Urbanization of Canada and the World Canadian Geography 120 Mr. D

What is an Urban area? Statistics Canada defines an urban area as a place with 1000 or more people and a population density of 400 or more per square kilometre Statistics Canada defines an urban area as a place with 1000 or more people and a population density of 400 or more per square kilometre

What attracts people to cities? Jobs Jobs Stores Stores Schools Schools Universities Universities sports facilities sports facilities Relatives Relatives Friends Friends world important events world important events

Sports and Urbanization Many people learn about certain cities because of sports teams (ex. Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Blue Jays) Many people learn about certain cities because of sports teams (ex. Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Blue Jays) The Olympic Games have been held every four years except when a world war has intervened. They are always associated with a host city. The Olympic Games have been held every four years except when a world war has intervened. They are always associated with a host city.

Wealth and Urbanization The world’s wealth is concentrated in cities – banks, stock exchanges, insurance companies – Most financial companies are headquartered in great cities (New York, Tokyo, London, Toronto) The world’s wealth is concentrated in cities – banks, stock exchanges, insurance companies – Most financial companies are headquartered in great cities (New York, Tokyo, London, Toronto)

History of Urban Growth The first cities appeared in the Tigris- Euphrates river basin (Mesopotamia) – now a part of Iraq – between 4000 and 3000 B.C. The first cities appeared in the Tigris- Euphrates river basin (Mesopotamia) – now a part of Iraq – between 4000 and 3000 B.C. Development in trade, industry, art, science, and culture to influenced other cities growth. Some cities (Babylon, Rome, Constantinople) grew to be mighty empires Development in trade, industry, art, science, and culture to influenced other cities growth. Some cities (Babylon, Rome, Constantinople) grew to be mighty empires European cities disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire and many people lived in the country sides European cities disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire and many people lived in the country sides The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century brought explosive growth in the urban population of Europe The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century brought explosive growth in the urban population of Europe

History of Urban Growth (continued) The Industrial Revolution improved energy sources and developed new manufacturing technologies (waterwheels, windmills, steam engines – electricity provided power for great factories) The Industrial Revolution improved energy sources and developed new manufacturing technologies (waterwheels, windmills, steam engines – electricity provided power for great factories) Urban areas began to dominate every nation’s economy and culture Urban areas began to dominate every nation’s economy and culture

Urbanization in Canada Until the 1700s there were no large urban settlements in Canada. Until the 1700s there were no large urban settlements in Canada. In the 1800s there was some growth around sites where power was available (Montreal, Trois Rivieres), fur trade centres (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Thunder Bay), defence sites (Halifax, Vancouver), and places where minerals could be found (Sudbury). In the 1800s there was some growth around sites where power was available (Montreal, Trois Rivieres), fur trade centres (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Thunder Bay), defence sites (Halifax, Vancouver), and places where minerals could be found (Sudbury). In 1871 only 19% of Canadians were in the cities. By 1930 it was 50%. By % of Canadians lived in the city. Since then the percentage has stayed about the same In 1871 only 19% of Canadians were in the cities. By 1930 it was 50%. By % of Canadians lived in the city. Since then the percentage has stayed about the same

CMAs CMA – census metropolitan area (ultra large urban centre) CMA – census metropolitan area (ultra large urban centre) A significant trend in Canada is the increasing dominance in national life of a few CMAs A significant trend in Canada is the increasing dominance in national life of a few CMAs CMA is any place that: CMA is any place that: has a large urbanized core has a large urbanized core is surrounded by urban or rural areas that are closely integrated (socially or economically) with the core is surrounded by urban or rural areas that are closely integrated (socially or economically) with the core must have a population of at least must have a population of at least Today there are 25 CMAs in Canada Today there are 25 CMAs in Canada

Distribution of Canadian Population in CMAs The western CMAs are growing most quickly (Edmonton and Calgary in particular) The western CMAs are growing most quickly (Edmonton and Calgary in particular) CMAs especially dominate in Ontario CMAs especially dominate in Ontario Half of Canada’s population lives in the country’s 20 largest urban areas; near Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver Half of Canada’s population lives in the country’s 20 largest urban areas; near Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver Urban centres are very important to Canada, but only two rank in the world’s top 100 in terms of population: Toronto (61st) and Montreal (66th) Urban centres are very important to Canada, but only two rank in the world’s top 100 in terms of population: Toronto (61st) and Montreal (66th)

Questions Why do you think some people would prefer to live in a small town rather than a large metropolitan area? Why do you think some people would prefer to live in a small town rather than a large metropolitan area? Do you expect to live in a city after you complete your education? Explain why or why not. Do you expect to live in a city after you complete your education? Explain why or why not. List at least five Canadian towns and cities, noting their most famous professional or amateur sports teams. Compare your list with those of your classmates. List at least five Canadian towns and cities, noting their most famous professional or amateur sports teams. Compare your list with those of your classmates. List the Canadian CMAs that you and your classmates have visited or lived in during the past two years. Note two positive and negative aspects of each CMA that has been visited List the Canadian CMAs that you and your classmates have visited or lived in during the past two years. Note two positive and negative aspects of each CMA that has been visited