Rural Community Sustainability: Research, Applications, and Engagement in Calumet, Michigan
Dr. Richelle Winkler
Assistant Professor of Sociology & Demography
Environmental and Energy Policy Program
Department of Social Sciences
Michigan Technological University
Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar
Monday, February 25, 2013 3:00-4:00 PM
Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), room 201
Rural communities across the United States and around the world have long suffered from diseconomies of scale and dependence upon an exported extractive resource base to outside interests in more urban locations. Most of our rural communities are in decline demographically, economically, and socially. They face unique challenges and opportunities in the context of an increasingly “flat” and globalized world. My research aims to understand how rural communities transition from a legacy of resource dependence and population decline toward vibrant sustainable futures. What are these challenges and opportunities and how can they be overcome?
This presentation will explore the concept of rural community sustainability and describe ways in which the natural resource/economic base in rural communities is related to age-specific migration patterns. Then, I will focus on a new project underway in Calumet, MI that specifically investigates community efforts toward sustainability in this community with a legacy of natural resource dependence. Taking a community based research approach, I am engaging with community groups to investigate the potential for redevelopment focused on alternative energies, including solar and mine water geothermal.
Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar
Monday, February 25, 2013 3:00-4:00 PM
Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), room 201
Rural communities across the United States and around the world have long suffered from diseconomies of scale and dependence upon an exported extractive resource base to outside interests in more urban locations. Most of our rural communities are in decline demographically, economically, and socially. They face unique challenges and opportunities in the context of an increasingly “flat” and globalized world. My research aims to understand how rural communities transition from a legacy of resource dependence and population decline toward vibrant sustainable futures. What are these challenges and opportunities and how can they be overcome?
This presentation will explore the concept of rural community sustainability and describe ways in which the natural resource/economic base in rural communities is related to age-specific migration patterns. Then, I will focus on a new project underway in Calumet, MI that specifically investigates community efforts toward sustainability in this community with a legacy of natural resource dependence. Taking a community based research approach, I am engaging with community groups to investigate the potential for redevelopment focused on alternative energies, including solar and mine water geothermal.
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