Community and contradictions : the role of a community centre in a St. John's housing project

This thesis examines the role that a community centre plays in the 'practice' of community in a social housing project in west St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. My analysis focuses on the tensions and contradictions involved in the course of daily life around the Centre as the staff attempt to realize the goals of the Centre, enhance the social conditions of the area, and help to develop the 'cultural capital' of the residents. Particular attention is paid to the core analytical themes which emerged during the course of my fieldwork, such as 'community,' 'empowerment,' and 'ownership.' I examine how these themes are invoked as 'mobilizing metaphors' to serve the agendas of government, the staff of the Centre, and tenant-activists from the project, contrasted with how these same themes are realized as practices in daily life. I also analyze some of the historical, political and economic contexts in which the Centre is situated which relates to a key contradictory tension the Centre is placed within: the strengthening of 'community' within a housing project that is mandated as 'transitional' housing