.