YES2021 – Community Planning Studio I - (Tyler)

Year End Show MPlan Winter 2021

COMMUNITY PLANNING STUDIO MARIA GALDON | TERESA GOLDSTEIN | DOUG LEIGHTON | MARY-ELLEN TYLER

University of Calgary School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape

THE SITE The project site is typical of land that lies at the edge of Calgary; it is as much a tabula rasa and pristine as it is programmed and disturbed. It was once a place where extant and undesirable uses were sited, as they were outside of the developed city, but have now become enveloped by recent and proposed development.

It includes an extremely wide range of uses, including the University of Calgary Spy Hill Campus and Veterinary School (with associated grazing paddocks), a water reservoir, the new Rocky Ridge Recreational Centre (Shane Homes YMCA), a remand centre, a gravel pit and hundreds of acres of open land. The site has an unusual ‘kame and kettle’ glacial topography and some patches of native vegetation.

These areas have experienced a variety of planning pressures throughout the previous three decades, with existing planning policies established in the late 1990s/ early 2000s. These areas are effectively un-planned and pre-date contemporary planning approaches for both the City of Calgary Municipal Development Plan (2009) and the County Plan (2013).

Given this lack of urban form, disparate context and collection of existing land uses - what is the vision for the future of this area? What is its ‘highest and best use’ in both planning and economic terms and what ecological and landscape elements should be preserved or enhanced? What is the “ideal” type of urban form from which to draw planning and design inspiration and achieve this vision?

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CONTENTS 4 - 8 SPY HILL CITY FARMS

24 - 28 CONVERGENCE NORTH

9 - 13 CONNECTING SPY HILL

29 - 33 DOWNTOWN SPY HILL

SARA BOULOS | JAY HEULE | RACHEL SMIGELSKI

NILENDU BALA | NISHA COCHRAN | GAURAV PRASAD

14 - 18 NW PASSAGE

HAILEY BLOOM | ALLISON DAVELAAR | MEGAN HORACHEK

AMELIA IWANICKI | CHRISTINE BERGER | ZEEL PATEL

CONNOR MACDONALD | KIRANDEEP KAUR | LOGAN BARTHOLOW

34 - 38 PARKCITY

ARI GOLDSTEIN | BERNADINE MONTERO | SARAH SHAW

19 - 23 GATEWAY TO INNOVATION

BEN DORE | KEVIN BAILEY | TERRENCE CHENG

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SPY HILL CITY FARMS SARA BOULOS | JAY HEULE | RACHEL SMIGELSKI

AGRICULTURE SCALES

Spy Hill City Farms will be a community built around food, diversity, and lifelong learning on Calgary’s edge, creating significant local employment opportunities. The Plan Area comprises 538 hectares of industrial land along the northwest boundary of Calgary and Rocky View County, that will be redeveloped to create a complete community with a projected 10,300 jobs for the 21,700 residents who call Spy Hill home.

REGIONAL FOOD CONTEXT Backyard Garden

Airdrie Community Garden

25 km

Small Commercial Farms Innovative Agriculture Approaches

PRINCIPLES

Cochrane

10 km

VISION + CONCEPT

Calgary

Diversified Land Use A varied mix of land use types and sizes Compact Urban Form Increase density for sustainable and green community design

The different scales of urban agriculture, on an opperational level, that support local food.

Regional Connection Walking, biking, and transit connectivity to communities beyond

TYPOLOGIES

Chestermere

Community Garden

Duplex

Rowhouse

Courtyard Apartment

Low Rise Apartment

Live Work

Shared Experiences Spaces for diverse community learning and interaction

Urban Produce Farm

Liveable + Walkable Comfortable and engaging pedestrian experiences Greener City Food sustainability, green infrastructure, and accessible natural environments 4

Farmers Market (year round) Farmers Market (summer) Community Garden A range of mid density residential typologies, with blocks oriented East West to maximumize solar exposure and growing conditions.

Different scales of food production and distribution in the Calgary region, demonstrating a growing demand for local agriculture, yet large local food islands outside of Calgary’s inner city.

MASTER PLAN CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

Topography + Existing Uses

Primary Street Network

Community Design

Active Transportation

Defining Calgary’s Edge The Master Plan for Spy Hill City Farms - Growing Together. Key metrics include a density of 68 units/ha, intensity of 60 people and jobs/ha, 5 school sites, and 41% greenspace achieved through uses that serve multiple purposes.

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NODE 1: URBAN MARKET The urban market illustrates how diversified land use will look on the ground level, creating harmonious transitions between vastly different uses and needs. Focusing on urban food production and distribution that ties into the residential environment, the urban market is the main feature of this neighbourhood centre, creating space for cultural connection of Spy Hill’s various residents, business owners, and visitors. The mix of diverse residential typologies, retail, office, and agriculture based industrial land uses create a walkable, liveable community.

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3

1

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7

12

8

10

Market Street runs north south through the site, and provides a balance of multimodal transportation, including shared street car vehicle lanes, separated bike lanes, and generous sidewalks.

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14 15 The transitions between various land uses help create a comfortable and functional built environment.

