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Apr 17, 2024 · Canada is a suburban nation. More than two-thirds of our country’s total population live in suburbs. This interactive map uses 2021 census data to show where, and to what extent, people live in the suburbs of Canadian cities.
What makes a suburb a suburb? Simply, a suburb is a community surrounding a city. However, when one pictures a suburb, the image may vary widely depending on the society. In Canada, most consider the suburbs home to upper- and middle-class people with private homes.
- Background and International Context
- Regional Variations
- History
- Successes and Challenges
In 2011, 81 per cent of Canadians lived in an urban centre, compared to 45 per cent in 1911. Statistics Canada defines an urban area as community with 1,000 residents or more. According to the 2014 United Nations report on global urbanization, Canada ranks 40th in the world. It is more urbanized than the United States, Norway, France and Germany, b...
An important characteristic of Canadian urbanization is distinct regional variations reflecting the different economic bases of provinces and territories. Ontario, Québec and British Columbia have long maintained proportions of urban population at or higher than the national average. More recently, they have been joined by Alberta. On the other sid...
Because of the initial role played by the royal courts of France and England, Canada became an urban nation relatively early in its history. The urbanization process has passed through five major phases and, in the 2000s, entered a sixth stage. These phases overlap: each one has not entirely taken the place of previously established patterns. Phase...
Canada’s urbanization has demonstrated both successes and ongoing challenges. Chief among to manage expansion and promote sustainable development. For example, to accommodate growth, cities must invest in infrastructure while at the same time preserving green space and preventing air, water and land pollution. A solution is to concentrate developme...
Feb 18, 2020 · This way of life is more or less normal: More than two-thirds of Canadians live in a suburb, and in metropolitan areas that number climbs closer to 85 per cent, says David Gordon, a professor at Queen’s University who specializes in the history of Canada’s suburbs.
Feb 9, 2022 · In Canada's three largest urban centres, the distant suburbs (30 minutes or more from downtown) grew at a faster pace than the urban fringe and suburbs closer to downtown, further evidence of the ongoing urban spread.
Mar 16, 2023 · Canada’s suburbs are known for their diverse cultures, excellent strong economy, and standard lifestyle. Canada’s suburbs have something for everyone, whether you want to live in a family-friendly neighborhood with excellent schools or a vibrant downtown with lots of employment opportunities.
Both in everyday speech and in urban research, we often refer to suburbs as opposed to the city, urban neighbourhoods or the city centre. It is probably clear in the minds of most people who live in one of Canada’s urban areas whether they live “in the city” or “in the suburbs”.
