Overview
The Rural Revitalization course provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary suite of learning resources for anyone who is interested in learning how to use the themes of; Heritage Resources Management, Community Health, Business Diversification, Learning from the Land, Regenerative Design, Equity Diversity and Inclusion, in isolation or as an entire toolset to support growth and change in towns and villages across the provinces. Content for this course has been carefully researched and validated by working directly with four communities in Alberta. The intent is to support communities to find unique solutions to create a built environment that is safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and economically diverse and viable.
This course reinforces your learning outcomes with a summary Artificial Intelligence (AI) interactive story where you will act as a manager of planning for a town and work with stakeholders of the town to create a design competition intended to create a public space where all are welcome.
This course is made possible through a grant from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.
Graduates of this course will possess a well-rounded skill set, enabling them to contribute positively to the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of rural communities. They will be equipped to navigate the complexities of community development, recognizing the interconnectedness of various elements for holistic and sustainable outcomes.
Holistic Integration of Knowledge:
- Foster a respectful understanding of Indigenous teachings and perspectives, incorporating Indigenous research methodologies into practices related to the built environment.
- Apply this knowledge to enhance housing design and community development, aligning with global sustainability goals and eco-centric design principles.
Heritage Resources and Community Revitalization:
- Recognize and preserve the significance of heritage resources, understanding their role in shaping unique rural histories and stories.
- Evaluate how effective heritage resources management contributes to the regeneration and vibrancy of rural communities.
Comprehensive Approach to Community Health:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of rural health terminology and key concepts.
- Implement community-led and preventive approaches to address health issues, utilizing case study examples to inform real-world solutions.
Strategies for Economic Diversification:
- Recognize the pivotal role of real estate in rural economic recovery and sustainable development.
- Explore community economic development initiatives and assess their impact on achieving sustainable economic growth in rural areas.
Regenerative Design Thinking:
- Understand the importance and impact of regenerative design on the environment and human life.
- Apply regenerative design principles to both existing and new projects, considering the broader benefits and potential challenges.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Planning:
- Develop a nuanced understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the context of rural communities.
- Apply EDI principles to create inclusive public spaces, engaging with diverse stakeholders to promote collaborative projects.
- Enhance analytical and problem-solving skills to address issues of equity, inclusion, and diversity in community planning initiatives.
How It Works
Course Length
15 - 20 hours
Delivery
On-Demand
Instruction
Self-paced
Cost
$600
- Realtors
- Planners
- Alberta Public Housing Administrators
- Local Government Managers
- Elected Officials
- Rural Health Care Professionals and Advocates
- Indigenous and Northern Housing Administrators
- Engineers
- Architects in Training
Dr. Gina Martin
Dr. Gina Martin's research focuses on understanding how the physical and social neighborhoods where young people live, play, and learn influences their health. Much of her work focuses on understanding neighborhood effects (such as social environments, urban/rural differences, and built and natural environments) on child and adolescent health and well-being. Her research involves using quantitative techniques and mixed methods.
Dr. Martin has worked extensively on projects studying patterns of child and adolescent well-being and substance use in both the Canadian and Scottish context. She is also working to explore the links between planetary health and child and adolescent well-being, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being and health-related, social, and environmental behaviours of adolescents.
Dr. Meg Berry
Dr. Meg Berry has over 15 years of experience as an archaeologist, heritage manager, and conservation professional. She has a specialty in rock art, world heritage, and cultural landscapes. After completing her Master’s and PhD. in Australia, she returned to Canada and is currently a Consultant Archaeologist, Research and Project Assistant, and Heritage Practitioner.
Her work includes supporting Rural and Indigenous communities in developing heritage management and conservation strategies that are guided by their own needs and cultural protocols, developing practical archaeological, rock art, and landscape conservation and management programs, undertaking archaeological, heritage and historical research, facilitating archaeological/historical assessments and supporting Indigenous lead Cultural Heritage and Land Use Studies.
