Beatriz Martins
Abstract.
Downtown Calgary finds itself in a challenging position. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified an economic decline that has left a large portion of office space vacant while reducing pedestrian and visitor traffic to the center of the City.
Too often, downtown development stalls based on large-scale area planning by cities and/or major developers to shape big moves and projects. While this level of development direction and area shaping is critical to establishing long term direction for an area, what’s produced is often out of touch with more real-time needs of local users and activities that are actually happening in the area in the present day and near future.
Block studies are designed to provide a more “real-time” picture of a focused area to develop projects and spaces. Through these studies,
we work to map and curate a broader area vision including user journeys, and gather reliable data on area workers, residents and retailers, occupancy costs, and optimal leasing ranges to support potential pilot projects. The result gives us an improved understanding of: the ‘pulse of the street’ the ‘drivers of the user experience’ the current state of the area.
We can combine these findings, with other relevant public/private datasets to provide better regarding the use/usage happening across downtown. We hope that these insights can be leveraged to support opportunities and ideas that reactivate underutilised downtown spaces, with a particular focus on the human experience — from public, to semi-public through to private space.
Richard Parker Initiative
Timeline.
Establish the working group.
January
Teams start to explore storefronts, social lobbies, and the food network system along 3rd Street SW.
Late
Early
Start the block study by observing the physical, activity levels, and usage of 3rd Street SW.
Low-impact interventions are in place for people to appreciate on their stroll down the street.
April
March
Teams start to build the data stories by focusing on eleven stories that can help transform 3rd Street SW into a street that users can experience.
Block Study.
introduction
3rd Street SW is located in the heart of Downtown Calgary. For the purpose of the study, the focus was placed on the section of 3rd Street that is located within the core of downtown. Running north-south, the street begins at Eau Claire Plaza to the north and terminates at 9th Ave SW to the south. It is a street with a history and contains unique design qualities that make it stand out amongst the streets and avenues surrounding it.
The intention of the block study was to identify where the challenges are located along the street as well as provide interventions, big and small, that can help contribute to creating a great street where all users will
have an amazing experience. As we take you for a tour of 3rd Street SW, we want you to keep an open mind and ask yourself how you can help transform the spaces we have identified to create a more unique street that is part of downtown Calgary’s fabric.
Throughout this publication you will notice a number of QR codes located in the bottom left corner of the even numbered pages. These QR codes will connect you with the One Million Feet project, an initiative that is looking to transform one million square feet, one project at a time.
Thank you and enjoy!
Physical.
What
3rd steet SW - Panorama East View
The physicality of a street speaks to its characteristics. Looking closely at 3rd Street SW, we focused on the built environment to understand what elements contribute to the street’s unique qualities but also looked to see what was lacking and where improvements could be made. Studies/ Analysis allowed us to understand what areas of the street would benefit from having more activities due to natural lighting elements that will entice people to dwell in the area. We also identified where amenities, such as parking, bike racks, trees, and public art are located along the street. These are elements that not only provide character but are also very useful to getting people to stay in the location.
Lastly, we examined the building heights and building entrances, to help identify where people are moving along the street and where other activities could take place.
Top Physical Concepts
1. The meandering roadway helps to slow traffic and allows for wider sidewalks and permanent seating and planting fixtures.
2. Poor maintenance has seen the physical qualities become inadequate as the sidewalk comprises several varied materials that make it difficult for people, especially those with mobility setbacks, to navigate through the area.
3. The lack of colour use in building materials and storefront windows makes the street grey and dull.
4. The varied building heights can impact sunlight and create cold spots along the street.
5. Public space vs private space creates a division between how people can use the street.
+15 TD Canada Trust
University of Alberta +15 Cafe Artigiano BMO
Activity.
What motivates you to walk down a certain street? Does 3rd Street SW have the ability to become a desireable street that people want to be part of?
STRAVA BYCICLE FREQUENCY
STRAVA RUNNING FREQUENCY
A busy street, buzzing with life is what determines its level of activity. An active street provides people with a sense of security and safety, as well as amenities, retail and food options. An active street also sparks joy in those choosing to walk, drive, or ride down it because the activity taking place there makes it a space that people want to be in.
