Sustainability Issues in Rural-Urban Partnerships: A Study on Regional and Inter-municipal Collaborations between some Southern Alberta Municipalities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine impacts of rural-urban and inter-municipal partnerships in finding suitable solution(s) to rural municipalities’ environmental problems. The study also evaluated how involvements in collaborative partnerships affect the effectiveness of participating municipal governments in fulfilling their social service responsibilities. Moreover, the study examined necessary conditions for sustainable and enduring voluntary regional and inter-municipal collaborations. The study was based on qualitative research paradigm. Seven municipalities in Southern Alberta were involved in the study. Overall, the study revealed that municipalities involved in regional and/or inter-municipal partnerships fared better socio-economically than those that were never involved. It also revealed the need for maintenance of trust and effective management of the cost of involvement. It was discovered that sense of common destiny/identity including identification of potential partnering opportunities is essential for sustainable regional collaboration. It was also discovered that sustainable regional partnership requires an establishment of framework for identifying priorities and for reaching agreement on action to be taken. Provincial/federal policies and incentives that encourage collaboration are also essential for successful voluntary rural-urban communities’ partnerships.