1 2 3 4 5

Food Production and Distribution Open Air Urban Market Mid Rise Office Buildings Pedestrian Market Plaza Indoor Urban Market

13 6 7 8 9 10

Low Density Residential Community Garden & Playground Market Street Mid Density Residential Rooftop Greenhouse

11 12 13 14 15

Kame & Kettle Public Plaza Pedestrian Laneway & Patio Stormwater Wetland Observation Platform Spy Hill Regional Park 0

6

25

50

100

m

±

NODE 2: AGRICULTURAL CAMPUS The agriculture campus demonstrates the relationship between the university and agriculture by showing the role that research plays in urban food production, as well as the universities role in lifelong learning. To achieve this, there is programming set up around the campus centred around public education on food. Other key areas for this node include private research plots, where there is no public access to ensure the accuracy of research. A plaza is included as a central focal point to help draw people into the space, but also understanding that this is still a main university campus, and having public spaces supports universities and visitors to the area. Lastly, this node demonstrates the interface between residential and an agriculture university campus.

1 1

2 2

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5

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3 8 13 10 9

13 11

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1 A private research plot is provided with no public access to ensure the safety of research conducted.

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1 2 3 4 5

A public demonstration plot, where members of the community are free to attend classes to learn more about local food production.

Mid-Density Residential Demonstration Plots Orchard Demonstration Lab/Classroom University Buildings

6 7 8 9 10

Demonstration Green House Research Green Houses Research Plot Commercial Plaza

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11 12 13 14

Open + Covered Seating area Cafe Research Buildings Offices

0

25

50

100

m

± 7

NODE 3: SPY HILL TOWN CENTRE Spy Hill Town Centre is a landmark at the edge of Spy Hill’s commercial main street, known as Market Street. The Spy Hill Streetcar line runs along Market Street, allowing Town Centre to be highly accessible. Community aspects are combined with food and lifelong learning through community gardens located at the end of every block, as well as rooftop greenhouses and green roofs. Town Centre is home to a community kitchen that hosts cooking classes in the evening and allows for residents to share their love of food amongst each other. Next door is a local cafe, and further west is a row of commercial buildings, which front directly onto the Town Centre and provide an outdoor patio space. The Town Centre also hosts a range of local programming, including a bi-weekly market, food trucks, and ice skating and winter festivals in the colder months.

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3 2

10 14

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15 Spy Hill’s Town Centre provides for a community based approach to agriculture and learning

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1 2 3 4 5 6 The Community Orchard, where Spy Hill residents are free to partake in harvesting the fruit trees during the fall.

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L ocal Rooftop Greenhouse Community Garden University Campus Community Orchard Commercial Orchard Market Street Commercial

7 8 9 10 11 12

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13 14 15 16 17

Market Street Food Trucks Community Kitchen Town Centre Cafe Multi-Season Water Feature Town Centre Market 0

25

Outdoor Patio Mid Density Row Housing Bicycle Street Mid Density Residential Green Roof

50

100

m

±

Connecting Spy Hill NILENDU BALA | NISHA COCHRAN | GAURAV PRASAD

INTRODUCTION For this project we were challenged to explore an urban space in transition, in the ever expanding edge of Northwest Calgary

Existing Conditions & Site Analysis Site location as per assignment brief

A city can be defined by its public realm and design; that is, how it uses its public spaces and places its buildings, roads and the urban environment. As such we believe our concept and design should revolve around some core considerations includes: A) Maximising urban connections through various aspects such as transportation, Innovation and employment.

B ) Protecting the existing physio-natural features such as wetlands, overall topography and preserving Green spaces.

C ) And lastly Incorporating Multi density // Multiincome housing in contrast to the surrounding residential uses.

VISION + CONCEPT

Site context

Principles

In 2050 Spy hill will be a booming connectivity hub for the north Calgary metropolitan area. Where people come from across the region to live, work, travel, play and connect.

Connection is integral to a functional, successful, happy community. Humans need social and community connections, places we can gather and enjoy, connection to paths, natural spaces, transportation systems; education, employment, innovation and creation, directly within our communities.

As the importance of regional connection and considerations grow and the residential development continues to expand in the Calgary Metropolitan area there is an immediate need for a connection hub on Calgary’s NW edge.

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Master Plan

NODE 1 The node comprises of industry, internodal transport terminals - bus and hyperloop stations, mixed use spaces, co-working spaces, retails on ground floor, hotels etc.

Light industry comprises of Food Production, Consumer Electronics, Home and Office Furnishings, Automotive Assembly,Garment Manufacturing, etc.

NODE 2 This node has been chosen out of three similar locations to illustrates that how the major roads connects the surrounding residential community with the transportation hub. There are total three such roads or access point to our site which provides direct road access to the hub with 45 metre Right of way from east , south and west direction.

NODE 3

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Our third node is located in the mixed use area in the south-west of the site. Similar to places such as Frederiksberg, Denmark the large buildings of this node incorporate a mix of uses, with residential on the upper floors and retail or commercial located on the ground floors. The buildings along the main strip are set back on their lots in order to maximize the public plaza and park spaces, which incorporate community garden plots, movable street furniture and ample tree coverage.

