Infrastructure and Economic Prosperity

Infrastructure and Economic Prosperity

A famous Canadian geographer was once quoted saying, “ …any region which has a well developed transportation and communication network also enjoys a high degree of economic prosperity…”. This statement has sparked much controversy between geographers, as well as economists. The argument is, is there a direct link between a developed infrastructure and economic prosperity. Without a doubt, there is a direct link between economic prosperity and a well-developed system of transportation and communication. It is possible to understand this direct link by reviewing and comparing the infrastructure and economy of three different cities. Toronto has well-developed transportation and communication systems, North Bay has terrible communication and transportation systems, and Brampton has just recently developed their communication and transportation systems.

In order to understand the direct link between infrastructure and the economy, which will be illustrated by the three cities, it is important to know the history of transportation and the economy. Land transportation first began with the carrying of goods by people. The ancient civilizations of Central America, Mexico, and Peru transported materials in that fashion over long roads and bridges. The first road vehicles were two-wheeled carts, with stone disks as wheels, used by the Sumerians in 3000 B.C.E.. The Chinese constructed the first road system under the Chou dynasty in 1000 B.C.E.. In Asia, the camel caravan served to transport goods and people. The first system of transportation by sailing was created by the Phoenicians, and was used to ship goods of high value, such as gems, spices, and fine handiwork. This form of transportation is first written about with King Solomon, “…ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.” The advances in transportation led to the development of metropolitan centres. From the history it is shown that it is impossible to have a strong economy without transportation and communication. Transportation and communication are the two essential factors for importing and exporting, the two keys to a healthy economy.

Toronto is sometimes called “the city that works” . Toronto has a well-developed transportation system, which includes numerous highways, a well-planned road system, and a superb transit system, the TTC. The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), has 1,701 buses, 248 streetcars, 640 subway cars, 146 wheelchair transit buses, 66 stations, 8,491 employees, and is the second largest transit system in North America. Toronto has many highways, such as the 400 series highways (400, 401, etc.