Our Research

The CDI maintains a clear focus on research and on providing access to valuable resources toward the goal of increasing knowledge and understanding and building capacity around community, regional, and economic development. Our goal is to balance both applied and basic work so as to maintain academic credibility and to be of practical relevance to communities.

The information in this section is organized by topic. Please contact us if you need help finding information or have a question about any of the research or resources included here.

  • Community Profile: Quesnel/North Cariboo Region

    • Community Services Provision

    The North Cariboo region is economically dependent on the natural resource sector, which has traditionally been dominated by the forest industry; however, other dominant industries include mining, agriculture, and tourism. The region’s economy and its communities are facing a significant challenge due to many factors including increasing frequency of natural disturbances and the continued volatility in the global market for natural resources.
    These factors have the ability to cause wide scale impacts to individuals and communities of the North Cariboo as they will impact jobs, businesses, and services in the community.

    To support the community in working toward a long-term goal of building a more diverse economy and resilient community for Quesnel and the North Cariboo region, the Community Development Institute (CDI) at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) partnered with the City of Quesnel and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to deliver an economic development project that would engage the community to identify and build on community and regional assets and strengths to diversify the economy that would result in economic change and transformation.

    To build an understanding of the assets, opportunities, and challenges in the community, the first step that needs to be taken is completing research to compile a community profile to provide useful insights on the residents and local economy, as well as on the opportunities and challenges for the community moving forward.

    The data that has been collected for this Community Profile is the most recent that can be found for the region. However, due to schedules and methodologies for data collection, such as suppression of data sets due to low response, some of the data presented may appear outdated.

    The Community Profile: Quesnel/North Cariboo Region provides a snapshot of the community that can be used as a baseline and reference point for future planning and actions. 

  • Community Profile: Williams Lake/Central Cariboo and Chilcotin Regions

    • Community Services Provision

    The Central Cariboo and Chilcotin regions are economically dependent on the natural resource sector, which has traditionally been dominated by the forest industry; however, other dominant industries include mining, agriculture, and tourism. The region’s economy and its communities are facing a significant challenge due to many factors including increasing frequency of natural disturbances and the continued volatility in the global market for natural resources.
    These factors have the ability to cause wide scale impacts to individuals and communities of the Central Cariboo and Chilcotin as they will impact jobs, businesses, and services in the community.

    To support the community in working toward a long-term goal of building a more diverse economy and resilient community for Williams Lake and Central Cariboo and Chilcotin regions, the Community Development Institute (CDI) at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) partnered with the City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to deliver an economic development project that would engage the community to identify and build on community and regional assets and strengths to diversify the economy that would result in economic change and transformation.

    To build an understanding of the assets, opportunities, and challenges in the community, the first step that needs to be taken is completing research to compile a community profile to provide useful insights on the residents and local economy, as well as on the opportunities and challenges for the community moving forward.

    The data that has been collected for this Community Profile is the most recent that can be found for the region. However, due to schedules and methodologies for data collection, such as suppression of data sets due to low response, some of the data presented may appear outdated.

    The Community Profile: Williams Lake/Central Cariboo and Chilcotin Regions provides a snapshot of the community that can be used as a baseline and reference point for future planning and actions.  

  • Community Profile: 100 Mile House/South Cariboo Region

    • Community Services Provision

    The South Cariboo region is economically dependent on the natural resource sector, which has traditionally been dominated by the forest industry, however other dominant industries include mining, agriculture, and tourism. The region’s economy and its communities are facing a significant challenge due to many factors including increasing frequency of natural disturbances and the continued volatility in the global market for natural resources. 

    These factors have the ability to cause wide scale impacts to individuals and communities of the South Cariboo as they will impact jobs, businesses, and services in the community. 

    To support the community in working toward a long-term goal of building a more diverse economy and resilient community for the 100 Mile House and South Cariboo region, the Community Development Institute (CDI) at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) partnered with the District of 100 Mile House and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to deliver an economic development project that would engage the community to identify and build on community and regional assets and strengths to diversify the economy that would result in economic change and transformation. 

    To build an understanding of the assets, opportunities, and challenges in the community, the first step that needs to be taken is completing research to compile a community profile to provide useful insights on the residents and local economy, as well as on the opportunities and challenges for the community moving forward. 

    The data that has been collected for this Community Profile is the most recent that can be found for the region. However, due to schedules and methodologies for data collection, such as suppression of data sets due to low response, some of the data presented may appear outdated. 

    The Community Profile: 100 Mile House/South Cariboo Region provides a snapshot of the community that can be used as a baseline and reference point for future planning and actions 

  • Vital Signs Prince George

    • Community Services Provision
    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    For the first time since the inception of the national Vital Signs program, the Prince George Community Foundation is releasing its own local report: Vital Signs Prince George: Telling Our Story.  The report provides statistical data in a pleasing and easy to understand format, shedding light on four aspects of life in our community: People and Work, Health and Well-Being, The Gap Between Rich and Poor, and Housing.  It presents a selection of data to provide an overview of Prince George’s “vital signs” in four indicator areas.  Vital Signs is a tool for community practitioners and citizens alike to get a sense of our particular community characteristics.

  • Redesign Rupert

    • Community Services Provision
    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    • Major Project Development
    Redesign Rupert involved working with community groups and individuals to support positive change. The Redesign Rupert project consisted of five elements:
    • Establishing a governance structure for the project.
    • Conducting meetings with community leaders from business, industry, government, First Nations, and community organizations.
    • Conducting a community mapping exercise.
    • Hosting a community workshop.
    • Establishing community action groups.
    The project was a partnership between the City of Prince Rupert, Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest, and the Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Our goal was to tap into the passion, energy, and resilient spirit of the people of Prince Rupert to build a community that is ready for the future.
    The project focused on the following areas:
    • Working with a broad range of stakeholders (business, industry, community organizations, government, and First Nations) to identify and build upon economic assets and opportunities.
    • Engaging organizations and individuals to identify and pursue opportunities to build community capacity and enhance quality of life.
    • Developing working partnerships to secure resources to support economic and social development in the community.
    • Creating a strong and adaptable foundation to allow Prince Rupert to monitor, anticipate, and adjust to changing issues and opportunities.

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