Urban Historical Geography, Research Paper Example

Background Information on Sherbourne Street’ Development

Sherbourne Street surrounds the entirety of St. James Town to its west end. Wellesley Street on the other hand covers the eastern side of the town. Noted as the largest high-rise community in Canada, the said area is composed of both residential and office-buildings that defines the society living in it. It is often noted as the mixing pot of all cultures in the country as it caters to both the high-end earners and also those who are probably stricken with poverty. Residents in the area come from the extreme sections of the social economic division. Overall, Sherbourne Street is a house to 19 high-rise buildings with at least 14 to 32 stories. Built in the 1960’s, these high-rise towers became home to several residents. It has been observed to be one of the densely populated communities thriving in Canada.

It was during the 19^th century when the growth of the said community bounded by Sherbourne Street has been given birth to. According to the past surveys that have been concluded, the community that first thrived in the area came from the middle-class families. However, the appeal of the town did not much confirm the supposed “welcome” it has to pose for the target families it hoped to serve. The town then began to slowly get poorer. So as to increase the competency of the town to attract the attention of the right market, four particular buildings were established to host the incoming residents. Back then, these four buildings were considered to be the very first high-rise establishment sin the area.

Later on, new buildings came into existence. In 2001, two of the most prestigious establishments in the area were built right between Sherbourne and Wallesley Streets. The Public Library and the Community Center were established in the area and were considered to be the most important establishments alongside the said streets. At this point, it has been realized that the supposed “old town” surrounded by Sherbourne street  is now becoming one of the most advanced bustling cities in Canada. It could be observed how the types of residents coming in the city transformed every year. Back then, only middle-class families wanted to stay in the area, however with the development of high rise luxury apartments, it has been obvious how the new life became a magnet to the new members of the community, the first class families. In a way, the invite to these families did not simply come from the idea of being able to handle the “residential needs” of the people; instead, it does provide something more that what is actually expected. The area provides the comfort of a good home in the middle of the busy lives that most class A family lives with hence brining home close to work and vice versa. Observe from the map presented above that Sherbourne Street runs across the major operating sections of the town. Knowing what kind of residents live in the area would specifically provide an overview on what particular aspect of progress is considered evident in the city in line with the growth of modernity in the area.

True, as presented herein, St. James Town surrounded by Sherbourne Street has once been a simple town with big dreams. Growing up from a particular downfall of economy in the early 19^th century has provided it with the most important source of strength that served as a good plan to come out from the supposed devastating situation in the past. The coming back of St. James town played a great role in redefining the role of Canada in the modern world. As a result to this advancement, immigrants came in large numbers to actually fill in the new areas that were made available for residential occupancy.  To know more about the people occupying the area, the following section shall provide an overview of what makes up the said community.

Understanding What the Census Implies about the People

Sherbourne Street envelopes the areas that is home to several immigrants and local residents in St. James Town; this also includes the number of establishments in the area which serves as a mark of the area’s progress towards modern living. From a small town came a huge city that now caters to the needs of people both from Canada and from other parts of the country, serving their needs and the life opportunities they need to experience the supposed “real life” in Canada.  Among the prominent establishments in Sherbourne Street that catered to the growth of the city include that of the Toronto Public Library and the Community Center.  These establishments serve as the central trade mark of the area hence creating a more defined course of development for the society that it entails to host. Other prominent establishments in the area include six convenience stores scattered alongside the Sherbourne Street. These convenience stores serve as the central supplies provider for residents in the area especially in line with getting their food and other items they may need even during the wee hours of the day.

There are also some pharmacies around the said street. Three pharmacies surround the western end of the area which includes a Shoppers Drug Mart. Alongside these three are two other independent pharmacies that serve especially dedicated medicines to the community’s residents. There are also two primary grocery stores in the area that caters to the major “Food supplies” needs of the community. Food Basics and No Frills also have their own respective branches in the area. Most working opportunities are provided through these establishments and through the years, the number of individuals going to these areas define the demographics of the said community that lives between the West and East end of St. James Town.

Given that the concentration of business in the area is about 67% dedicated to the food industries, 24% on medicine and only 8% on other supplies, it could be analyzed what types of works most individuals living in the area take into consideration. Most often than not, this side of the town provides minimal opportunities to high-end professionals and more to contractual workers who serve as shop help. Only 13% of the total residents living in Sherbourne Street actually take professional positions in the establishments that were mentioned. In fact, a higher percentage takes the labor force positions as most of the residents include immigrants who are still trying to get into the option of living in this thriving town.

