An Urban Common On Gananoque’s Waterfront

Abstract

As rural waterfront economies in Ontario transition from industrial manufacturing to leisure tourism, public infrastructure is often misaligned with the needs of permanent residents. This thesis investigates how an urban common can respond to the intermittency and privatization of Ontario small-town waterfronts. It proposes that reprogramming underutilized industrial land through strategic design interventions and localized tactics can create an inclusive, year-round public realm that supports both residents and visitors. Gananoque, Ontario, serves as a testing ground, where seasonal tourism, an aging population, increasing privatization, and underused land generate social and spatial imbalance. Through a design-led methodology, this research develops a framework for integrating seasonal economies with permanent civic infrastructure. The resulting masterplan demonstrates how small towns can accommodate growth, reinforce local identity, and transform waterfronts from seasonal destinations into resilient urban common supporting diverse users throughout the year.