This text investigates the complex socio-economic and environmental transformations shaping Canadian urban centers in the twenty-first century. Edited by Pierre Filion and Trudi E. Bunting, the volume compiles research from 36 experts across disciplines including geography, sociology, and civil engineering. The authors utilize historical data and contemporary case studies to argue that cities serve as the primary engines of national economic growth while simultaneously acting as the focal points for critical social challenges like poverty and environmental degradation.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational academic resource for understanding the multifaceted nature of Canadian urbanism. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a standard text for university-level urban studies and public policy courses.