To look at reactivating 3rd St, we needed to have a knowledge of where and how people were moving through the spaces. The data we collected highlighted the movement of people around, along, and across 3rd St with vehicular and transit traffic running East-West across the street rather than travelling NorthSouth along it. The traffic patters were time dependent with a spike in traffic during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Strava and observational data suggest that 3rd Street attracts recreational runners due to the street’s direct connection to the Riverwalk in Eau Claire.
Many people using 3rd Street SW will experience a level of activity that varies depending on the time of day, what is available for users, as well as the time of year, and the weather. On those beautiful, sunny
days, the ones Calgarians celebrate with pride, you will see many people congregating in the pockets of sunlight to either bask in it or to access their destination. However, activity levels diminish when the weather turns, and the cooler temperatures push people to use the +15 system instead.
Top Activity Concepts
1. The shape of the road reduces traffic speed and perceived pedestrian safety.
2. 3rd St SW is well connected to public transit, cycling and walking infrastructure.
3. The traffic flows follow a conventional bimodal pattern peaking during morning and afternoon rush hour.
4. There is concentrated activity around the CORE and along Stephen Ave as well as along the Riverwalk.
5. 3rd street currently acts as a connector for horizontal flows of traffic, with potential to increase vertical flows.
Usage.
What other types of uses do you think would benefit 3rd Street SW?
BYCICLE
What draws people to a street depends on the physical and active qualities. How it is perceived by the general public will ultimately determine how the street is used. Currently, how 3rd Street SW is being used matches the way it is perceived by the average person. Many financial institutions line the streets and minimal retail, or entertainment options are available for people to enjoy for longer periods of time. The existing development uses support the Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 lifestyle because many of the businesses along the way are either closed during the evenings and weekends or have shortened hours.
Throughout the study we thought it was important to understand the vacant spaces and where those empty spaces are located. As many know, the recession and COVID have wreaked havoc on Calgary. These significant economic impacts have resulted in the Calgary downtown vacancy rate experiencing reaching it’s highest level, with many reports placing it at 26.9% in 2020. Although the vacancy rate along 3rd Street SW is lower, at 16.7%, this rate does impact movement because there is no incentive to dwell. The pedestrian realm is an important interface of the success of a street; with an animated and vibrant identity the street is brought to
life and creates an inviting and safe public environment. In order to create a lasting impression on a street there are a number of design qualities that need to be introduced to take it from being a good street to a great one. By focusing on the amenities, usages, attractions, and traffic, 3rd Street has the potential to become a great experience.
Top Usage Concepts
1. Vacancy - the impacts of the recession require new uses to be introduced onto the street.
2. Number of public spaces – these are not lacking on 3rd Street although there are improvements that could be made to these areas.
3. Type of uses – most uses cater to the weekday workforce in order to help decease the vacancy rate. What are some new uses that could be introduced on the street?
4. Attractions and destinations –with Stephen Avenue to the South and the Riverwalk to the North, how can 3rd Street capitalize on these great spaces and become a great connector to these locations.?
5. Active Edge Uses – indoor and outdoor interaction allows people to move throughout the downtown swiftly by having access to the +15 systems as well as connecting with the sidewalks.
Storefronts.
Storefronts are the first things we see; they set the stage for the public realm. How can we make these public spaces more engaging?
The storefront goes beyond window displays. Construction hoardings, building lobbies, plus 15 Skyways, and interior and exterior walls adjacent to entrances can all be included in the storefront category. They are a great platform for storytelling and connecting with the public.
Currently, even though there are many types of storefronts on 3rd Street SW, they are not utilized to their full potential. Other than those at TD Square and a couple of other commercial storefronts, most of the storefronts belong to financial institutions flanking both sides of the street, with many blank walls and parkade facades. Nevertheless, there are still many possibilities to activate the storefronts by connecting them to the sidewalk, social lobbies, and the +15 network available on 3rd Street SW. Not only the storefronts but also the blank walls on the sides and around the storefronts as well as the front sidewalks are all great canvases to showcase works of art or add a pop of colour to enliven the street.
