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Density Gradients in Canadian Metropolitan Regions, 1971-96: Differential Patterns of Central Area and Suburban Growth and Change

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Listed:
  • T. Bunting

    (School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada, tbunting@fes.uwaterloo.ca)

  • P. Filion

    (School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada, pfilion@fes.uwaterloo.ca)

  • H. Priston

    (School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada, hepristo@fes.uwaterloo.ca)

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that over the 25-year period, 1971-96, the majority of Canadian cities have undergone transition towards an increasingly decentralised urban form. The trends, however, are quite diverse, pointing to fundamental differences in the respective importance of growth in central and outer parts of the metropolitan area. On the whole, the relatively high densities observed in Canadian central cities, in comparison with US ones, appear to reflect residual centralisation rather than continued growth in metropolitan regions' innermost parts. Only Vancouver, and to a lesser extent Toronto and Victoria, exhibit indisputable evidence of post-1971 central-area growth. The predominant trend has been towards suburban-style, low-density expansion, albeit with considerable intercity variation regarding changes in central-area and suburban density. Findings presented here point to previously unidentified trends towards recentralisation in a few CMAs and, in about half of the surveyed metropolitan areas, densification of suburban tracts.

Suggested Citation

  • T. Bunting & P. Filion & H. Priston, 2002. "Density Gradients in Canadian Metropolitan Regions, 1971-96: Differential Patterns of Central Area and Suburban Growth and Change," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 39(13), pages 2531-2552, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:39:y:2002:i:13:p:2531-2552
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098022000027095
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Genevieve Giuliano & Christian Redfearn & Ajay Agarwal & Chen Li & Duan Zhuang, 2005. "Not All Sprawl: Evolution of Employment Concentrations in Los Angeles, 1980-2000," Working Paper 8589, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
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    5. Joan Carles Martori & Rafa Madariaga & Ramon Oller, 2016. "Real estate bubble and urban population density: six Spanish metropolitan areas 2001–2011," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 56(2), pages 369-392, March.
    6. Doug Ramsey & Alex Michalos & Derrek Eberts, 2016. "Community Changes and Growth in Small Cities: Resident Perceptions of Growth in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(4), pages 682-699, December.
    7. repec:ind:nipfwp:23 is not listed on IDEAS

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