Researchers from ETH Zurich studied Calgary’s urban design and found that the city lacks buildings that would promote denser and more efficient neighborhoods, such as mid-rise apartments and row houses. They also noted the city’s car dependency and the presence of large roads, which hinder walkability. The students emphasized the need for diverse housing options, especially for low-income groups and the elderly. Calgary’s ample land availability contributes to the abundance of affordable standalone houses. The city’s parking lots were highlighted as an opportunity for redevelopment. An assistant professor from the University of Calgary emphasized the importance of learning from other cities’ experiences in urban design. Recently, Calgary’s city council approved new zoning regulations to facilitate the construction of more affordable housing types in suitable areas. However, there have been debates and reversals regarding these changes.
So frustrating to see city councillors originally voting down the housing affordability recommendations because they included zoning for more duplexes, townhouses, etc. Good heavens - it is not like someone is putting up a pig farm in your backyard.
All in all, very cool to see Calgary getting attention on the international stage.
I fully agree with you. What stands out the most from the whole story, politics-wise, is that most councillors are unprepared and don’t understand what they’re doing.
I think first it needs a shift in thinking. Downtown in Europe isn’t a place to work per se. Not like it is here that 99% of the people go there to work and no other reason. It’s not a place that people find attractive to live in.
I lived downtown about 15 years ago and while it was great to go out at night everything else is shit. The noise, no supermarkets, no coffee shops were open apart from offices hours!!! It was just dead on weekends apart from traffic.
They need to rethink downtown and put living before working. Get rid of the office towers and make it a more mixed (not just luxury) living space. Bring in more green space, a real pedestrian zone and events. Make it possible for businesses to live on more than the worker drones that don’t even want to be there!
