Book

Chinatowns: towns within cities in Canada

University of British Columbia Press • Vancouver, B.C. • Published In 1988 • Pages:

By: Lai, Chuen-yan David.

Abstract

This work is a history of Chinatowns in Canada. Lai '…traces the transformation of the physical and cultural landscapes of Canadian Chinatowns from 1858 to 1988, and analyzes their origins, locations, viability, and socio-economic and image changes' (p. xv). There are data in this book on the Chinese immigration to Canada and the changing demographic characteristics of the Chinese people during the period studied. Classifying Chinatowns into four groups - old, new, replaced, and reconstructed historic - Lai focuses on Victoria's Chinatown as a representative example of the historic type. He then employs a 'stage-development' model, consisting of four phases - budding, blooming, withering, and dying (or reviving) - to study the progression of Chinatown development, not only in Victoria, but also throughout North America. Lai also describes '…a public involvement model of community planning which is responsible for the successful rehabilitation project in Victoria - one which has received international recognition' (p. iii).

HRAF PubDate

1995

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Geographer

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle, 1994

Field Date

no date

Coverage Date

ca. 1858-1985

Coverage Place

Canada, various locations, especially Victoria, B.C.

Notes

David Chuenyan Lai

Includes bibliographical references (p. [317]-335) and index

LCCN

c88915552

LCSH

Chinese Canadians