Urbanization (Vancouver Housing & Density) A November 2025 news release from the City of Vancouver showed that the city completed 4,850 new homes in a single year, exceeding provincial targets through rapid, transit-oriented development. This can be seen as a reflection to the historical process of urbanization discussed in Unit 3, where cities expand the land use and reshape it to build an environment that can accommodate the growing population. In the past, urban growth often caused environmental damage through car dependence and others; this article shows a shift or change toward compact development that uses existing infrastructure more efficiently….

A November 2025 news release from the City of Vancouver showed that the city completed 4,850 new homes in a single year, exceeding provincial targets through rapid, transit-oriented development. This can be seen as a reflection to the historical process of urbanization discussed in Unit 3, where cities expand the land use and reshape it to build an environment that can accommodate the growing population. In the past, urban growth often caused environmental damage through car dependence and others; this article shows a shift or change toward compact development that uses existing infrastructure more efficiently. It shows how modern urban…

This particular article describes how the Ontario government took away some of the protection afforded to the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park in order to allow redevelopment, which has raised concerns among environmental groups about the loss of natural habitat. This is related to what we learned un Unit 3 about parks and conservation, namely how political and economic forces can work against protected areas and natural habitats. This particular case illustrates the importance of the unit’s theme that the creation of a park is merely the beginning, and that it takes public support to maintain the protection of the park….

Dr. Mark Butorac HIST 3991: Environmental History Capri Holm February 16, 2026 A recent example of national parks’ shift from preservation to tourism is the desire to reduce traffic at Lake Louise (Colgan). Colgan argued that the vast increase in tourism and traffic has overwhelmed the parks’ infrastructure, increasing pollution and pressure on wildlife and thereby threatening ecological stability. This directly correlates with Sandlos’s work, in which he discussed the historical shift from preservation to tourism within the national parks. Specifically, Sandlos noted that previously attracting and hosting large numbers of visitors to parks had caused ecological problems (66) and…

Binnema and Niemi (2006): This article highlights the exclusionary practices in Banff National Park, reflecting a historical trend where conservation efforts disregarded Indigenous peoples’ rights and presence. This connects to discussions on how early conservation movements often prioritized wilderness preservation at the expense of Indigenous communities, leading to displacement and loss of traditional lands (Binnema & Niemi, 2006). It challenges us to consider the ethical implications of conservation policies and the importance of inclusive approaches that respect Indigenous rights and knowledge. Cronon (1995): Cronon’s critique of wilderness as a social construct is relevant to discussions on how our perception of…