ABSTRACT
Drawing on recent work in evolutionary economic geography, we focus on path creation as the framework for understanding how, in a resort destination context, the shift from growth models to ones based on principles of sustainability are evolving. Path creation emphasizes the power of human agency by recognizing the influence of entrepreneurs in shaping their environments. In the case study of the mountain resort of Whistler, British Columbia, we focus on one key aspect of the discourse surrounding the transition in governance from growth towards sustainability – that of affordable housing. The data are drawn from key informant interviews, participant observation and community document sources. The findings demonstrate how, through ‘mindful deviation’ from a growth model approach, Whistler entrepreneurs were able to utilize the collective agency of the community, generated in support of a new governance model based on principles of sustainability, to address the pressing need for affordable employee housing. This resulted from the opportunity to host the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through the efforts of both individual and collective human agency Whistler entrepreneurs were able to persuade the local Olympic organizing committee to conform to the resort's sustainability mandate in the development of athletes’ accommodation that would later serve as permanent resident-restricted housing. Overall, the study demonstrates the utility of employing a path creation lens as an analytical tool for understanding evolutionary change.
