Next Gateway Centre Of Excellence In Rural Health Virtual Lecture Takes A Look At The Urban Exodus And The Impacts Of COVID-19 In Rural Ontario
by Bob Montgomery
The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged a lot of people to move out of the big cities.
The closure of offices, schools, public parks, and restaurants led many to leave urban areas in favour of small towns and rural communities. Even after schools, workplaces, and public facilities reopened, the rise of online work and telecommuting made it possible for many to make their move permanent. And that urban migration has brought both opportunities and challenges to rural communities. While new economic innovators have settled in small towns, population growth has strained aging infrastructure. To support the well-being of rural communities welcoming these new residents, thoughtful planning and development are essential.
Researchers from the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development have been studying these changes in rural landscapes. They will share their findings during Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health’s online webinar series on Tuesday, February 4th, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET via Zoom. The webinar is titled “The Urban Exodus: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Ontario.”
Featured Speakers are:
Dr. Sara Epp: Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph, specializing in social and agricultural planning in Southern and Northern Ontario.
Natasha Gaudio-Harrison: Certified Economic Developer and Economic Development Officer for the County of Huron.
Dr. Christopher Fullerton: Associate Professor of Geography and Tourism Studies at Brock University.
To join this webinar and future sessions in the series, please visit the Gateway CERH website: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/lectureseries
