Which historical transportation modes shaped the development of Canadian cities until the 1860s?

The development of Canadian cities until the 1860s was primarily influenced by transportation modes that were accessible and practical for the era. The use of foot travel, alongside horse-drawn vehicles and carts, played a significant role in urban planning and city growth during this time.

In the absence of advanced infrastructure like railways or the widespread use of automobiles, which only became prevalent in the following decades, urban development relied heavily on walking as a basic mode of transportation. Horses provided a more efficient means for longer distances and for transporting goods, while carts facilitated trade and commerce within cities and between them.

Cities began to take shape around roads and pathways that accommodated these modes, influencing their layout, land use, and population distribution. The need for accessibility and connectivity among neighborhoods emphasized the role of foot traffic and simple vehicles in the organization of urban environments until the landscape started to change with the advent of railway systems after the 1860s.