Changing Rural Land Uses in the Toronto Centred Region Commutershed 1955 - 1977

Abstract

<p>Rural land uses in the western Toronto Centred Region were studied in order to determine whether trends were in accordance with the stated public policy for the area. Three types of land use were studied, agricultural, recreational and non-farm rural residential. Within the study period, agriculture in the commutershed townships experienced changes in structure as well as decreases in scale. Many acres of the western Toronto Centred Region were under recreational uses, but a large number had access restriction or financial deterrents to use by the general public. Lot fragmentation and rural residence construction trends indicated a significant increase in the number of land owners and residences, especially in those areas adjacent to metropolitan Toronto. Past land uses were found not to be in accordance with desired land-use patterns and a re-evaluation of policy or a greater intervention in land-use controls is urged.</p>