Dr. Berry’s research interests encompass rock art and symbolic behavior, the human-environment connection, rural resilience, and heritage resources management, utilizing heritage resources for health and happiness, archaeological and cultural landscape conservation, Indigenous lead site conservation, and heritage management and conservation through the application of natural interventions and cultural protocols.
Dr. Hussein Al-Zyoud
Hussein Al-Zyoud is an Associate Professor in Economics at Athabasca University's Faculty of Business. He currently teaches different undergraduate courses. He has been working with Athabasca University for 19 years.
His research focuses on a range of social topics relevant to Alberta, including income inequality and international economics. He has contributed to several leading conferences, including the National Business and Economics Society and the International Academy of African Business and Development.
Ian Chitwood
Ian is a doctoral candidate at Athabasca University in the Doctor of Business Administration program. His research focuses on the critical exploration of advanced manufacturing. He is a management professional with over 15 years of work experience in operations management in various industries. He is currently an instructor at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Henry Tsang
Dr. Henry Tsang is an architect and assistant professor in the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University in Alberta. His design and research work lies in the intersection of sustainable, healthy, and accessible buildings. Henry has cumulated over his 20-year career an extensive global and diverse portfolio of works, which have earned him accolades that include Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, as well as recipient of the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence and two Construction Canada Emerging Leader Awards.
Tsang is a certified RHFAC accessibility professional by the Rick Hansen Foundation and has been applying principles of universal and barrier-free design both his design and research work. He has contributed to many publications on the topic, including an award-winning essay entitled Accessible Design: An Architect’s Blind Spot that will be published in an upcoming book on What is Accessible Design by Buildner. He currently also serves as a member of the accessible design technical subcommittee of the Rick Hansen Foundation.
Laura Vero-Augustine
Laura Vero-Augustine holds a diploma in Architectural Technology from Fanshawe College and is currently a dual-track student in the RAIC syllabus diploma and BSc in Architecture through Athabasca University. Research Assistant to Henry Tsang researching Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in rural communities and the built environment.
She is a mature student and mother, passionate about how architecture can improve people's quality of life and restore the environment. Founder of a registered charity called the Canadians Locally Improving Communities Society (The CLIC.ca) dedicated to the principles of regeneration and non-extraction, the restoration of damaged landscapes, and the reuse of materials destined for the landfill to build and teach community members of all ages about upcycling and permaculture.
Dr. Shabnam Inanloo Dailoo
Dr. Shabnam Inanloo Dailoo is Associate Dean, Strategic Initiatives and Director and Associate Professor of Heritage Resources Management within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Athabasca University. Dr. Inanloo Dailoo has two decades of national and international experience in heritage conservation theory and practice. She holds a PhD in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary.
She completed her post-doctoral research with the Canada Research Chair on Built Heritage at the Université de Montréal. She has been involved in projects involving heritage resources of diverse nature in urban and rural settings including cultural landscapes and Indigenous cultural places. She continues to research on nature-culture interrelationships and the role of communities in heritage management.
Her current research examines the existing policies, guidelines, and procedures in conservation and management of World Heritage sites; heritage education in Canada; and heritage documentation and conservation and climate impact. Dr. Inanloo Dailoo teaches graduate courses and supervises undergraduate and graduate practicum students. She serves as Co-Chair of the National Roundtable on Heritage Education and the Canadian Chapter of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies. She is also Athabasca University's focal point for Climate Heritage Network.
Dr. Meg Berry
Dr. Meg Berry has over 15 years of experience as an archaeologist, heritage manager, and conservation professional. She has a specialty in rock art, world heritage, and cultural landscapes. After completing her Master’s and PhD. in Australia, she returned to Canada and is currently a Consultant Archaeologist, Research and Project Assistant, and Heritage Practitioner.
