Abstract The book and the two articles chosen for review were selected as they represent critical "bookends" in the field of Canadian urban geography during the formative period in which immigration transformed physical and social landscapes of Canada's cities. As this review demonstrates, while Donald Kerr's and Jacob Spelt's "The Changing Face of Toronto: A Study in Urban Geography" explores the geography of Toronto as both a "natural" and a human construct, articles by Carlos Teixeira and Gilles Lavigne on how Portuguese immigration has shaped residential neighbourhoods in Montreal and Toronto focus on the human element in the shaping of space.
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that typically, Toronto and the surrounding area are not the first places to come to mind when one is considering the major global hubs throughout the world. Yet, that writer points out that because of its unique location astride the border of two sizeable nations, the United States and Canada, Toronto is certainly a global paradox of both small town mentality and cosmopolitan enterprise. The writer maintains that one primary reason Toronto has evolved into an international crossroads of sort is that from the outset its development was not impaired by any natural barriers that would have prevented early forms of commerce and transportation. The writer concludes that it is clear that, geographically speaking, Toronto is a global region to which its current social, political, and cultural apparatus is presently enhancing. The writer uses several tables and images in this paper to support the information provided.
Outline:
Overview
Economic
Urban
Social
Conclusion
From the Paper "Clearly, Toronto's geography has facilitated its global stature as a regional centre of commerce as well as immigration."
"Toronto's population is very urban in nature. One attribute of urban, as well as suburban life is transportation and the character a city's transportation habits adopt. Toronto's population is very dependent on all facets of transportation, public and private but especially on individual transportation solutions."
Abstract This marketing geography paper addresses two different retail developments in Toronto: (1) Commerce Court, and (2) Danforth Avenue. The author reports visits to each site and estimations of customer density based on 15 minute point observations. The paper describes Commerce Court as a convenience-oriented planned retail area catering to locally employed consumers and the Danforth Avenue as a surface, neighborhood retail area encouraged by local residential areas, specialty shops and restaurants, which also draw leisure consumers from other areas.
From the Paper "Ken Jones (2004) noted retailing as a major component of the Canadian economy (p. 185). In the next pages, two very different Toronto retail areas provide a sense of how successful retail areas are geared to expected, often particular, clienteles. North American research has shown the great importance of the shopping environment to customer tastes and encouragement given to different kinds of retail ventures (Walmsley & Lewis, 1993, p. 159). "
Abstract The following assignment is for a fourth year geography assignment. The topic is Chinese spring rolls. The assignment requested the student to determine where in Toronto the ingredients for spring rolls came from. This assignment was completed by going to the grocery store and reading the ingredients on the packages. The companies were then looked up on the Internet. "
From the Paper "Although Chinese spring rolls originated in China they have migrated throughout the world. This means that one can obtain the necessary ingredients to make Chinese spring rolls in Toronto. The fact that the spring rolls are not made in China and the fact that most of the ingredients are fairly common, means that it is possible to obtain the necessary ingredients in most Toronto grocery stores. The grocery stores obtain their ingredients from their parent companies, which often use local suppliers. This makes sense especially when many of the ingredients are perishable and would not survive the long trip to the supermarket."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the Toronto Bike plan. The writer explains that the city of Toronto has many bicycle riders and that the authorities wish to encourage this form of transport. The writer discusses the planning and policy of the plan in this article. Further, the writer looks at the implementation and administration of the Toronto Bike plan.
From the Paper "The city of Toronto has many dedicated bicycle users. A Decima Research Poll in 1999 showed that 62% of Toronto households own a bicycle, and that 939,999 adults regularly bicycle in the city. Furthermore, an impressive 20% of Toronto residents regularly use their bicycle for transportation purposes, e.g. to work, school, shopping, etc. Another 28% regularly bicycle for recreational or exercise purposes. For its part, the City of Toronto states that it is committed to encouraging bicycling, and that the Toronto Bike Plan that it is currently working on is the latest evidence of this."
Abstract This paper describes an area in Toronto that has attracted Korean businesses and others to make up a diverse section called Little Korea. This neighborhood is typical of Korean business districts in other North American cities. The author points out that Toronto's Little Korea has developed piecemeal rather than as an extension of the Annex area to the east The paper's methodology is mainly descriptive, based on an informal oral survey obtained directly in the district.
From the Paper "Introduction to the Area Bloor Street, between Bathurst and Euclid presents a typical Annex district area of mixed development in a comparatively old or 'traditional' area of central Toronto. This paper results from an exploration of Bloor Street that commenced at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst Street, by the landmark "Honest Ed's" store that has long served new Canadians, students and others in need of low-cost household goods. Until the 1980s, the continuation of Bloor Street, westward from this point, featured a lessening of businesses of interest to the student population of the Annex."
Abstract The paper presents the issue as it relates to Toronto's housed citizens and its homeless ones. The paper relates that over the course of the past several years, Toronto's attempts to create new and expand existing homeless service venues, such as soup kitchens and shelters, has resulted in a significant anti- homeless and anti-service movement. The paper explains that while the community may have the responsibility to provide social and other services to every member of the community, the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) reaction of the housed citizens can be equally strong.