Node 1: Transportation NILENDU BALA The bus terminal of the node consists of two levels to facilitate more buses. The arrival and departure terminal are completely independent of each other but having pedestrians connectivity . The arrows denotes the vehicular access of the buses as it arrives , goes for sanitation then heads for departure. The flow is designed so that there is ample flexibility of the bus movement. The mixed use comprises of hotels, co-working spaces as well as retails on the ground floor. This space is fully pedestrianized and is linked with the hyper-loop terminal. It also has a central urban spaces which can be used for various purposes like exhibition, local market etc. the entire mixed use spaces has underground parking with ramps on two ends.

The cross section shows the seamless connection between the mixed use and the hyper-loop terminal. The hyper-loop has a pedestrian plaza connecting it to the mixed use area. The greenery reinvigorates the urban space.

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Node 2: Industrial GAURAV PRASAD This node is situated on one of the main road located on the east side. There is a layover for food truck around the storm water and during the lunch and off time it will provide space to the employees for eating, assuming that the storm water will not be filled to top throughout the year and the upper steps of the storm water reservoir would be used as extra sitting place. The roads is mixed street comprising retail and commercial on the left and industrial plots of 3 different sizes to accommodate small medium and large industries in the north to for future industrial growth as well as to create employment opportunities within the site. The commercial along the left of the streets will cater the travelers who are driving or walking towards the hub, it will have showrooms, small shops, restaurant and eat outs to provide quick on the way facility. On the right side of the street will have a central park and a storm water surrounded by industries.

This is the cross section showing the divisions and dimension of the main street and giving the typical view while traveling from surrounding community towards the hyper-loop and leading to the transport hub, now if we see the cross section, it has 2 meter sidewalk for pedestrians 20 meter carriage on both of the sides , with a median of 2 meter in the middle and 9 meters buffer strip on the right hand, the purpose of this green strip is to provide a barrier between the nuisance which may arise from industrial side, the trees will restrict disturbance from the industrial side and will help in keeping the shopping side noise and pollution free.

This is the perspective view showing the typical view while traveling from surrounding community towards the hyper-loop and leading to the transport hub. The park is complementary features and will act as a recreational green space for the workers of the industrial area as well the shoppers on the other side. The park has jogging track and a covered area in the center where anyone can sit and have eatable. adjacent to the park is a cafe located within the industrial pocket and connected to the park by paved surface. the green strip connect the park straight unto zebra crossing at the end of the road and provides a continuous green walking environment on the sidewalks along the road.

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Node 3: Mixed Use NISHA COCHRAN The street has been designed as a Woonerf, with no division between driving and walking spaces encouraging community play while forcing cars to drive at a slower pace.; further aggrandizing the pedestrian importance by pulling the accessible public space into what is traditionally reserved for automobile traffic.

Although a Dutch concept, various interpretations of this, people orientated design can be seen globally, Including a proposed Woonerf for Banff Alberta’ Bear Street. In 2050 Spy Hill cars are the exception rather than the rule, increasing social connections and opportunities while enabling an efficient use of space.

By planting street trees between the parking and cycling lanes the primary travel roads adjacent to the site utilize the parked vehicles as a pedestrian and cyclist buffer, making non vehicular travel more comfortable and enticing. The large community plazas create a activated space for people to rest, play, connect and come together.

Connection is imperative to human communities, social connections, connection to paths, natural spaces, transportation systems; connections to jobs and education all enable a successful lively place. Through the diversified uses, prioritized pedestrian and public spaces, and accessible alternative transportation methods this mixed use node projects the priorities of the master plan; Connecting Spy Hill.

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NW PASSAGE HAILEY BLOOM | ALLISON DAVELAAR | MEGAN HORACHEK REMNANT FESCUE GRASSLAND

INTRODUCTION

Bow Va

lley T ra

il

SITE

NW

(H

wy 1A )

(H

er

l ai Tr

NOSE HILL

Trans-Canada (Hwy 1)

Remnant Fescue Grassland

DOWNTOWN CALGARY

0

1.5

3

6 km

Patches of remnant fescue grassland, the previously dominant matrix ecosystem in Calgary, are scattered around our site.

VISION + GOALS Our vision for the NW Passage is restoring the connectivity of the fragmented natural landscape, and setting an ecological standard for designing future communities with the natural world.

SITE

wy

ek re eC

Bow River

fo ot

1)

De

0 Stoney Trail (Hw y 2

Cr ow ch ild Tr ail

ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

Prairie Grassland Habitat

Airdrie Proposed Future Crossing

Parkland Habitat

Deerf

oot T rail

SITE

Proposed Underpasses

Rocky View County

SITE SITE

These river valleys, or riparian areas, are prime movement corridors for wildlife. We established our ecological corridor to link the two.

ney

Sto

W

il N Tra

City of Calgary

Crowchild Trail

Bow Valley Trail

02. Develop distinct districts that concentrate high density human activities furthest from the corridor.

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Moose are highly impacted from development. Research shows that moose have been migrating from boreal or forested regions, to grassland regions where there is more food and fewer predators.

