Ethnic Diversity, Immigrant Settlement, and Municipal Planning in a Small Canadian City: The Case of Brooks, Alberta

<p dir="ltr">Immigration in Canada has been characterized by an uneven distribution, with a disproportionate concentration of immigrants settling in major gateway cities. Despite numerous policies and programs developed by various levels of government to attract and retain immigrants towards smaller cities, less is known about planning for immigrant settlement through the lived experiences of immigrants in smaller cities. This study explored the place-based experiences of immigrants living in a smaller city and the municipality’s role in attraction and retention. Specifically, the questions of inquiry involved: 1) How do racialized immigrants experience settlement and integration in a smaller Canadian city? 2) What are the implications of lived experience when planning for diversity? Case study research of Brooks, Alberta was conducted involving interviews with racialized immigrants, municipal officials, and local settlement agency staff. This study found that the primary reason for immigrant settlement in a smaller city was based on economic or family-related factors. Furthermore, fostering a sense of belonging is critical for retention, and this can be facilitated through inclusive community spaces and partnerships between municipalities and communities. Planners should seek to understand the lived experiences of immigrants in community especially in contexts undergoing processes of social demographic changes.</p>