The Natural History of Canadian Cities

The Natural History of Canadian Cities examines how Canada's urban centers developed in relation to their natural environments and resources. Through detailed case studies of major cities including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Matthew Evenden traces the environmental transformations that shaped these metropolitan areas from their earliest settlements to the present day. The book investigates key aspects of urban development such as water management, waste disposal, power generation, and the creation of parks and green spaces. Evenden analyzes historical records, maps, and municipal documents to reconstruct how city planners and residents responded to environmental challenges and opportunities. The research spans indigenous land use patterns through colonial settlement and industrialization to modern sustainability initiatives. Each city's relationship with its rivers, harbors, forests, and geological features receives focused attention. This environmental history reveals how natural features and resources fundamentally shaped Canadian urbanization while also exploring broader themes about the complex relationships between cities and nature. The book contributes to ongoing discussions about urban sustainability and the future of city-environment interactions.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Matthew Evenden's overall work: Readers consistently highlight Evenden's detailed research and ability to present complex environmental history in an accessible way. Reviews note his balanced treatment of competing interests between industry, government, and environmental concerns. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of technical concepts without oversimplification - Integration of historical documents and data - Balanced perspective on environmental conflicts - Strong focus on Canadian water resource history What readers disliked: - Academic writing style can be dense - Some sections heavy on policy details - Limited coverage of Indigenous perspectives - High textbook prices Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Fish versus Power - 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Allied Power - 4.5/5 (6 ratings) The River Returns - 3.8/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: Averages 4.0/5 across titles but very few reviews One academic reviewer noted: "Evenden excels at showing how technological choices shaped environmental outcomes." Another commented: "The research depth is impressive but the writing could be more engaging for non-specialist readers."

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Rivers of Empire: Water, Aridity, and the Growth of the American West by Donald Worster The control and manipulation of water resources shapes the development of western American cities and their relationship with surrounding landscapes.

Cities of Nature: Urban Environmental History by Martin Melosi The intersection of built environments with natural systems reveals how North American cities evolved through distinct environmental challenges and adaptations.

The Organic Machine: The Remaking of the Columbia River by Richard White The Columbia River's transformation through damming and industrial development demonstrates how cities harness and modify natural systems for urban growth.

🌆 Matthew Evenden is a Professor of Geography at the University of British Columbia and specializes in environmental and urban history. 🌊 The book explores how Canada's major cities developed around natural features like rivers, harbors, and resource-rich areas, shaping their growth and character. 🏗️ Urban development in Canadian cities often required dramatic modifications of natural landscapes, including the flattening of hills in Halifax and the draining of wetlands in Toronto. 🌿 Indigenous peoples' historical relationship with these urban landscapes is examined, revealing how their settlements and land use patterns influenced the locations of modern Canadian cities. 🗺️ The book traces the environmental transformation of Canadian urban spaces from pre-colonial times through industrialization to the present day challenges of climate change and sustainability.