LINKING RIVER VALLEYS SLOPE + TERRAIN

GOALS: 01. Connect the NW Passage to other corridors throughout the region, while prioritizing ecological integrity within the development.

03. Enhance existing environmental characteristics and protect the ecology on site

COLLISION CLUSTERS

2)

SPY HILL

os tN es W

The NW Passage will be Calgary’s Living Corridor, with restored connectivity of the fragmented natural landscape, we aim to set an ecological standard for new community development. We will balance the push and pull between humans and nature, recognizing our own impact on the natural world, and the importance of nature in our lives. As human development pushes outward, habitats are fragmented, and connections between remaining patches disappear. Despite the disturbance to it, our site is a key link in this network of habitat patches for wildlife movement and refuge. This connection must be maintained and enhanced for wildlife to continue to have a presence in this area.

DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS

We are proposing an ecological corridor that facilitates wildlife movement, connecting to other habitat patches and corridors. This will enhance biodiversity + integrate nature into the urban fabric.

MASTER PLAN Glacier Ridge 144th Avenue

CONCEPT: PUSH Pushing nature in. Redefining the site based on enhancing the ecological integrity.

al gic ge olo r/ ed c e do rri co

Passage Park U of C

do

r

1 Passage Campus

cal

ri

University NW

CONCEPT: PULL re

St

2

Pulling people in. Developing centres that pull people and activities together

School

et

Rocky View Road

gi Ecolo

r Co

Trail

h

t 85 Central Passage

Wildlife Movement

al gic ge olo r/ ed c e do rri co

Commercial Greenspace Industrial Institutional

Future Development

Mixed-use

Garden Grove

3

YMCA

Health Centre

Residential - HD

NW Village

0

112th Avenue

250

Residential - MD

CONCEPT: DIFFUSE

Residential - LD

Diffusing nature through land use. Weaving urban green ways through the development.

500

1,000 m

l ica e log edg o ec dor/ rri co

to Tuscany LRT Our three concepts built the foundation of our master plan. Passage Park, a key patch in the ecological corridor, and is the highlight of our design, offering abundant recreational opportunities to residents and visitors. The NW Passage is comprised of four distinct communities: NW village, Garden Grove, Central Passage, and University NW.

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NODE 1: CORRIDOR The corridor node is the confluence of several different conditions, and is in itself a transitional space, akin to an ecotone. Ecotones are areas of enhanced biodiversity, as they contain a unique combination of species and conditions from neighbouring ecozones. At this node we envision a meeting of various users, from the bird watchers seeking the serenity of Passage Park, to tourists visiting the attraction of the wetland plaza, or university researchers monitoring the corridor. Here, the urban green network leads back to the corridor and Passage Park, acting as a central access point for recreation and education. Nature’s push is evident here, with the extensive park space buffering the corridor from the urban edge, the pull of humans to commercial attractions next to nature, and the urban green network of parks and wetlands stretching into the built environment.

N 0

Beyond the corridor trail is the domain of wildlife and the ecological corridor, where bird watching and animal sightings are common, nurturing a respect and appreciation for the natural world.

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50 m

The corridor node is an access point for the community to use the corridor trail for recreation or commuting across the site. The intermediate park space offers protection to the corridor and provides ephemeral ponds to capture spring rain and snowmelt which infiltrates into ground water, purifying the water before it re-enters the hydrologic network.

Natural Wetland 0

25 m

Corridor Trail

Ephemeral Pond

Park Road

Plaza Wetland

Plaza

The plaza and adjacent streets host commercial attractions like restaurants with patios overlooking Passage Park, retail shopping, and entertainment like the Butterlfy Gardens, providing a range of human experiences with nature as a backdrop.

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Main Road

Constructed Wetland 0

25

50 m

Natural wetlands provide habitat and carbon storage, while constructed wetlands connect to the natural system to manage excess stormwater. Zonation in the wetlands mimics their natural function and hydrologic processes.

NODE 2: POLLINATOR NODE The pollinator node is designed for both people and nature, diffusing nature through the urban fabric and people through the natural fabric of our site. Much like a wildlife crossing for animals, we have a similar crossing for humans to safely cross the roundabout and access the central plaza.

The organically shaped bridge travels through a thick forested area on either side, meeting at a central viewing point. A linear crossing cuts through the site to allow for pedestrians of all physical abilities to access the middle of the roundabout safely. Habitat loss and fragmentation within urban areas has had a negative impact on insect populations and ecological function. With non-invasive flowering plants and berry producing trees, we can create habitat and provide food for pollinators to thrive, while adding natural beauty for humans to enjoy.

50 m

N Pollinator Point is a place for people to connect to the surrounding green networks, connect to each other in a community-oriented space, and to connect to valuable wildlife within an urban environment.

The pollinator node is pulling people and wildlife into a central area, balancing the push and pull between nature and urban form, leading to a dynamic and resilient space for all urban life.

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Restaurants + Retail

Sidewalk

Road

Pollinator Point

Road

Sidewalk

50 m

Restaurants + Retail 20m

A bridge links the surrounding green network, further connecting humans with nature.

A lively sidewalk scene integrated with nature creates a vibrant space for the community.

