The urban metropolis and its function in society cannot be understood without studying its composition as a city of immigrants, their newcomer families and friends and the ties that bind them. By overlooking the ethnic culture and networks of the city's immigrants, the study of the urban centre is at best a futile effort.

Ethnic tendencies and particularly ethnic residential segregation, are areas of examination than cannot be neglected if we are to understand the individual and group experiences that ultimately influence urban growth. It is therefore important to carefully explore these areas so that insight into the underpinnings of the urban metropolis is achieved.

Looking at Canadian urban centres from 1850-1920, specifically the city of Toronto, I will examine the issue of ethnic residential segregation and its significance to the urban centre. I will attempt to prove that this phenomenon is a consequence of ethnic concentration in particular industries resulting from ethnic networks and socio-economic inequalities present within society. Furthermore, the existence of these vibrant yet segregated ethnic communities does not imply that assimilation i

We must also keep in mind that assimilation is not always a natural procedure and thus cannot adequately explain the process of ethnic segregation. It is necessary to look beyond models that accentuate ideal methods of dispersal because we do not live in an ideal world.

Lewis, Robert. "Class Residential Patterns and the Development of Industrial Districts in Montreal's East End, 1850-1914," Journal of Urban History 17 (1991): 123-152

It is evident than that immigrant concentration in particular occupations directly impacts the spatial location and segregation of various ethnic groups, as is demonstrated in the Jewish and Finnish communities of Toronto. Furthermore, ethnic residential segregation prior to 1930 (when transportation was not easily and economically accessible) cannot be attributed to a lack of assimilation. It resulted as a necessary component of life, determined by divergent occupational skills.

In Toronto, Canada: 1851-1971," Research Paper No. 124. Centre For Urban and

"PASSENGERS PROTEST AGAINST FOREIGNERS

By the 1900's, the 'Ward' as it was popularly know, primarily consisted of East Europeans of Jewish descent. They initially settled in the Ward because they had little choice. Upon their arrival, they were in immediate need of cheap accommodation near steady employment (Harney, 1985). St. John's Ward, adjacent to the commercial centre of the city, provided them this opportunity. They had relatively few skills and no credit although their affinity for the garment industry proved valuable (Speisman, 1979). Suffice it is to say, the Ward was in close proximity to this industry.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Toronto Kinship, Hydro Commission, Toronto Suburban, Jews Toronto, Looking Canadian, SEGREGATION SOLIDARITY, Toronto Furthermore, MacDonald MacDonald, North America, East Asia, residential segregation, ethnic residential segregation, ethnic residential, harney 1985, ethnic networks, ethnic neighbourhood, lindstrom-best 1979, occupational skills, lack assimilation, kalbach warren, university toronto, employment harney 1985, york oxford university, st john's ward, residential segregation significance,
Approximate Word count = 2811
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)