U of L researchers looking to study social effects on Medicine Hat’s downtown core

By Medicine Hat News on June 1, 2019.

A study about the impact of social issues and social change will be conducted in Medicine Hat by the University of Lethbridge.

“We want to know what you like about the neighbourhood,” said Em Pijl, assistant professor with the faculty of health sciences. “We also want to know when the last time someone did drugs behind your business, the last time a car was broken into, or if you feel unsafe in your neighbourhood. And we want to know if these types of events are seasonal and affected by other things happening in the area.”

Throughout June a small team of research assistants will visit businesses and residences to deliver and administer a short survey.

The study area is bordered by River Road, Ash Avenue, Pringle Street, Hill Road, Sixth Street SE, along Third Avenue and back to the river.

Pijl together with Kristen Desjarlais-Deklerk at Medicine Hat College want to understand the impact of social issues and social change on business and residential areas of the central neighbourhoods.

Pijl says there are a wide range of experiences and emotions when people talk about a city’s downtown. Many cities have worked to rejuvenate downtown areas but so far little has been published about how social issues affect people.

“As a community, we need to know what and where the issues are so we can address and mitigate them,” said Pijl.

The anonymous survey, guided by research assistants, takes about 20 minutes to complete. Participants can send email addresses for a quarterly report on the study.

In about a year’s time residents will have the option of attending a presentation to hear about the findings of the study, said Pijl.