Her work includes supporting Rural and Indigenous communities in developing heritage management and conservation strategies that are guided by their own needs and cultural protocols, developing practical archaeological, rock art, and landscape conservation and management programs, undertaking archaeological, heritage and historical research, facilitating archaeological/historical assessments and supporting Indigenous lead Cultural Heritage and Land Use Studies.
Dr. Berry’s research interests encompass rock art and symbolic behavior, the human-environment connection, rural resilience, and heritage resources management, utilizing heritage resources for health and happiness, archaeological and cultural landscape conservation, Indigenous lead site conservation, and heritage management and conservation through the application of natural interventions and cultural protocols.
Dr. Josie C. Auger
Dr. Auger is a Cree person and has a PhD in Public Health Sciences. She began her career in communications and has been actively participating in land-based ceremonies with elders since 1986. She is an Associate Professor at Athabasca University in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Her research plans follow a braid of three distinct interwoven strands: 1) Indigenous leadership, 2) self-government and sovereignty, and 3) Population Health for Indigenous people and the earth. She has been involved in national and global research partnerships and aims to bring her expertise forward in the spirit of decolonization, hope and healing.
She has experience in various fields such as academics, non-profit organizations, and as an elected leader for Bigstone Cree Nation. Dr. Auger a break from her academic career to serve as the CEO of a non-profit society offering addictions training, research, and health promotion for four years to address the issues of addictions and mental health affecting Indigenous people directly and indirectly.
Dr. Lisa Carter
Dr. Carter is a science educator and researcher with a Ph.D. in Science and a background in studying autoimmune diseases and teaching immunology. She joined Athabasca University, where she is currently a professor in biology.
Dr. Carter is leading a major initiative to empower Indigenous communities within the oil sands region of Alberta through the development of a Centre that enables community members to study environmental impacts of industry through community-based monitoring activities. She is also contributing to the Alberta Real Estate Foundation Legacy Grant and is honored to be working with Indigenous colleagues and learning about contributing to the module presented.
Trevor Butler
Trevor Butler is an architectural engineer with over 29 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector. He specializes in a creative, whole-systems approach to building design and development, delivering innovative solutions that make significant strides toward energy neutrality and regenerative initiatives.
Anastasia Blomgren
Anastasia Blomgren is a research assistant for the Regenerative Design module. She has experience studying and working in sociology, design, and ESL education. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Planning at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Calgary
Course FAQs
Is this an instructor-led course?
This course is designed to be self-paced with all materials you need for successful completion contained within the learning platform. The course has been designed by subject matter experts and includes interviews with leading experts, aligned to the course outcomes. The course is an immersive experience that includes a mix of content including video introductions and video content, impactful readings, learning checks, and interactive elements – all which can be completed at your own pace.
How much time will I need to spend?
This course requires approximately 15 – 20 hours of study to complete.
Do I have to be online at a certain time of day?
No, you do not have to be online at a specific time. You complete the coursework at the times and places that fits your schedule. Each course is designed for working professionals who are balancing their work, family and community commitments.
When do I start?
You can start the course as soon as you register! You will automatically be directed to the interactive learning environment.
How long will I have access to the course?
You will have 30 days from the time of registration to complete the course. It is recommended to complete the course in two weeks.
What is the refund policy?
No refunds will be issued for courses. Refunds may be considered under exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please contact powered@athabascau.ca for more information.
Are there tests or quizzes involved?
There will be activities, assignments, and short quizzes within the course to ensure you understand the content. All quizzes are designed to be accessible and easy to complete by engaging in the course content. Within each module, you will have the answers to each evaluation.
What are the computer requirements for this PowerCourse™?
If you can access the Internet, you can access the course environment. The course environment is compatible with laptops, PCs, tablets and smart phones.
Does this course have pre-requisites?
This course does not have a required pre-requisite.
Who do I contact if I need help?
You can contact powered@athabascau.ca for assistance with any questions you may have. We are here to help!