Interdisciplinary Perspective
In order to understand the complex reality of issues such as climate change, the persistence of poverty or the HIV/AIDS pandemic, no one discipline can provide a complete explanation. Complex issues are best understood after a thorough examination using a variety of disciplinary approaches.
To work from a local example, brownfields – former industrial sites now often abandoned due to contamination – present an extremely complex challenge. Economically, they represent a major drain on municipal resources. Landowners may be resident in other countries and in arrears on their taxes. Politically, brownfields can pit the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government against one another as they seek to determine which level of government has responsibility for the problem.
Historically, there are a number of reasons why Brantford has so many brownfields. Up until the Great War, Brantford was the third most important industrial centre in Canada, after only Toronto and Montreal. However, its influence was heavily concentrated in the manufacture of farm implements and when this industry began to decline it had a disastrous impact on the local economy. Psychologically, the prevalence of brownfield sites has contributed to a negative self-image in Brantford. However, in recent years, the cleaning up of former industrial sites – to make way for new housing or parks for example – has fostered a much more positive outlook in the community.
Historically, there are a number of reasons why Brantford has so many brownfields. Up until the Great War, Brantford was the third most important industrial centre in Canada, after only Toronto and Montreal. However, its influence was heavily concentrated in the manufacture of farm implements and when this industry began to decline it had a disastrous impact on the local economy. Psychologically, the prevalence of brownfield sites has contributed to a negative self-image in Brantford. However, in recent years, the cleaning up of former industrial sites – to make way for new housing or parks for example – has fostered a much more positive outlook in the community.