Storefronts are a great way to activate spaces and the public realm that incorporate multisensory systems like colours, textures, and sounds. In this way, we aim to create a unique experience and leave a lasting memory for the public.
Top Storefronts Concepts
1. Engage with the sidewalk.
2. Connect with the +15 system and both sides of the street.
3. Great platform to engage with pedestrians and the general public.
4. Use of light, colour, and text to attract public.
5. Connect with social lobbies in creating a smooth transition between outdoor and indoor spaces for the general public.
Social Lobbies.
What are some ways in which private lobbies can become social spaces for all users to enjoy?
Lobbies are the gateway to the building you enter. When you enter through the often revolving door you are automatically drawn to the elevator that will take you high into the sky, to your desk. But what if when you spun through that revolving door you had a decision to make: to sit down, enjoy a coffee while gazing at the newly installed temporary art piece or move past and head over to the elevator bank? Social lobbies are about creating a buzz that makes people want to sit and enjoy these
gateway spaces rather than move through them swiftly, ignoring their possibilities.
The perception of many lobbies in the building towers throughout downtown is their privacy and security measures. People who do not have a purpose for being in that building will not go through that revolving door to explore the possibilities the building has to offer that areavailable to the public.
Top Social Lobbies Concepts
1. Interesting seating options to allow for social hubs.
2. Coffee carts.
3, POPS (privately owned public spaces).
4. Art Spaces/Galleries.
5. Better connection between the indoor and outdoor plaza space to create an inviting environment for the general public.
Food Network.
How can downtown Calgary better connect communities around the city through the sharing of food?
Food plays a key part in bringing people together to share and create memories. We can learn a lot about someone based on the foods they enjoy, or the ingredients used in different dishes.
Top Food Network Concepts
1. Food trucks located along 3rd Street SW.
2. Pop up food markets and farmers markets in lobbies or vacant parking lots.
3. A food scavenger hunt through Downtown Calgary. Connecting food trucks and brick and mortar restaurants.
4. Restaurant sharingconnecting up and coming chefs to commercial kitchens.
5. Cultural food tours throughout Calgary.
In the downtown area, there are select areas where food businesses congregate, leaving much of downtown (and 3rd street, more specifically) bare. Infrastructure in the area such as wide sidewalks, vacant lots, seating, and planters already exist to support food and gathering. This presents opportunities to showcase more local foods and cuisines from different communities within Calgary as currently many dining options are based on chain restaurants. The city is home to many initiatives that promote food accessibility and create space for pop up local food vendors in the form of farmers markets and food truck events. Food could greatly transform the street with increased activity and participation from workers and community members, and over time, increased visitors from the rest of the city. With food, we can encourage Calgarians to make time to slow down and enjoy the company of those around them, finding new life and purpose for our downtown core.
3rd Street as a walking corridor.
Walking down any street is an experience. What are some elements that attract you to a specific street? Is it the amenities that are available? Or maybe it’s the direct route to move you from point A to point B.
A positive experience on a street will have people coming back for more while a negative experience will have people looking for alternative routes to get them to their destination. 3rd Street SW is located in the heart of Downtown Calgary. It is a street that has the components to create positive experiences, although there are elements missing to make it a great street.
With its meandering sidewalks and direct connections to popular destinations in Calgary, what is lacking on this street is the opportunity to engage with the pedestrian audience. What makes a street a destination in and of itself is its ability to provide a number of services that cater to all users in the area. How can 3rd Street be recognized for its unique qualities but also provide a positive experience for its users?
As you walk down the street, take in all of the elements that surround you. Consider what stands out the most and what is lacklustre. What are some interventions you think should take place on the street? Are they simple or complex?
Have you ever notices how 3rd St SW meanders its way through downtown?
What if we were to close 3rd street one day of the weekend? Could this create that positive experience by providing more space for people to walk on between Eau Claire and Stephen Avenue? And with added space could it allow more people to participate in different activities along 3rd Street SW? These types of projects and ideas are what could allow pedestrians to interact more with the street. They would also gives artists and creators the opportunity to showcase their work and create amazing spaces!
