RESIDENTS' PERCEPTIONS AND UNDERSTANDINGS OF SUBURBS IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO

Abstract

<p>The literature on the topic of suburbia is vast. Most studies however, have been written from the point of view of suburban outsiders. Very few scholars have asked suburbanites what they think about the neighbourhoods in which they live. This gap is significant because of our growing awareness of various problems associated with the suburbs, notably those connected to the environment and human health. Focusing on Hamilton, Ontario, this thesis addresses this gap, looking at what suburbanites think about the suburbs in general, as well as their own neighbourhoods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 residents of single-family, detached dwellings in three neighbourhoods in Hamilton that on most criteria would be considered suburban. Most notably, it was found that suburban residents have difficulty conceptualizing suburbia when asked to define it abstractly, but have less difficulty completing this same task when asked to consider a real-world example instead. As well, it appears that most suburban residents have heard very few positive comments about the suburbs from outside sources. Other findings relate to where suburban residents consider the suburbs to be located in Hamilton, what they think about the negative complaints that have been directed at the suburbs by critics, and what advantages and disadvantages they associate with living in a suburban neighbourhood. These results may have important implications for future research on how suburbanites perceive the suburbs, and for policies aimed at reshaping the suburbs to reduce social, environmental, and economic costs of the suburban lifestyle.</p>