The growth of population was an outstanding feature of the economic and social development of British Columbia, between 1951 and 1961. The effects of this remarkable growth on the distribution of population, among the census subdivisions of the province, is the particular aspect selected for study. Changes in population distribution result from areal inequalities of the rate of population growth and decline. These differences can be analysed in terms of the varying contributions of the natural and migrational components of population change in each part of the province. The "explanation" of redistribution is thus to be found in the factors which influence the action of the components of population change. This apparently straightforward approach to the topic is beset by a number of problems. Some arise from the concepts, methodology and techniques of population studies in general, as they are applied to the data available for the census subdivisions of British Columbia. Changes in the boundaries of the areal units and in the definitions of statistical categories also create difficulties. The demographic basis for the growth of population in the province as a whole is examined in Chapter Three. Several trends produced a greater relative importance of natural increase as a source of population growth, but net migration was still, in the nineteen -fifties, the major component of change. Estimates of the natural and migrational components of population change in each census subdivision, and in certain cities and municipalities are provided. Migration was the primary cause of regional variations in the rate of population change, although natural increase was far from uniform. Several generic types of population change are identified, to demonstrate the demographic processes and causal factors at work. In Chapter Four the growth in each part of the province is set into perspective, by considering the distribution of the total provincial growth of population. In this way, the extent to which each component of change was responsible for the shifts in the distribution of population can be assessed. Migration was more important than natural increase as a mechanism of adjustment between the initial distribution of population and the changes in the factors which shape the distribution pattern. [ ... ] / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

Many regions in the US and Canada have experienced significant growth and development in recent decades. Much of this has taken the form of unrelieved urban and suburban sprawl that has used enormous amounts of land, compromised environmentally sensitive areas, provided few lasting cultural and social benefits, and delivered questionable long-term economic benefits. In response, several senior and regional governments have undertaken growth managementprograms. The general objective of growth management is to control and direct growth and development to avoid, reduce and mitigate negative impacts arising from large scale growth and development in urban areas, and promote the creation of more attractive, efficient and sustainable cities and regions. The thesis argues that the stronger the degree of senior government control - Federal, Provincial or State - over decisions by regional governments the more likely a comprehensive growth management program exists that: includes clearly defined goals; possesses institutional mechanisms to institute growth management; and, utilizes the powers of senior government to help direct and manage growth. The thesis pursues the argument through a literature review and a comparative analysis of selected growth management programs. Analysis of selected cases in British Columbia finds that the Provincial government's growth management legislation and program have been applied in its large, highly urbanized and/or rapidly growing regional districts. However, it is found that the legislation has limited or no applicability to regions experiencing slow growth or decline. A new Provincial planning model, flexible enough to address the needs of all regional districts in British Columbia, is recommended. Based on the concept of a growth and development continuum, an incremental and graduated planning model would give them the opportunity to choose appropriate planning tools, thereby providing the large, highly urbanized and/or rapidly growing regional districts and their local governments with the tools they need to manage growth and change, and slow growing regions and those in decline with the regulatory tools, financial and political support needed to encourage new growth and development. The thesis findings provide guidance to senior and regional governments in British Columbia, Canada and the US to enable them to improve their respective growth management legislation and programs.

Many regions in the US and Canada have experienced significant growth and development in recent decades. Much of this has taken the form of unrelieved urban and suburban sprawl that has used enormous amounts of land, compromised environmentally sensitive areas, provided few lasting cultural and social benefits, and delivered questionable long-term economic benefits. In response, several senior and regional governments have undertaken growth managementprograms. The general objective of growth management is to control and direct growth and development to avoid, reduce and mitigate negative impacts arising from large scale growth and development in urban areas, and promote the creation of more attractive, efficient and sustainable cities and regions. The thesis argues that the stronger the degree of senior government control - Federal, Provincial or State - over decisions by regional governments the more likely a comprehensive growth management program exists that: includes clearly defined goals; possesses institutional mechanisms to institute growth management; and, utilizes the powers of senior government to help direct and manage growth. The thesis pursues the argument through a literature review and a comparative analysis of selected growth management programs. Analysis of selected cases in British Columbia finds that the Provincial government's growth management legislation and program have been applied in its large, highly urbanized and/or rapidly growing regional districts. However, it is found that the legislation has limited or no applicability to regions experiencing slow growth or decline. A new Provincial planning model, flexible enough to address the needs of all regional districts in British Columbia, is recommended. Based on the concept of a growth and development continuum, an incremental and graduated planning model would give them the opportunity to choose appropriate planning tools, thereby providing the large, highly urbanized and/or rapidly growing regional districts and their local governments with the tools they need to manage growth and change, and slow growing regions and those in decline with the regulatory tools, financial and political support needed to encourage new growth and development. The thesis findings provide guidance to senior and regional governments in British Columbia, Canada and the US to enable them to improve their respective growth management legislation and programs. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate