| In the year 2018, "urban-rural divide" is a commonly-used phrase. While there are some very real differences in population, economy and cultural values between some urban and rural areas, even defining the two terms is difficult. Furthermore, the ties that connect them are intrinsic and permanent. Transportation; interdependency on natural resources and food; and the flow of money, goods, ideas and people are all part of the continuum of these areas. Dividing all people into two binary categories is a misrepresentation of the diversity of both rural and urban communities. By shifting the focus from opposing areas to interconnected regions, the ties between rural and urban can be explored more in depth, creating the potential for greater understanding and partnerships.;This thesis posits that the connective tissues of trails, punctuated with points of interpretation, can be a means to harness opportunities of exchange between rural and urban residents. Trails often stand as a physical representation of the historical and modern ties between urban and rural areas. These physical connections support personal connections as neutral linear spaces shared by disparate communities. The development and implementation of interpretation, including trail signage, public art or a mix of the two can be used to explore communities' relationships with each other. The process of creating community-sourced public art, and the lasting impressions of provocative interpretation can be used to express the personal stories of the residents of these areas, and their relationships with each other.;The research undertaken in this thesis provides evidence of the many ways that these elements--urban/rural relationships, trails and interpretation--are, and can be integrated. Site visits and interviews with professionals in each of these areas, along with secondary research provided a framework for the broad considerations of these three elements. This collective information was then applied to an actual trail system, where further interviews with local stakeholders provided more detailed understanding of the considerations that would be necessary for integrating these elements in a real-world context. The findings of this study show that with the right structure, projects can bring together rural and urban communities along trails to facilitate explorations of these regional relationships through the process of creating art and interpretation. |
