Formal, Functional & Perceptional Regions

Formal Regions

• Language– What is our language identity in

Golden?

• Political Identity– Have we a Political Identity?– How do we stand on issues compared

with the rest of the Province (rural vs urban) or the Country (west vs east)?

• Climate– Can we define ourselves by the

climate? (Cold, dry, etc)

• Vegetation– How does the vegetation here differ

from elsewhere in the region (vs Invermere, Cranbrook, Blaeberry to Parson)

Functional Regions• organized around a focal point of:

• Transportation– How do we get to Calgary, Cranbrook, Okanagan?– How do visitors get here and is that part of our identity?

(hwy 1 vs 93)

• Communication– How do we communicate with others…infrastructure

(phone, internet, community activities etc)

• Trade– What is the trading area? How large is it? Do

we sometimes leave the area to trade elsewhere? (Walmart in Golden?)

Assignment

• www.sd6.bc.ca/gss/duce/functional.htm

Perceptional Regions

• defined by human attitudes about areas

– What is your perception of BC, Kootenays, East Kootenays, Golden, Blaeberry?

– Depending on your age, interests, abilities….

– Is the town friendly? – Is the town safe?– Is this an exciting place to live, to

retire, to engage in other activities?

– What are the educational opportunities?

– Is this a good place to look for work?