Within the middle of the roundabout is a park known as Pollinator Point, a space designed for people to enjoy nature’s beauty and to create an appreciation for small but significant insects and birds. Nature is being pushed into a space that would normally function only for vehicles, making better use of an otherwise dead space.

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NODE 3: URBAN NODE In re-examining what sustainable development means for all species and the environment. The urban node highlights the ability to create a vibrant community while diffusing natural elements throughout the site at different scales to increase the biodiversity and ecological integrity.

An urban corridor will weave and diffuse throughout the built environment connecting the urban node to the surrounding neighbourhoods, and finally pulling people into the central plaza. In creating a point of convergence for this neighbourhood, the plaza is anchored by a bazaar. To the West a community association provides a backdrop to public life within the plaza, further generating community networks and providing an identity to the space. To the Northeast a neighbourhood school vertically diffuses pubic to private uses, to ensure efficient land use.

OFFICE

Neighbourhood School

RESIDENTIAL W O O N E R F

Bazaar

RETAIL / SERVICE Community Association

PUBLIC / INSTITUTIONAL

0

100 m

Pulling into the plaza, a large outdoor skating rink at the Northwest corner will draw people into this site during the winter months.

RES RES RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL

OFFICE OFFICE OFFICE OFFICE

RETAIL PAARKKINGG

RESTAURANT PARKING

CAFE 0

Throughout the plaza benches have been integrated with planters, channeling movement through the space, while trees define rooms.

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During the spring, summer, and fall, the plaza will have synergies with the community association, and neighbourhood school. Where programmed outdoor fitness will take place, ping pong tournaments, and concerts. The centre of the plaza will provide a space for gatherings throughout the year.

20 m

Diffusing between the built form, the urban corridor weaves a series of backyards, and pedestrian movement systems, nurturing an area of reprieve, self-restoration, and habitat. In the spring and summer the woonerf is transitioned into a farmers market, strengthening social networks.

GATEWAY TO INNOVATION BEN DORE | KEVIN BAILEY | TERRENCE CHENG

INTRODUCTION

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

SURROUNDING CONTEXT

The site of the Spyhill redevelopment sector presents a unique opportunity: sitting at the city limits, it invites people from Rockyview County into northwest Calgary, and while it exists along a perimeter of suburban developments, ir brims with potential as a permeable space along this perimeter. It is a break in the boundary, and a gateway to the city

VISION

CONCEPT

A gateway can be a proposition — either passage or enclosure depending on if it is open or shut, but it can also be an entry, the last step before embarking on something new that will generate excitement and curiosity.

This is the vision for this site: to establish a space along the perimeter of Calgary that acts as a gateway to innovation and opportunity.

With the Nose Creek Corridor provind a spine for the site, it was determined that the rest of the area was to create an innovation district, with 3 research and job creation hubs in education, healthcare, and technology complementing the existing recreation hub on site — the Shane Homes YMCA. These large scale institutional uses would be lightning rods for large scale community development

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MASTER PLAN GATEWAY TO EDUCTION The University of Calgary Spyhill campus is the gateway to Education.

The selected node highlights the critical transition point between the community of Gateway South and the university campus, which upon final build out will serve as a highly distinguishable landmark and gathering space. With open plazas and connective pathways, it is expected to be an area of free and unrestricted movement.

GATEWAY TO TECHNOLOGY Situated at the Northwest corner of our masterplan, the gateway to technology becomes a prelude to the integration between work and play in Calgary.

GATEWAY TO HEALTHCARE The Spy Hill Medical Center is the gateway to healthcare, and brings access to medical services for the people of North Calgary, Aidrie, Cochrane, and Rocky View County, while reducing the strain on Calgary’s current medical facilities. Acting as the anchor for the Gateway North Community, the Spy Hill Medical Center brings state of the art technology and medical care into Spy Hill.

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NODE 1: EDUCATION Gateway believes that connections to the community are critical, but with the open green spaces, plazas and minimum 2 metre pathways, unrestricted movement across these connections is also a major feature. Given that this is a place of higher learning, there are many opportunities programmed in for students to study, mingle and play within these spaces of exploration, and the accommodation of complete streets promotes targets for tree canopy coverage, stormwater recapture and filtration, and multimodal carbon free movement.

CAMPUS TO THE CORE

GATEWAY TO EDUCATION DETAIL PLAN

WAYFINDING + GATHERING

STREET SECTION

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NODE 2: TECHNOLOGY

Built with connections in mind, a north-south connection is created through the daycare and café, located right beside Spyhill Park. This connection is continued east to west with “the spot” – a plaza located east of the bus loop and labeled as #5 on the plan. This space welcomes outsiders, community members, and workers with food trucks during lunch break, live tunes from the musicians, and small events farmers market on the weekends. Along with the potential connections created, innovative startups and creatives minds will migrate to the area, which will continue to help stimulate the city’s economy. With dense neighbourhoods, public services such as transit can be offered more frequently, which encourages residents to keep their cars at home and utilize active transportation

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EARLY EVENINGS AT THE SPYHILL LOOP

GATEWAY TO TECHNOLOGY DETAIL PLAN

LATE AFTERNOON AT “THE SPOT”

STREET SECTION

NODE 3: HEALTHCARE

This node has been designed with connections in mind and complementary programming around the hospital focuses on convenience for both the patient and their loved ones.

