Urban Development in the Niagara Fruit Belt

Abstract

<p> Urban development in the Niagara fruit belt has long been a problem for the area. The gradual beginnings of small non-rural land uses created demand for the infrastructure that literally paved the way for large scale urbanization of this agricultural land. Development has continued to the point that the fruit belt's viability as an agricultural resource, is threatened. This paper outlines a history of events the fruit belt, it's importance to Canada's agricultural industry, the threats to the area and the conflicting views in order to determine whether or not the fruit belt can be preserved for agriculture. In this, it was discovered that the greatest threats to the area originate from economic conditions favouring urban development. This thesis provides a basis on which future planning and development for the fruit belt can be assessed. It also indicates the extent of damage and conditions in order to determine the possibility of saving the area.</p>