Residents of the urban field: A study of wilmot township, Ontario, Canada

This paper examines the characteristics and activity patterns of residents located within the urban field of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. A survey of 100 households in Wilmot Township was undertaken, first, to classify the population according to residential history, and second, to compare their travel patterns for work, shopping and neighbouring activities. Results suggest that the urban field of Kitchener-Waterloo is home to three diverse groups of people: ruralites, homecomers, and newcomers. While both homecomers and newcomers moved directly from an urban location, the former are distinguished by their past rural living experience. The activity patterns of the groups varied significantly. While newcomers retained strong ties with the urban core (K-W), both ruralite groups interacted more frequently with communities in the township. It is concluded that the countryside is a dynamic part of the urban field; one whose structure is considerably more complex than first assumed.