Urban Development Through the Eras: A Critical Geography Perspective
Week 1: Introduction to Urban Geography
What is a City?
Cities are dense population clusters where people live in close quarters, fostering interactions. Key features include:
- Size: Large population centers.
- Heterogeneity (Diversity): A division of labor with a wide range of jobs and industries, and social diversity encouraging various cultures and lifestyles.
- Public Needs: Infrastructure and services like air quality, water, sewage, housing, and emergency services.
- Tempo of Life: Fast-paced and busy.
Cities impact countries through:
- Economic Influence: Major hubs for commerce and real estate.
- Environmental Effects: Waste and pollution.
- Cultural and Political Influence: Driving ideas, innovation, and governance.
Biological vs. Cultural Reproduction
Biological reproduction is how organisms produce offspring. Cultural reproduction transmits cultural values and practices across generations. For example, biological reproduction ensures species continuation, while cultural reproduction passes down societal beliefs through education.
Being a Critical Urban Geographer
Critical urban geographers question assumptions to improve cities. Key concepts include:
- The City as a Process (Urban Growth): Cities grow through population increase and land expansion.
- The City as a Process (Urbanization): The relative shift of population from rural to urban areas.
- The City as a Process (Urbanism): How urban inhabitants interact with the built environment.
- The City as a Process (Planning and Development): Examining urban decision-making.
Week 2: Eras of Urban Development
Based on Trudi Bunting and Pierre Filion’s work, urban development is divided into five eras:
Pre-Fordist Era (19th Century-1945)
Economic & Social Context: Slow industrialization, primarily agricultural and rural population. Key events included World War I, the Great Depression, and the 1867 Constitution Act. Minimal welfare state and limited government intervention. Cities were heavily influenced by colonialism and mercantilism.
Urban Forms: Small, compact cities (e.g., Kingston, Belleville) with walkable, pedestrian-focused downtowns. The Central Business District (CBD) was near waterfronts or railways. Factories were located near waterfronts for transport, and working-class housing was nearby. Mixed-use development was common due to the lack of zoning laws.
Reasons Behind Urban Form: Dependence on water/railways for transport, limited mobility, and the necessity of proximity to work.
Fordist Era (1945-1975)
Economic & Social Context: Post-war prosperity, rapid industrial growth, rise of automobile culture, cheap fuel, mass production, high unionization, government intervention, and expansion of urban infrastructure.
Urban Forms: Suburbanization driven by cars. Development of large suburban areas with single-family homes. Highways connected cities to suburbs. Decline of downtowns and the rise of suburban malls. Zoning laws separated residential, industrial, and commercial areas.
Reasons Behind Urban Form: Car ownership, government support for homeownership, and a cultural focus on single-income families.
Post-Fordist Era (1975-Present)
Economic & Social Context: Economic recessions, globalization, free trade, the rise of the service/knowledge economy, neoliberal policies, and a smaller welfare state.
Urban Forms: Continued urban sprawl, gentrification, inner-city redevelopment, high-rise apartments, mixed-use developments, and waterfront redevelopment.
Reasons Behind Urban Form: Economic volatility, the decline of manufacturing, a shift to a service economy, and gentrification driven by profit.