[Social] Culture of Outports

Port Union, Newfoundland and Labrador

Heather LeRouxHeritage Conservation and SustainabilitySustainability Case StudyDecember 8, 2014

Photo: ERA Architects, Culture of Outports is Liveable Communities

Port Union, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2012. CBC: The Sunday Edition

Description

• The Culture of Outports began in 2010 spearheaded by ERA Architects as an attempt to create small scale place-based interventions in outport communities that are reflective of the unique character of each region.

• The overall goal for Culture of Outports is to foster community building initiatives that could be used to support the communities through tourism or other place-based enterprises that support the sustainable development of the community.

Timeline – Port Union

• 1908 The Fishermen’s Protective Union is formed.

• 1916 Founding of Port Union by Sir William F. Coaker.

• 1945 Fire impacts a large section of Port Union, industrial and commercial buildings are rebuilt

• 1949 Confederation, Newfoundland joins Canada.

• 1998 – 2006 Port Union designated at the national, provincial and municipal level for historic significance.

Port Union from the Harbour, W.F. Coaker Heritage Foundation Collection, MUN Maritime History Archive (1920).

Port Union after fire, W.F. Coaker Heritage Foundation Collection, MUN Maritime History Archive (1945).

Top: Burlington (2011), Brigus (2012), Bottom: Botwood (2014) Photos: ERA Architects, www.cultureofourports.com

An arch welcoming FPU members to Port union for the annual convention., Sir William F. Coaker Heritage Foundation Collection, Memorial University Maritime History Archive, n.d.

Foundation Square, Port Union, ERA Architects (2013). www.eraarch.ca/2013/port-union-success

Stakeholders

• ERA Architects• Dalhousie University and Ryerson University• Centre for Growth and Urban Renewal • Municipality of Trinity Bay North• Sir William F. Coaker Heritage Foundation • Parks Canada• Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

Natural/Cultural Heritage

Natural• Planning of outport communities based on the landscape and natural geography

of the area. • Connection to harbor side area and hydro-electric plant.

Cultural• Union based construction of the town, and historic significance of the

Fisherman’s Protective Union.• COO: Use of intangible and tangible cultural heritage inventories to determine

the type of project.• Community build.

Sustainability

• Economic: Connection to labour history, new tourism economies based on heritage resources.

• Environmental: Connection to natural resources and the harbor, COO reusing wharf materials in the Port Union build.

• Social: Importance of the community build, incorporation of students in the design and build, communities taking on ownership of the projects.

ERA Architects, Culture of Outports Blog (2013). www.cultureofoutports.com/2013/blog

References• ERA Architects (2013). ERA Architects, Culture of Outports.

www.cultureofoutports.com/2013/blog

• Canadian Register of Historic Places (2007). “Statement of Significance” Port Union Historic District National Historic Site of Canada. Retrieved Nov. 21, 2014 from: http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7657&pid=0

• Alix Green et al. “Living heritage universities as anchor institutions in sustainable communities.” International Journal of Heritage and Development. 3.1. p. 7-19.

• Andrea O’Brien and Debbie O’Reilly (2006). “Architectural Survey of Port Union, NL. Conducted by Andrea O’Brien and Debbie O’Reilly, June 15-16, 2006. Compiled by Andrea O’Brien,” published by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Sir William Ford Coaker Heritage Foundation, (2006). “Our History.” Retrieved Nov. 18 from: http://www.historicportunion.com/en/ourhistory.html