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.
By:
Richard Harris Volume editor:
Craig Heron, Colin Coates Imprint: University of Toronto Press Country of Publication: Canada Edition: 2nd Revised edition Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 140mm,
Spine: 15mm
Weight: 320g ISBN:9780802084286 ISBN 10: 0802084281 Series:Themes in Canadian History Pages: 160 Publication Date:08 June 2004 Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Richard Harris is a professor emeritus of urban geography at McMaster University.
Reviews for Creeping Conformity: How Canada Became Suburban, 1900-1960
Creeping Conformity is a little gem. It is one of those rare books by an academic that is both easy to read and leaves you wanting more. -- Susan Schiller