From the Paper "Toronto's difficulties in effectively managing it's homeless problem in terms of controlling, moving, sheltering and providing services for the indigent has created a significant set of ancillary problems between the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY)-leaning people and the homeless advocates and activists of that city. Over the course of the past several years, the city's attempts to create new and expand existing homeless service venues such as soup-kitchens and shelters has resulted in a significant anti-homeless and anti-service movement."
Abstract Racial profiling is a term used to define instances in which one ethnic group is subjected to police surveillance or detention more than any other group in society. The practice occurs when the race of the individual is more significant in causing police action than the suspicion of criminal acts. In instances in which racial profiling has been evident, the cause is generally because assumptions about particular racial groups exist within the police organization. This paper looks at the issue of racial profiling in the city of Toronto and how some organizations contend that racial profiling is a serious issue, which must be addressed while other professionals and community members suggest that racial profiling does not exist, and that the claims that have been made against the Toronto police are without merit.
Abstract This paper explains that the city of Toronto and the greater Toronto Area seems to be in the midst of a transitional period in terms of the transportation infrastructure of the urban region. The paper further explains that, while the decaying 20th century infrastructure and transportation systems have been recognized as requiring refurbishment and expansion, and all levels of government appear to be committed to these renovations, the nature and direction of these changes are still unclear.
Abstract For many Torontonians few things are as vexing as the ongoing debate surrounding the restoration of Toronto's much maligned waterfront. This paper examines the most pressing issues driving the Toronto waterfront debate and explores, where possible, the origins of these issues and where they appear headed. In the process of so doing it is hoped that this paper will illuminate the stark reality that the imperatives of the situation fairly demand that past hard feelings and acrimony should no longer be used as an excuse for failing to act.
Abstract The paper's proposal describes a research paper that will examine Toronto's burgeoning hi-tech and bio-tech industries; where they are located, what they look like and where they rank internationally. The paper relates that the research will focus on Affinium Pharmaceuticals in addition to other companies. The paper explains that the research should bring an appreciation for how Toronto is making a name for itself in the bio-technology sector; a sector once felt to be chiefly the preserve of U.S. centers.
Outline:
Introduction
The What (and What They Look Like)
The Where
International Status
Methodology
From the Paper "With a broad understanding of just what it is that different Toronto organizations do, the end research paper will explore the location of these companies. A quick perusal of one useful online map indicates that many of these organizations are indeed densely packed around the U of T (Biotechnology Ontario, "Toronto City Map", illus.1). At the same time, the fact those same organizations/companies are clustered in close proximity to the downtown financial core suggests they have wisely resolved to be as near as possible to the major financial houses and banks in the event that investment capital and loans can be secured. The final research paper will obviously spend some time looking at what enticements have compelled these various bio-tech competitors to "cram" themselves into the same small patch of real estate."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that homelessness in Toronto is an ever-growing problem facing the city. The materialization of this problem has not been caused by one single action or event. Rather, it has been growing due to several factors facing homeless individuals, as well as the society and the government. This paper discusses the extent of the problem of homelessness in Toronto, the problems that the homeless people are facing today as well as the factors that have led to a rise in homelessness, including the cutbacks in social programmers and policy by the government. Finally, the writer discusses what needs to be done in order to deal with this problem.
From the Paper "Homeless people also face many barriers to accessing the healthcare system, sometimes simply because they do not have a permanent address or because their health card has been stolen. Furthermore, there are prevailing false beliefs and stereotypes about the homeless, particularly since historically homelessness has been linked to vagrancy. Many still believe that homelessness in the result of an inadequacy or failure of an individual rather than the responsibility of the society. Many studies have pointed to the fact that the increase in the number of homeless citizens significantly burdens many other services: health, legal, employment etc."
Abstract This paper discusses the two major waves of economic geography, that is the epistemological wave and the hermeneutic of cultural wave. It also discusses incorporating artisanal production in theory forming in geography and why this is so important to research in geography.
From the Paper "Artisanal Production and Geography The relationship between art and science has always been a contentious one. In many causes art and artisanal production have been ignored by disciplines wishing to be more scientific. This situation is discussed by Trevor J. Barnes in Retheorizing Economic Geography. Barnes argues that there have been two major waves of economic geography. These are the epistemological and the hermeneutic or cultural wave. The epistemological wave was characterized by a strong reliance on science (Barnes 546). For this reason the social, cultural and artistic were usually not dealt with in economic geography during the first wave."
Abstract This is a review of a classical concert performance and a critique of the programming of this concert by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (February 16, 2002). This review indicates how the performance was characterized more by its diversity than by its stylistic or thematic unity. This review focuses on this aspect of the performance, and argues that while it is not essential to the success of a concert, the audience's understanding of the reasons behind the programming of a concert can contribute greatly to its success.