Interventions to Consider
Wayfinding.
Adopt a sidewalk panel.
Road closures to support walking and cycling.
Heated sidewalks.
Anatomy of an intersection.
Intersections control movement. They act as connectors for all types of movement and activity. To many, they act as control centres guiding vehicles and pedestrians through the streets, ensuring no-one crosses another’s path. Every person that travels down a street, whether walking or driving, celebrates with delight when they make it through without having to stop at a red light because their travels were uninterrupted. . But what if we changed the way intersections function and flow and switched up their intended use once in a while to celebrate what the street has to offer? Next time you are walking or driving through an intersection think about what else that space could be used for.
Can intersections become more than stoplights and white painted lines? They are areas of opportunity for urban activation, with the potential to transform into temporary hubs where people can come together. The intersections throughout 3rd Street SW are wide and open, with ample sunlight. They are highly activated by travel along the avenues, but lack
the same movement down the street. What are some ways that intersections could become spaces where people gather to enjoy their surroundings rather than bypassing quickly during the daily commute?
When you cross a street, consider everything around you. See how those who are driving or those walking past react to you. When you are a pedestrian, entering an intersection do you feel safe? What are some elements that you believe could help improve the safety of an intersection?
What if we highlighted the pedestrian scramble intersections in Eau Claire? This could be achieved by painting the lines a brighter colour. The results could help educate pedestrians on the benefits of this style of crosswalk. This design style also allows pedestrians to take back the street by deterring traffic from driving in the area because there are too many elements that would affect their opportunities to travel freely throughout the area.
What would you change about the intersection?
Interventions to
Painted crosswalks, sidewalks, and intersections.
Scatter Crosswalks. Light up crosswalks. Turn an intersection into a plaza.
Make time and space to dwell.
What is missing from the street scape?
Dwell time is about stopping to enjoy your surroundings and spending time there. The weather, our schedules and an unwelcoming streetscape all encourage pedestrians to tuck their heads down and walk on. In order to get people to dwell on 3rd Street SW, there need to be signals in the built space that can motivate pedestrians to slow down and spend time in this area. Interventions are needed to get pedestrians to lift their heads and gaze at what is around them.What are some elements in Calgary that draw you to a space where you can sit for hours and enjoy your surroundings? Are these the types of elements that can be transferred to 3rd Street SW to create that experience of people stopping and staying for a while?
3rd Street is full of potential when it comes to greeting spaces for people
to dwell in. When you are walking down a street, what is something that catches your interest that motivates you to sit down and enjoy a space? What if the seating surrounding the planters were more inviting or there were pop up food carts located along the side of the street? Next time you are walking down 3rd Street, consider where potential meeting spots could be and what amenity could support that space.
Interventions to Consider
Nook.
Lights, colours, sounds, storefronts!
Window storefronts offer you a look into what’s on the inside, but when curtains are drawn, there isn’t much to gaze at. During events, such as the Stampede, many window storefronts throughout Calgary come to life with murals representing this iconic event. These paintings have become great ways to get people excited for the ten-day celebration. Rather than focusing on the time leading up to and incorporating the Stampede, how could the window storefronts along 3rd Street become active areas of the street? There are many opportunities and options that could be incorporated into making window storefronts on 3rd Street eye-catching and interest peaking spaces. Not only would these elements bring new life, they would also offer interest and colour to what can typically be empty spaces. What are some elements that you would like to see brighten up a colourless space?
Bright colours, catchy words, and unique designs will get people to stop and gaze in wonder at what could be behind the glass. Active storefronts
attract people to enjoy what the space has to offer and create inviting environments and people want to be surrounded by. To brighten up a storefront, partnerships are the key to success. By having creators and building operators collaborate, windows can become something of interest that can draw more people to the area.
What if we connected the storefront with the sidewalk by using colour and adding a sense of curiosity to the space for the public to enjoy? Could this be an element that would stop people in their tracks and get them to marvel at what is on the window?
