Suburbia

 =// Suburbia //= Suburbia is an idea created after the post-war period of World War I but during the 1950's after World War II, suburban development changed into what resembles modern day suburbs. This was all due to a developer E.P. Taylor who bought 2000 acres of farmland on the outskirts of Toronto, created a new town of Don Mills. It was divided into four neighbourhoods, each focusing on one school. The houses were similar to eachother (1 1/2 storeys) with huge lawns. Each house had enough rooms for each individual in the family and to entertain guests. Living in the suburbs were comfortable with huge physical spaces available. Although suburbia was an idea created world wide in the post-war era; in Canada, suburbs were usually built around major cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, where land was less expensive. As more and more soldiers returned home, bringing with them war brides; and new immigrants came into Canada, many new homes were needed. New families sprung up along with newborn babies in which is called the Baby Boom. During the Depression in the 1930's, there was a shortage of homes with not enough funds to build them, but as the times turned prosperous in the post-war era, many went on home-buying sprees. The economy was humming. As automobiles ownership grew rapidly, it became possible for people to live beyond reach of public transit. Combined with increasing disposable incomes, it meant that bigger houses were affordable. This led to the rise to suburban sprawl.

Suburbia allowed many cities in Canada and world wide enlarge twice its size and led to the changes and developments of how people live their life. This also allowed new fads to develop in home design and decorating. New appliances were created and new designs for homes. In modern times, people still look for new ways to create designs for homes and appliances. Living in the suburbs also gave people more space and also a sense of mental and emotional space. Before the idea was developed, many lived in crammed up spaces in the city or on farmlands; with the new suburban homes, people changed and it still affects us today. The use of cars increased; we use cars to go to nearby grocery stores or to visit eachother. Many of us still live in homes that were once part of the suburbs or still do. Worldwide, suburbs are still being built, especially in developing countries. The idea of suburbia still lives on and with growing awareness of the emission of greenhouse gas and rising gas costs, car use is lessening and suburbia may change later on in the future.