We see this as a place for not only patients who are ill or staying at the hospital, but a hub for multigenerational living that will spill out into the community, beyond the boundaries of just this node. Increased vegetation and well planned exterior environments around the site create both a physical and visual connection for patients in the health care facilities. Even if patients are unable to leave, views into the Nose Creek Corridor create a calm and relaxing environment and can reduce stress and lower pain perception.

HEALTH + RECREATION

HEALTHY LIVING

GATEWAY TO HEALTHCARE DETAIL PLAN

TRANSITION TO THE NOSE CREEK CORRIDOR

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CONVERGENCE NORTH Amelia Iwanicki, Christine Berger, Zeel Patel

INTRODUCTION Our site is on the NW corner of Calgary, just north of the community of Rocky Ridge.

It is on the very edge of the city, sharing a border with Rocky View County. There is opportunity to create a community that emphasizes links to the surrounding communities of Cochrane and Airdrie.

The site is currently home to a few notable uses - a state of the art YMCA exists in the very SW corner of the site. The Spy Hill Campus and correctional facilities are currently located in the SE, and a gravel extraction operation takes up much of the site’s interior.

This context map shows the location of our site as well as potential connections to the surrounding communities of Airdrie and Cochrane.

VISION + CONCEPT Convergence North is a diverse and vibrant community that respects the quality of its environment, fosters a sense of community and family, encourages an active lifestyle, and supports a wide range of business opportunities to promotes a prosperous economy. It is where Identities and energies intersect.

The four core principles of our vision are shown above. If the above criteria are met, we believe Convergence North will be a vibrant, inclusive development.

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The diagrams above show the aforementioned four core principles in more detail, and how each will be set up within Convergence North as well as potential connections between the land uses and institutions planned for the area.

MASTER PLAN NODE 1 Node one lies at the heart of the community, and offers shopping, professional services, medium to high density housing built around a central park and event space. This space is close to the natural corridor that runs through the site, so a nature walk is only a couple minutes away.

This node will be built as part of the first phase of development.

Node 3

NODE 2 Node 1

Node 2

Located in the SW of node 1, the second node acts as a transit hub for the community. It will provide transit connections to and from the surrounding region, including Airdrie and Cochrane, as well as the rest of Calgary. Node 2 will be part of the second phase of development.

NODE 3

The final master plan incorporates the existing YMCA, as well as a Spy Hill Campus expansion with student housing. A mix of low to high density housing exists throughout the site, with the highest density housing surrounding the central commercial district as well as the northern light industrial area. The large mixed use area on the eastern side of the site will be home to an entertainment district - close to the university expansion and the core of the site.

Located in the NW corner of the community, the live/work area boasts economic opportunites and urban living. It will provide mixed housing types and a connected way of living with fellow neighbours and regional members. Commuter safety is considered in this node. Node 3 will be part of the third phase of development.

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NODE 1: THE CORE Located at the heart of our community, the Core provides residents with a central gathering place that features a park, a fountain, and a programmed event space complete with a stage, which will house temporary art by local artists when not in use. The woonerf allows for pedestrians and cyclists to move about freely and safely while the bollards on the edge are raised. This space works well for farmer’s markets and pop-up events. A central library, patios, and medium to high density housing further activate the area and ensures economic and social vibrancy. Bus stops exist to bring people to and from the Core. All demographics are welcome, and event programming should support the diversity found in the area. This space is truly one of convergence.

A

B

B’

A’

The view as one emerges from the pedestrian mew onto the woonerf. The walls on either side of the mew are to be made up of windows for users’ safety and comfort.

The woonerf and event space with a stage in the background are visible as one walks out of the market space and heads east. These spaces will be active and inviting.

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The plan for the core shows the central focus: the park and event space meant to bring together energies and identities. A fountain to separate the two, and they are surrounded by ground floor retail, professional office space, and medium to high density housing to ensure the area is vibrant

Section A-A’ shows the building heights, step backs, the woonerf, and park. Adjustable bollards will be in place to allow car traffic at certain times.

Section B-B’ shows the street widths of most roads in the area as well as the main building that will include a market space as an anchor and professional services.

NODE 2: TRANSIT HUB

A transport hub is a place where passengers exchange modes of public transport. This Transit Centre is a modern transit hub which will be implemented as part of the second phase of Convergence North, providing a one-stop destination for connections to adjacent neighbourhoods and surrounding regions. This will be part of a regional transport system and will primarily service the bus rapid transit system. It will serve as an interchange for other transportation modes. Taxi stands, bike stands, and a network of sidewalks and crosswalks are provided for lastmile connectivity and pedestrian ease. Close to medium density residential, a recreational area, the YMCA, and the Spy Hill university expansion, this serves as a transit hub as well as a social civic centre with facilities like retail, off ice, workspaces, and a rooftop park.

The essence of this Transit Hub node is connectivity - connecting modes of transport and connecting people. Moving between areas will be an effortless experience.