Interventions to Consider
Public art mural.
Message Wall.
Advertising campaign.
Window galleries.
Days that are dull and grey are the ones most Calgarians least look forward to and the same goes for the grey, bleak streets that pedestrians have to walk down. Colour is powerful. It is an element that is simple in concept and when executed properly it helps to create inviting spaces that people want to be in. Creating inviting spaces will allow for more creativity to exist in the vacant storefronts or on the public benches in front of the planters. Currently, 3rd Street is lacking in colour and there are many surfaces that could be incorporated to bring pops of colour and make a space inviting. Think about a vibrant street, whether here in Calgary or elsewhere on your travels, where elements could be applied to help amplify the street.
How do you see colour impacting 3rd Street SW? Colour could be applied in many different ways using different
methods, materials, and mediums. The opportunities to bring brightness that leads to excitement are endless! What areas could benefit the most from adding colour? What are some materials that could be used to bring those much needed pops of colour? Some areas that could be considered are stair risers for people accessing the +15 system, tree bases, benches, bollards, sidewalks, and gardens.
Interventions to Consider
Public art mural.
Coloured building facades.
Painted benches.
Chalkboard Wall.
Everything is so grey.
Bringing pops of colour one intervention at a time
Lighting and conditions.
The unique lamposts of 3rd street
Lighting can affect a person’s mood, perception of safety and the type of activity that takes place on a street. Areas that receive ample amounts of sunlight or are lit up nicely with artificial light tend to attract more people and are often areas where people will want to linger and dwell. The lighting along 3rd Street is unique in itself and helps set it apart from the streets to the east. Not only do the lamp posts provide interest to pedestrians during the day, they also provide safety to those using the street at night. Next time you are enjoying a walk or drive down 3rd Street, take a moment to enjoy the lighting options and consider what areas could be improved upon to ensure people are safe at all times of the day!
Treacherous walking and wheeling conditions are elements that deter people from wanting to access a street. Unfortunately, the sidewalk along 3rd Street has had a number of ‘fixes’ that have led to uneven surfaces made up of a number of different materials. Although these are solutions to fixing problems, the use of different materials on the pathways has caused portions to buckle or heave that end up impacting a number of people. Updating the sidewalk conditions is a large undertaking requiring
significant investment. As we wait for a budget to support a new redesign, what are some materials you would like to see on the sidewalk?
Lighting helps guide your way while the ground you walk on leads you to where you want to go. In order to improve the lighting and conditions on 3rd Street SW, there are some projects that could be quite easy to achieve, while others will take time and money. When we look at lighting and what it can do to enhance a space, consider introducing simple elements like string lights above the street or even lights wrapping around the sculptures. By playing around with lighting, we can create an environment that is safe for pedestrians as well as beautiful.
Interventions to Consider
Glow in the dark park
String lighting above the street
Solar powered benches/ light poles that allow for USB charging
Downtown light show
Interventions to Consider
Repurpose vacant parking lots as agricultural commons.
Retrofit commercial spaces into residential units.
Vertical retail
Convert office spaces into evening entertaining spaces
Vacancy.
Did you know that the vacancy around 3rd St SW is around 16%?
Vacancy is a challenge that is being felt throughout Calgary. Due to the impact of the recession and COVID-19, there is now a push to introduce new ideas into the numerous vacant office spaces. Although the vacancy rate on 3rd Street SW is less than what is being felt throughout the entire downtown core, the impact of less people utilizing the street on a daily basis is being felt here as well.
With these empty spaces scattered throughout the area, there is a push to introduce new industries to Calgary. Thinking on a smaller scale, what are some other uses that could take place in the office towers? Downtown Calgary has a reputation for being a thriving area Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, but it is time to change this perception and mix things up a little bit! What needs to take place to change this perception along with helping decrease the vacancy rates? Does our dependence on the oil and gas sector need to be loosened in order to introduce new sectors?
