The focus of this course is on how Toronto is presently (patterns) and how it came to be this way (processes). Essentially, the course focusses on changes over time. This underlying theme will be the subject of your research paper.
One of the most profound changes in many older neighbourhoods throughout Toronto is “gentrification”. Various neighbourhoods are in different stages of this process.
Please choose one of the three City of Toronto Neighbourhoods from the following list for your research paper (the preceding number is a City of Toronto designation):
78 – Kensington (Chinatown)
85 – South Parkdale
90 – Junction Area
Your essay will discuss the processes of gentrification in North American cities in general, and in your chosen neighbourhood in Toronto specifically. Please answer the following questions in your essay.
Please structure your essay under these 6 subheadings:
1) Introduction: State what your essay is about, what your main argument will be, and how you will discuss it in your essay (i.e., list the sub-sections here).
2) Define and discuss the concept of gentrification (its origin and meaning). How does it relate to the ideas of “revitalization” and “urban renewal” (are they the same thing?)? (use academic literature here)
3) What are some of the positive and negative aspects of gentrification, in general? (refer to some academic literature here)
4) This is your empirical section. Please do the following for your chosen Toronto neighbourhood:
Provide a map of your chosen neighbourhood. Specify the street boundaries of your chosen neighbourhood in your essay. Locate your “Neighbourhood Profile” here (by name or by number): https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/
Discuss what processes of gentrification have occurred and/or are occurring in your chosen Toronto neighbourhood over time. You will need to provide a brief history of your neighbourhood. You might consider changes in:
Socio-economic composition
Ethnic composition
Housing types and cost
Household size (e.g., families, young singles, elderly singles, couples without children, etc.)
Changes in retail stores and services in the neighbourhood over time
What conflicts or problems related to gentrification have emerged in your chosen neighbourhood over time (between groups of residents within the area, between residents in the area and the City, developers, etc.)? Are these related to land use changes?
You must provide some Neighbourhood Profile data to illustrate some of these changes (i.e., look at data in at least 2 time periods), which can be found at the “Neighbourhood Profile” link above (click on your chosen neighbourhood in the list).
You may also include some numerical data from other sources if you wish (articles, newspapers, real estate data, etc.)
You must provide some Google Street View screen capture images in your essay (this is your “virtual field work”). Explore your chosen neighbourhood using Google Street View, and include some screen shots to illustrate gentrification of the neighbourhood. You may compare your screen shots with historical images you may find (online or in other sources). Also, try sliding the time bar back in the Google Street View to see what changes have occurred in recent times (in the black box in the upper left corner of the Street View screen, click on the words “Street View” to see the time bar – slide the bar to see the same image at different points in time).
This is an example of Google Street View in front of the Chang School at Ryerson – you can try to virtually “walk” down the street and around campus:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6570252,- 79.3799138,3a,30y,20.17h,91.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBJowpJZbD3blN2kBfznOrQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
5) What can be done to minimize or eliminate the negative impacts of gentrification in general? Please provide examples of mitigation efforts attempted in at least 2 cities in North America, other than Toronto. Please consider the following:
To what extent were they successful?
Are they applicable to your chosen neighbourhood?
What do you think should be done in your chosen neighbourhood to minimize or
eliminate the negative impacts of gentrification? You may mention some efforts already underway or proposed in your chosen neighbourhood by the Toronto government, by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc. You can also provide your own thoughts and opinions here.
6) Conclusion: Briefly comment on whether gentrification a good thing or a bad thing? (Give your opinion!)
You are required to use at least 4 peer-reviewed articles and/or books for your essay.
In addition to the 4 peer-reviewed articles and/or books, you can include information from newspapers, government reports, government websites, Non-Governmental Organization websites, photos, class lectures, etc. Make sure that every source is referenced in your bibliography.
Every figure, table, graph or photo that you include must have a proper title above it, and a reference below it. If it is taken from the web, please paste the URL below it so I may click on it (in very small font) – this will be sufficient as the reference. You do not need to include these URL reference links in your bibliography.
