Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960

Creeping Conformity, the first history of suburbanization in Canada, provides a geographical perspective - both physical and social - on Canada's suburban past. Shaped by internal and external migration, decentralization of employment, and increased use of the streetcar and then the automobile, the rise of the suburb held great social promise, reflecting the aspirations of Canadian families for more domestic space and home ownership.

After 1945 however, the suburbs became stereotyped as generic, physically standardized, and socially conformist places. By 1960, they had grown further away - physically and culturally - from their respective parent cities, and brought unanticipated social and environmental consequences. Government intervention also played a key role, encouraging mortgage indebtedness, amortization, and building and subdivision regulations to become the suburban norm. Suburban homes became less affordable and more standardized, and for the first time, Canadian commentators began to speak disdainfully of 'the suburbs,' or simply 'suburbia.' Creeping Conformity traces how these perceptions emerged to reflect a new suburban reality.


Disclaimer: Two images removed at the request of the rights holder.

1115938927
Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960

Creeping Conformity, the first history of suburbanization in Canada, provides a geographical perspective - both physical and social - on Canada's suburban past. Shaped by internal and external migration, decentralization of employment, and increased use of the streetcar and then the automobile, the rise of the suburb held great social promise, reflecting the aspirations of Canadian families for more domestic space and home ownership.

After 1945 however, the suburbs became stereotyped as generic, physically standardized, and socially conformist places. By 1960, they had grown further away - physically and culturally - from their respective parent cities, and brought unanticipated social and environmental consequences. Government intervention also played a key role, encouraging mortgage indebtedness, amortization, and building and subdivision regulations to become the suburban norm. Suburban homes became less affordable and more standardized, and for the first time, Canadian commentators began to speak disdainfully of 'the suburbs,' or simply 'suburbia.' Creeping Conformity traces how these perceptions emerged to reflect a new suburban reality.


Disclaimer: Two images removed at the request of the rights holder.

16.99 In Stock
Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960

Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960

by Richard Harris
Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960

Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960

by Richard Harris

eBook

$16.99  $28.95 Save 41% Current price is $16.99, Original price is $28.95. You Save 41%.

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

Creeping Conformity, the first history of suburbanization in Canada, provides a geographical perspective - both physical and social - on Canada's suburban past. Shaped by internal and external migration, decentralization of employment, and increased use of the streetcar and then the automobile, the rise of the suburb held great social promise, reflecting the aspirations of Canadian families for more domestic space and home ownership.

After 1945 however, the suburbs became stereotyped as generic, physically standardized, and socially conformist places. By 1960, they had grown further away - physically and culturally - from their respective parent cities, and brought unanticipated social and environmental consequences. Government intervention also played a key role, encouraging mortgage indebtedness, amortization, and building and subdivision regulations to become the suburban norm. Suburban homes became less affordable and more standardized, and for the first time, Canadian commentators began to speak disdainfully of 'the suburbs,' or simply 'suburbia.' Creeping Conformity traces how these perceptions emerged to reflect a new suburban reality.


Disclaimer: Two images removed at the request of the rights holder.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781442658448
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication date: 12/15/2004
Series: Themes in Canadian History
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 160
File size: 4 MB

About the Author

Richard Harris is a professor in the School of Geography and Geology at McMaster University.

Table of Contents

Figuresvii
Acknowledgmentsix
1Introduction3
2A Place and a People18
3Cities and Suburbs46
4The Making of Suburban Diversity, 1900-192974
5The Growing Influence of the State106
6The Rise of the Corporate Suburb, 1945-1960129
7Creeping Conformity?155
Bibliography175
Index193

What People are Saying About This

Larry S. Bourne

'Provocative, informative, and insightful, Creeping Conformity is a landmark study in urban history and a major contribution to our understanding of the evolution of the suburbs.'

Dolores Hayden

'A major contribution to North American urban history, Creeping Conformity analyses the transformation of Canada's suburbs between 1900 and 1960. Everyone with an interest in class, gender, and metropolitan building patterns should read this remarkable book.'

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews