Mapping the Economic History and Assets of Niagara in a
Changing World

There is a rich body of literature attesting to the importance of regions and cities as critical threads within the wider fabric of a nation’s economy and global competitiveness. The history of economic growth and development of large cities and regions worldwide is well documented. However, midsized regions are often overlooked in the extant literature.

This project rests on the central premise that our current understanding of economic development trends in midsized regions like Niagara and insight into the underlying forces that shape their economic resilience, adaptability, growth and development is still inadequate. Yet these midsized regions have emerged over the past few decades as dynamic centres exhibiting the most potential for adaptive and nimble economic reinvention in an age of breakneck industrial restructuring. This project sheds light on trends and transformations in Niagara from the early 1800s to the present day against the backdrop of global tectonic shifts in technologies, markets, human migration and ideas.

Charles Conteh

Brock University

January 2024