Changing Neighbourhoods: Social and Spatial Polarization in Canadian Cities

Growing inequality and polarization have reshaped the social landscape of Canada's metropolitan areas, affecting diverse urban populations. This book examines the dimensions and impacts of increased economic inequality and urban socio-spatial polarization since the 1980s, based on a national comparative study of seven major cities. It reveals the dynamics of neighborhood change and the factors influencing residential options and poverty concentrations. The book calls for concerted policy responses to address the problem.

Format: Hardback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2020
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

In recent decades, Canada's metropolitan areas have witnessed a significant shift towards growing inequality and polarization, leading to profound changes in neighborhoods and impacting the lives of increasingly diverse urban populations. This book delves into the dimensions and consequences of increased economic inequality and urban socio-spatial polarization since the 1980s. Drawing upon the insights of the Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership, a groundbreaking national comparative study of seven major cities, the authors unveil the intricate dynamics of neighborhood change across the Canadian urban landscape. Through detailed mapping of average income trends across neighborhoods, they shed light on the various factors, including social, economic, and cultural, that shaped residential choices and redistributed concentrations of poverty and affluence.

While the core of the book revolves around the findings from each city, other chapters serve as valuable context. Collectively, they provide a comprehensive understanding of the scale and complexity of the problem at hand, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated policy responses in the years to come.

This book offers valuable insights into the evolving social dynamics of Canada's cities, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities facing urban communities. It serves as a call to action for policymakers, community leaders, and citizens alike to address the underlying causes of inequality and polarization and work towards creating more inclusive and equitable cities for all.

Weight: 934g
Dimension: 201 x 261 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774862028