With millions of square feet available for new investments, how could we show the potential of a space and make it accessible to a wider audience? Is there a way to introduce interactive installations or markets into areas that have predominantly been recognized solely as office space? Will this shift in perception help decrease the vacancy rate? It will take imagination and creativity to alter how Calgarians view the downtown core, but Calgary has proven to be resilient in the past and by working in collaboration, we will find great solutions to counterbalance these higher than normal vacancy rates.
Planters, seating and art.
Amenity space on a street is a great contribution to making it a great place. When there is inviting seating and flourishing gardens, it will entice people to dwell in and enjoy their surroundings. With more than ten raised planter beds along the street, 3rd Street offers pedestrians lush gardens that are enjoyed in the warmer months. These large beds are filled with a variety of annuals that bring that much needed pop colour after the colder months. And on those hot, summer days, people can chase the sunshine by finding a seat on one of the many benches that are connected to the planter beds. The winter months are less than ideal for many users on the street because the planters are bare and the benches are snow covered. What elements could be introduced to create inviting spaces that could be enjoyed year round, even on those blustery winter days?
Sitting down and smelling the fresh flowers growing beside you is a peaceful and enjoyable experience. What are some plants that can withstand the elements and bring a sign of life year round? How can the benches be reimagined to make them more inviting?? It is a simple task to
Interventions to Consider
Use of winter vegetation.
Colour park benches.
Designated spots for urban agriculture.
Multipurpose street furniture
breathe new life into the benches and bring flourishing gardens year-round, and the opportunity is waiting!
Public art is used to tell a story but also provide interest to a space. Although there are some art pieces that can cause controversy, what they all have in common is their ability to start conversations. When walking along 3rd Street SW pedestrians will discover a variety of public art sculptures and artefacts that showcase a portion of the history that made Calgary what it is today. These sculptures and artefacts are what make 3rd Street unique and they deserve to be celebrated for the stories they all tell.
Let’s start by telling the story of 3rd Street SW through the existing artefacts and the reason for their placement. Why were these sculptures placed here? What is their significance and how do they relate to Barclay? What other ways could we introduce new art that coulf help improve the experience? There are a number of opportunities that could help celebrate the public art that is currently in place, but also areas where new art could be introduced.
Add loved ones’ names to benches and trees
Incorporate public art into the street furniture
Outdoor museum education
Downtown food network.
How can food be celebrated thorugh downtown Calgary?
Food plays a key part in bringing people together to share and create memories, and provide nourishment for our bodies, and it is something we all use to celebrate great accomplishments. Each year Calgary is receiving more recognition for its culinary experiences and its ever expanding brewery scene. In the downtown core, there are select areas where food businesses congregate, leaving much of downtown, and 3rd Street SW more specifically, bare. The solution to introducing food to 3rd Street is not solely brick and mortar restaurants. There is already the necessary infrastructure in the area such as wide sidewalks, vacant lots, seating, and planters to support food and gathering. Food is a powerful way to connect people with cultures and it can also encourage Calgarians to make time to slow down and enjoy the company and scenery around them by enjoying something from a greater local food spot.
Food allows people to explore the city, discover new cuisines, and make new connections. It is also a great element to use to have people gather in a space. How can we reimagine the way we share public space, not only between the public, but also between vendors? What is the importance of ensuring diverse food options are made available? What are some unique ways to bring food to 3rd Street, especially when bricks and mortar are not an option for many?
Interventions to Consider
Community kitchen.
Parking for food trucks.
Year-round farmers market in +15 system or building lobbies.
Mobile food banks.
Easter Eggs.
Interventions don’t have to be overly complicated or cost a lot of money to bring change to a space!
Holidays are a great time to activate a space! The Easter Egg Challenge intervention was a quick and fun way to bring pops of colour and a little mystery to 3rd Street SW. The decorated paper easter eggs were plastered along 3rd St on public assets like light posts, recycling bins and benches.
Along with some beautiful and creative designs, each easter egg had a QR code that directed users to the Next Calgary website. Here they were greeted with a short video telling them to stay tuned for upcoming interventions. To spread the message
beyond 3rd Street, we asked that users take a picture of the egg they had found and to post it to Instagram, tagging @NextCalgary. All those that posted their pictures were entered into a draw to receive a copy of a previous Next Calgary publication, 1000’s Little Things, or a gift card for Be Local, a Calgary business cooperative that supports local small businesses.