The plan shows the proposed Transit Hub node, inspired by the Transbay Transit Centre, in San Francisco. Transit oriented development was an important aspect of this plan, and the site is surrounded by medium density residential to allow residents a convenient transit hub close to their homes.

The transit centre is surrounded by medium density residential and is close to institutional areas, creating a site for a social experience as much as a transport hub.

The three levels of the transit hub are shown in this axonometric diagram.

The right of way has been divided to incorporate different users. The street will include dedicated bike lanes, broad sidewalks with bike stands, and wider through lanes for vehicular traffic and buses. A below-ground bus deck also exists.

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A

NODE 3: LIVE/WORK Located in the North-West section of North Ridge, this area focuses on the relationships between live, work, and play. This area is rich in employment opportunities and presents the ability to walk to work, or reside in a live/work environment.

With hopes of reducing auto dependency in the future, and the need to minimize the strain on natural resources, this node shows the marriage of two different atmospheres. This will be a necessary dynamic to consider while developing communities moving forward. A main bus stop lies at the south edge of a connecting parkway. This park serves as an informal place to have lunch or gather. The one-way alley adjacent the light industrial buildings serves as a thoroughfare and parking avenue for surrounding businesses. Low-medium density housing supply meets suburban demand and mixes nicely with the surrounding land-uses.

B’

B

A’

The interior park is a hub for all types of people and has both sunny and shaded moments for varies of use. Individuals are able to interact while enjoying their down-time or passing to reach a destination.

The plan shows the mix of housing types and the proximity of employment opportunities in the light industrial areas and the commercial spaces. The mixed-use building will have a main floor cafe or market and higher density residential above. The interior park provides a linear link for the residential and industrial spaces.

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The communtiy garden is a space for generational engagements and a local food source for residents. The tree lined median adds greenery and additional road safety. Curb extensions increase pedestrian safety. Live/work units face the street-front for business visibility.

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AA’ - The interior park creates a linear link from the live/work, and light industrial to the main transit connection. It is also a moment of pause and enjoyment. The commercial building is a vibrant edge to the park.

BB’ - The urban community garden is directly outside of the mixed-use building. Live/work units coexist with the higher density living. A bike lane is included for cyclist connection and safety.

DOWNTOWN SPY HILL CONNOR MACDONALD | KIRANDEEP KAUR | LOGAN BARTHOLOW

INTRODUCTION The goal of this project was to fully develop a master plan for the “Spy Hill” project site, complete with a vision, design principles, and understanding of the community as a whole and its constituent components.

Over the course of 4 different phases, the Spy Hill site was dissected, analyzed, and a proposal was created for how to respond to this edge location which had little land-use diversity and a lack of density and intensity.

The work within the phases was guided by the Calgary Municipal Development Plan: New Community Guidebooks as well as the many other municipal, inter-municipal, and provincial planning documents.

S

A Local Identity

M

A Hub for the NW

XL

Downtown Spy Hill

Different Impacts at Different Scales

Our Overarching Concept

VISION + CONCEPT The vision our team created for this site was a new regional urban centre which was equitable, easily accessible, and forward thinking in its design.

From this vision, we developed our concept of S-M-XL in which we believed a new regional urban centre had to work at local, city, and regional scales to be successful.

Our base for creating a strong site plan centered on land-use diversity which not only had density, but intensity. We developed 7 guiding ideas for creating this diversity: Reconnection, Improved Zoning, Suburban Infill, Anchoring, Node Creation, and Rebalance

Our 7 guiding principles for strong land-use diversity

A diagram showing roads in black, BRT stops and lines in blue, the Hyper Loop in yellow, and our park system in green

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MASTER PLAN NODE 1 This node is congruent with our Small scale and shows how a local community can have identity within our dense urban environment.

NODE 2 For our medium node we looked at the proposed e-sports stadium and how it might integrate with the public realm and the greater site.

Urban Core (12 Stories Max) Urban Core (8 Stories Max) Urban Core (6 Stories Max) Mixed Use (4 Stories max) Residential (4 Stories Max) Special Purpose Recreational Business Park (6 Stories Max) Light Industrial (6 Stories Max) Institutional (6 Stories Max) Culture Urban Agriculture Greenspace Transit Node Transit Line

This master plan shows the final concept of Downtown Spy Hill, a new Regional Urban Center in Northwest Calgary.

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NODE 3 Lastly, our XL node is centered around our major hyper loop stop and is a major transportation and employment hub.

NODE 1: THE COMMUNITY NODE The Community Node rests on four key design principles: access by walkability, the notion of equitability in access to local needs, programmability of space, and the creation of local identity.

The open space of the University Plaza create opportunities for water features or installed sculptures. Space around the edges can be used for pop-up booths, food trucks, bike sharing, and more.

The arterial roadways provide access to the sites more central congregation areas while also having clear access to the roads in the site’s greater context. Access to the institutional space by public transit is central to the concept.

A view of the University Plaza

Site Plan for the Community Node

This Amphitheater is highly programmable

Section depicting the public realm of the Community Node

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NODE 2: THE STADIUM For the medium node, the e-sports stadium was chosen to be analyzed as it has the potential to be a large attraction for Calgary and the surrounding region.