Talking about immigration, it has been reported through the census that there are currently 10 other languages [compared to English] that is being spoken by the residents of the area. Knowing what these languages are shall also point out what particular immigrants thrive in the area. The highest concentration of foreign language used in the western section of St. James Town is directed towards tagalong (8.1%) which is the official language of Filipinos. Coming at second concentration is Tamil (5.5%) which is the official language of the Dravidian Indians. Third in line is the unspecified Chinese language (2.5%) which accounts for the different communities coming from Chinese nationalities [probably coming from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mainland China]. At this point, other languages include Mandarin (2.5%), Korean (1.9%), Spanish (1.8%), Russian (1.8%), Serbian (1.4 %), Bengali (1.4%), and Urdu (1.4%). These language shares in the country provides a glimpse o the fact that at least 54% of the main residents making up this section of St. James Town is reserved to serving as a home to immigrants from all around the globe. Some of them has already established their families in the area and decided to stay for good in the country as permanent residents of Canada. From these residents come a good number of demographics that serve as the primary role takers in the community, providing it with the boost of development that it needs to embrace.

Take note from this diagram that at least 83% of the residents in the western side of the town [along the territories bounded by Sherbourne Street] belong to the working age. This then gives an idea that most families in this part of the city are able to comprehend with their responsibility as providers of their household and fueling up the capability of the community to become more dependable especially in the course of modifying the lifestyle and economy that the said section of the town is known for. The youths, most often than not the primary clients on most of the establishments found in the area [accounting up to 34% of the overall clientele of business establishments in the area] is represented within a 13% range of population concentration.

On the other end, the immigration rate that has been taken into consideration includes that of the fact that the immigration culture has increased from 12% up to 26% at its height. This insists on the fact that every year, immigrants see the western side of St. James Town to be more welcoming to their needs as it gives them the opportunities of thriving in a new land with much confidence that gives them a hope of realizing their life’s dreams in the area. Although it is remarkable how the said rate dropped in the latest census performed, it is evident enough that the year 2001 to 2006 already catered to settled immigrants in the area. To note a more intricate understanding about the concentration of races in consideration with immigrants in the area, the following table shows what particular cultures are present in this section of the town:

When it comes to understanding how these individuals survive the economic challenge in the area, it the following graphs shall further explain the community’s concentration in serving as a home to modern families and immigrants who simply want to survive life as it is:

Take note from these figures that a small number of individuals actually earn $30,000 and above compared to those under the said salary grade. This basically means that only a few are able to take on professional positions compared to those who are able to take on labor force positions that are most often than not more conducive in the area [given that it caters to establishments providing such types of works to both the young and old].

Concentration of occupations is further defined in this graph:

Observe from the graph that most of the occupations filled up by workers belong to the sales and service occupations which pertain to the positions made available in the establishments found in the area. Followed by business and finance occupations which most often than not pertain to the rank and file positions such as clerks and service opportunities. Third in line is that of the position provided to laborers which includes the transport services from point to point [supplier to buyer] that often requires manual labor from the workers.

Evidences from the News

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/732190–sherbourne-toronto-s-city-in-one-street. (Retrieved on December 8, 2011).

Take note from the news above how the current situations and development in Sherbourne Street is considered to be a part of its historical progress as well. The establishment of new residential apartments that are specifically designed to cater to the needs of immigrants who are still trying to make it in the community as members of a progressive society points out the real foundation of the society that evolve around Sherbourne street in Toronto. Believably, it is with this fact that considerations over modern ways of living patterned from the past have eventually flourished in the area.

Conclusion

From the identification and analysis procedure taken into account in this presentation, it could be acknowledged that the growth of the sectional community in St. James Town relatively connected to the existing lifestyle in areas covered by Sherbourne Street that stretches towards the Wellesley Street could be accounted for the increased number of immigrants thriving in the area. These individuals serve as the primary boosting elements to the development of the said community hence holding up the possibility of further progressing in the future. Notably, this involves the relative condition from which massive development is considered to occur.

With the increase of immigrants that are expected to come in the area as it flourishes further into a more developed community, it is assumed that the growth of the community’s economic dependability is to be further fueled by the fact that more people are to be encouraged to stay in and work in the area therefore developing its chances of further progressing as a thriving modern community. With the modern growth of the community’s assumed development, more are sure to be invited and welcomed to stay and grow alongside the maturity of the establishments and residential areas found in Sherbourne Street, St James.

References

Saint James Initiative. http://sjtinitiative.com/. (Retrieved on December 8, 2011).

Toronto Neighborhood. http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/index.htm. (Retrieved on December 8, 2011).

UrbanDB. Sherbourne Street. Buildings and Residences. http://www.urbandb.com/canada/ontario/toronto/sherbournestreet.html. (Retrieved on December 8, 2011).

Map of Sherbourne Street, Ontario Canada. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=44+Sherbourne+Street&city=Toronto&state=ON&zipcode=M5A+2P7&country=CA. (Retrieved on December 8, 2011).