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Evolution of Ethnic Enclaves in the Toronto Metropolitan Area, 2001–2006

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Abstract

How do ethnic enclaves grow and change over time? This question is addressed by a longitudinal analysis of the geography of ethnic enclaves in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area over the period 2001–2006. The analysis shows that the enclaves in the Toronto area are continually realigning, their centres of gravity shifting and their contours changing. Usually, in an enclave, an axis or band of high-ethnic-density territories is formed, surrounded by zones of lower ethnic concentrations. Enclaves of groups with high levels of immigration from South Asia and China have been expanding, whilst those of earlier waves of immigrants—Jews, Portuguese and Italians—show tendencies towards consolidation and contraction. The emergence of ethnic institutions and services keeps enclaves thriving. Today, enclaves are largely in suburban areas where homeownership rates are high and new housing has been built. In the Toronto area enclaves, particular ethnic groups are demographically dominant without being a majority. Other ethnic groups have a sizable presence in these enclaves.

Résumé

Comment est-ce que les enclaves ethniques s’agrandissent et évoluent au fil des années ? Nous cherchons la réponse à cette question dans l’analyse de la géographie d’enclaves ethniques dans la région métropolitaine de recensement de Toronto de 2001 à 2006. L’analyse indique que les enclaves dans la région de Toronto sont en évolution constante, leur centre de gravité et leurs contours se modifiant sans cesse. D’habitude, dans une enclave, il se forme un axe ou une bande de territoires à forte densité ethnique qui est entouré de zones à densité ethnique moins élevée. Des enclaves de groupes à forte concentration d’immigrants d’Asie méridionale et de Chine se développent alors que celles composées de vagues antérieures d’immigrants—Juifs, Portugais et Italiens—tendent vers la consolidation et la contraction. L’émergence d’institutions et de services ethniques assurent la réussite des enclaves. Aujourd’hui, les enclaves se trouvent, en grande partie, dans les régions suburbaines où le taux d’accession à la propriété est élevé et de nouveaux logements ont été construits. Dans les enclaves de la région de Toronto, des groupes ethniques précis dominent sur le plan démographique, sans pour autant être majoritaires. D’autres groupes ethniques constituent une présence appréciable dans ces enclaves.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the two anonymous referees whose comments helped us clarify many points. The errors and omissions are of course ours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Urban and Regional Planning, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Mohammad Qadeer

  2. School of Urban and Regional Planning, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON, Canada, M5B 2K3

    Sandeep K. Agrawal

  3. Department of Geography, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Alexander Lovell

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  1. Mohammad Qadeer
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  2. Sandeep K. Agrawal
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  3. Alexander Lovell
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Correspondence to Mohammad Qadeer.

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Qadeer, M., Agrawal, S.K. & Lovell, A. Evolution of Ethnic Enclaves in the Toronto Metropolitan Area, 2001–2006. Int. Migration & Integration 11, 315–339 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-010-0142-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-010-0142-8

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