When developing the node there were 3 guiding principles: 1) Creating a strong connection to the surrounding neighbourhood, 2) Creating a public realm which gave back to the surrounding neighbourhood rather than taking from it, 3) Flexible public spaces which would allow for many different kinds of programming To aid in the design, the land-uses around the site were designated as mixed-use to allow for flexibility.

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Everyone making their way into the stadium on game night

Site Plan for the Stadium Node

The walkway above the bioswale

Section through the NW Plaza

NODE 3: THE DOWNTOWN HUB In our XL node, the intention was to look at the highest density in the master plan. This node presents an opportunity to look into the in-between spaces that serve as the connective fabric between a city and its people.

The Downtown Hub rests on 4 key design principles: 1) Pedestrian priority, 2) A well designed public realm, 3) Streets as places 4) programmability of urban space.

All public spaces and streets favour pedestrians first, then transit riders, cyclists, and lastly automobiles. Furthermore, the building uses rely on a strong vertical mix to create a balanced, dynamic, and integrated development.

Render of the main N/S thoroughfare of our site

Site Plan for the Downtown Hub

An example of a pocket park with integrated storm-water management

These sections show some of the major streets within our site and the vertical land uses that maintain a diversity of land-uses

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ParkCity ARI GOLDSTEIN | BERNADINE MONTERO | SARAH SHAW

INTRODUCTION Found at the very northwestern corner of the City of Calgary, we had an opportunity to create a strong, sustainable edge to a city which will no longer be able to expand. Communities to the south are largely suburban, while communities to the north and west are rural residential. The site is bordered by industrial and institutional uses to the east.

The site itself features a number of valuable features, including a large YMCA, unique kame and kettle topography, an ecologically important wildlife corridor, a university campus, and a series of popular dog walking trails. Other features, such as the aging jails and pre-trial detention centres, a large gravel pit, and a landfill pose both constraints and unique challenges.

Four site features informed our design: the industrial areas highlighted in purple, the wildlife corridor and valley in green, the unique topography, and the existing popular dog walking trails in teal.

The site is found at the very northeastern border of the city. This gave us an opportunity to create a strong edge.

VISION + CONCEPT Our project is fundamentally about sustainability.

Because sustainability is a nebulous and broad term, we broke it down into four types or principles to guide our design.

We divided the site into two parts: the park, called SpyHill Park, and the developable area

01. Environmental sustainability, which was expressed through the preservation and expansion of greenspace.

02. Human sustainability through a transit system and walking pathways.

03. Social sustainability is achieved through designs which cater to the needs of everyone, rather than a single income or age bracket.

04. Economic sustainability is bolstered through the expansion of the existing university campus and the creation of a sustainable energy research centre 34

An expression of our principles of sustainability.

We compared our park, called SpyHill Park, to Glenbow Valley Ranch Provincial Park, Nose Hill Park, and Fish Creek Provincial Park

NODE 1

MASTER PLAN

This node, found at the very northern edge of the developed area, focuses on the preservation and expansion of greenspace.

NODE 3

Found in the new University of Calgary research park, this node focuses on increasing economic resiliency.

NODE 3

NODE 2 This node is at the very southern edge of the park and promotes social inclusivity.

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NODE 1: SPYHILL PARK Nestled within SpyHill Park, this node leans into the natural world and brings people to connect and engage with it. Featuring educational activities such as a pump track, a snow skills field, a summer garden, a regional pathway, a tent-pitching practice area, and a backpacking practice area, this educational facility is designed not only to teach visitors about the natural environment but also invites partnerships with local institutions such as the Calgary Zoo and the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre.

Looking north east

Looking north west

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The site features unique topography, providing a wealth of opportunities for educational programming

NODE 2: EMERGING ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE Found at the southern end of the site, the University of Calgary Emerging Energy Research Centre replaces and expands the current University of Calgary veterinary medicine campus, which we believe will relocate to a different location. The campus is designed to integrate with the surrounding areas, with shops bordering the campus.

The campus itself is designed to facilitate social interactions and incorporates vendors in the campus itself. A series of transit stops further connects it to the surrounding areas.

By paving over predicted desire lines, the grass is salvaged

Water features break up the pathways while providing storm water management solutions

Transit stops are found within the campus to connect it to the rest of the city

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NODE 3: SOCIAL INCLUSIVITY This node is found on the edge of the very southern part of SpyHill Park and is designed with low-income seniors, university students, and children at the forefront. A senior’s residence and a subsidized daycare spill out onto the park, providing them with easy access to nature.

Moreover, east-west streets are closed to pedestrians, encouraging social interactions.

Pedestrian-only streets also allow for businesses to spill out onto the sidewalk and for events to take place, making an often neglected part of the city somewhere vibrant and signaling that residents are not to be pushed aside.

East-west streets are closed to vehicles, creating a safe and integrated community

Social inclusivity is about the people and so the goal of this node is to cater to a diverse cross-section of the population

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In order to keep cyclists safe on north-south streets, the bike lane is raised to be the same height as the sidewalk. Trees are used as a permeable barrier to protect pedestrians and cyclists