To make this intervention come to life it took only a few days and a handful of hours to design, print, and set up the eggs along the street.
Planters.
The planters along 3rd Street SW posed a great opportunity as spaces for small-scale interventions due to their quantity and prominence on the street as well as the inclusion of benches and artwork in and around them. Conceptually, we wanted to “plant” ideas within these planters, suggesting the growth of a new 3rd Street experience. From this, we decided to create colourful signage with short phrases related to certain locations on the street or the street as a whole. The phrases were based on the block study conducted and the data stories compiled. This is an example of a small-scale intervention that can prompt discussion and reflection from people walking along the street.
The goal of these signs was not only to create a conversation with the general public but also to lead them to a wider source of information through the use
of QR codes. These QR codes were created individually – linking each sign to a different data story listed on the 1M website. The signs were designed using computer software and printed at a local Calgary printshop. Lawn signs were the chosen style due to their simple assembly and easy installation in the planter soil. Many online resources are available to use to create these signs as well if you do not have your own software.
On the day of installation, a group of us met up and proceeded to stick the signs in the planters along the street. We ensured they were placed facing towards the sidewalk so pedestrians could better interact with them. The result is a streetscape that encourages passersby to rethink the purpose of 3rd St SW and hopefully inspire action in the near future.
Flagging Tape.
Colour is an easy way to brighten up any space and the method we came up with is quick, easy, and mess free! Throughout the block study colour was something that we found to be lacking along the street. During our observations, we noticed there were a number of areas in which we could introduce colourful elements that would bring that much needed pop!
For this intervention flagging tape was the only material that was needed. Although it was a slightly arduous task, the result of these new, added pops of colour its areas are highlight that are often overlooked by those passing by. Prior to taking over the area, we did a couple of test applications along the street to determine
which mediums were easiest to apply the tape to. We chose to apply the flagging tape on garbage receptacles, bollards, chains, and even the benches attached to the planters.
The tape does not have a digital interaction piece such as the signs or the easter eggs, but our goal with this intervention is to have people appreciate what colour can bring to a space and have them notice the unique qualities of 3rd Street. The results speak for themselves because we have been able to draw attention to the oftenoverlooked amenities lining the street and hopefully this will result in permanent solutions being introduced to the space.
Contributors.
Researchers Supervisors
Nooshin Esmaeili MEDes
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary
Emily Kloppenburg Master of Planning School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary
Cindy Nachereun
Master Of Architecture School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary
Beatriz Martins
BFA of Visual Studies, Department of Arts, University of Calgary
Komal Patel
Master of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary
Becky Poschmann
Master of Environmental Design, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape University of Calgary
Richard Parker Initiative
Ken Bautista Founder 1M
Fabian Neuhaus Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Univertsity of Calgary
Sarah Matysio Community Operations 1M
Jasmine Palardy Co-Founder 1M
Stakeholders
Jessie Andjelic Architect AAA, Founding Partner
B Comm Culture, M Arch, LEED AP, MRAIC
Tawab Hlimi Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
Jeff Robson Design Lead, Intelligent Futures Inc.
Amplify 3rd Street.
The streetscape downtown invites to be explored. While the area has a reputation for office space, workplaces and business headquarter, it is also a space for shopping, eating, and leisure. Framed by towers and paced by intersections, 3rd Street SW between the CP Rail line at Canada Square and the Bow at Prince’s Island is nestled perfectly at the core. It boasts amenities, desitnations, and access - a gem in the downtown area.
What are its characteristics today, and can it grow its destination status in the future? This exemplary project analysis of the PHYSICAL, ACTIVITY, and USAGE, exolorative interventions including STOREFRONT studies, SOCIAL LOBBIES proposals, and FOOD NETWORK ideas probe the activation of this street and the borader downtown area.
What can you find on 3rd street?
Want to be engaged? Share your own idea online
While we prepare for our next engagement, keep in touch with us thorugh @NEXT CALGARY
