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How Calgary plans to reinvent and revitalise its downtown
The Canadian city is investing $350,000 in the University of Calgary’s Civic Commons Catalyst to support the downtown revitalisation research and initiatives.
The City of Calgary is investing $350,000 in the University of Calgary’s Civic Commons Catalyst to help support downtown revitalisation research and initiatives.
As part of its partnership with the university’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL), the investment will support Civic Commons Catalyst researchers as they focus on innovative solutions for economic recovery, downtown reinvention and impactful investment. This project is part of the Urban Alliance, a strategic partnership between the City and the University of Calgary.
Transforming public and private space
Through this funding, the City and SAPL’s Centre for Civilisation are moving forward on a new phase of the Civic Commons Catalyst partnership with a focus on transforming underutilised public and private space.
The City has placed a priority on this area of work through its office to residential conversion programme, projects that are exploring how public space is utilised on Stephen Avenue and 8 Street SW, and working with community organisations to activate and programme public space.
“The transformation of downtown Calgary will yield benefits citywide for generations to come,” said Terry Wong, Ward 7 City of Calgary councillor.
“It is an important example of how great universities and great cities can work together”
“We’re making an investment in the Civic Commons Catalyst because the University of Calgary brings both local and global expertise, along with a focus on innovation and the use of data and research to help address urgent issues Calgarians face daily.”
He continued: “It is my hope that through holistic design-forward thinking and a greater focus on partnerships at the beginning of the process our downtown’s future can be even brighter, more inclusive of all Calgarian needs, and help make centre city the sustainable business core it has the potential to be.”
From novel uses for retired LRT cars, repurposing 4th Avenue as a pedestrian community space, or investigating the viability of hydroponic food production in downtown towers, SAPL said this partnership allows it to bring all its expertise to bear, as it conducts research into these issues, and formulates interventions.
Bringing in stakeholders like building owners, developers, policy-makers and civic leaders is the next step, and facilitates the potential of realising these projects.
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“This research partnership exemplifies the University of Calgary’s commitment to our community and the critical importance that design-based research plays in the shaping of great cities and societies. Downtown Calgary is facing unprecedented challenges from high vacancy rates and social vulnerability that is affecting the quality of life in our city,” added Dr Ed McCauley, president and vice-chancellor, University of Calgary.
“The Civic Commons Catalyst reframes these problems to show how underutilised spatial assets can become opportunities for social, economic, and environmental innovation. It is an important example of how great universities and great cities can work together.”
“It is my hope that through holistic design-forward thinking and a greater focus on partnerships at the beginning of the process our downtown’s future can be even brighter, more inclusive of all Calgarian needs”
According to SAPL, the Civic Commons Catalyst Initiative will enable real change in Calgary’s downtown. Big data, design-at-scale approaches and an interdisciplinary collaborative approach “come together ingeniously” – so Calgary can unlock new future visions and sustain them.
The partnership between the City, SAPL, the Canadian Urban Institute and Reef is the first collaborative example to get kick-started through the Civic Commons Catalyst. Reef is the largest operator of parking real estate in North America, including more than 100 lots in Calgary. Reef works with community partners across Canada to reimagine underutilised urban infrastructure to support healthy and thriving local communities.
A six-month pilot project will engage and gather input from downtown business owners, the real estate sector, academics and other local partners on their priorities for downtown Calgary. These findings will culminate in recommendations to transform locations within Reef’s real estate network to best meet pressing community needs.
Why not try these links to see what our SmartCitiesWorld AI can tell you.
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How can office-to-residential conversions improve downtown Calgary's vibrancy?What innovative uses exist for underutilised public and private spaces downtown?How might hydroponic food production be integrated into downtown tower designs?What role do partnerships play in successful urban revitalisation projects?How can data-driven research enhance economic recovery in urban centres?
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