Urban relocation of Africville residents : a study of the influence of urban relocation on displaced residents, with particular respect to the Africville relocation

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of urban relocation on the lives of displaced residents and examines the changes which occur in people’s lives as a result of urban relocation. Through the Institute of Public Affairs, Dalhousie University, research is being conducted into the relocation of eighty Negro families from Africville, a sub-standard quasi-community which existed in the north-end of the City of Halifax. This is an individual thesis written as one part of this larger research project. Case studies of ten households directly involved in the relocation provided the main source of data; reports prepared by the City of Halifax and the Institute of Public Affairs both during and after the relocation supplemented the case studies. This information was coded and analyzed according to a research design. Patterns and insights generated through an analysis of the data were then presented and discussed. It was found that communication between the Africville residents and civic administrators was poor before, during and after the move. Comprehension as to the real consequences of relocation, as perceived by the relocatees, was very low. Increases both in Welfare dependency and debt accumulation were evident after the move. Much residential resentment was directed towards the City for its massive intervention into their lives. It was concluded that social workers need to be alert to the implications of urban relocation and some recommendations were offered in this regard.