Toronto's "Greek-Town"

Case Study # 101654

Canadian Studies > Biculturalism
Canadian Studies > History, Culture
Canadian Studies > Immigration Issues

An analysis of the future of the Greek community in Toronto, particularly in the enclave of Greek-Town.

2,672 words () | 7 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper considers the future of the Greek community in Toronto and discusses what its dispersal from Greek-Town means regarding the eventual integration or assimilation of the group into the mainstream Canadian population and economy. The paper presents four interviews with different aged Greek persons living in Canada. It then discusses the current situation and the future of the Greek population there.

Table of Contents:
Interview Questions - Local Persons
Interview Questions - Expert
Introduction
Theoretical Background
Responses and Critical Analysis

From the Paper:

"In this analysis, in considering the future of the Greek community, we cannot say with certainty that this dispersal from GreekTown means the eventual integration/assimilation of the group into the mainstream Canadian population and economy. Certainly, the primary challenge the community faces in the years to come is how it deals with assimilationist pressures against the desire - as cited by several interviewees - to preserve their cultural heritage. While GreekTown on the Danforth is clearly "history", this does not mean that the Greek ethnic economy in Toronto has ceased to exist. Indeed, it may even be possible that the suburban enclaves may themselves become voluntary cocoons in which Greek micro-business can find its niche in delivering Greek services and amenities to a co-ethnic population in a suburban landscape dominated by the "big box" retailers like Costco or Wal-mart."

Sample of Sources Used:

Borjas, G. (1998). "To ghetto or not to ghetto: Ethnicity and residential segregation." Journal of Urban Economics, 44: 228-253.
Harney, R.F. (1985). Gathering place: Peoples and neighbourhoods of Toronto, 1834-1945. Toronto: Multicultural Society of Toronto.
Light, I., Sabagh, G., Bozorgmehr, M., Der-Martirosian, C. (1994). "Beyond the ethnic enclave economy." Social Problems, 41, 1: 65-80.
Logan, J.R., Zhang, W., and Alba, R. (2002). "Immigrant enclaves and ethnic communities in New York and Los Angeles." American Sociological Review, 67, 2: 299-322.
Luk, C.M., and Phan, M.B. (2005). "Ethnic enclave reconfiguration: A new Chinatown in the making." GeoJournal, 64: 17-30.