HIDDEN GEMS
Heritage Pointe Feature
Area locals share their top spots
Lower density, larger lots motivating buyers
MD OF FOOTHILLS A9
Greg Houston
1989 CREB® President
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FREE june 17 to june 23 2016 issue 06-23 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
THE WHY OF WALKABILITY for creb®now
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alkability has evolved from a buzzword to an influential part of home purchasing decisions in Calgary, say real estate experts. And to meet growing demand for improved accessibility, developers and planners need to start now by designing communities of tomorrow through a more pedestrian-friendly lens. “(Walkability) is important to our customers,” said Brookfield Residential development manager Tara Steell. “We’re hearing from them and using best practices to create communities with master-planned communities. We have the ability to influence that and try to get people out of their cars.” Steell said Brookfield is making walkability a priority when developing South Seton, a residential community that is expected to start construction as early as this year off the south terminus of the future Green Line. The southeast Calgary community follows the Urban Land Institute’s 10 Principles for Building Healthy Places, which includes walkability. “But it has to be useful,” said Steell. “What (do walkability connections) look like for the homeowner? The community needs to be active for all modes of transportation.” City council recently acknowledged Calgary’s walkability woes by passing its first pedestrian strategy in early May. Dubbed Step Forward, it includes more than four dozen recommendations aimed at making communities more walkable, including installing more flashing lights at crosswalks and building mid-block crossings in busy areas. In the report, the City notes the walking mode share for all-day, allpurpose trips citywide fell from 13.2 to 11.7 per cent. Step Forward is looking, in part, to increasing the city’s walking mode share to 15 per cent by 2025.
WALKABILITY A3
Federation of Calgary Communities urban planner Carrie Yap said more pedestrian-friendly environment could include anything from wider sidewalks and wayfinding signage and landmarks to direct connections via pathways and linear parks.
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* MAY ‘14 – MAY ‘16
5533 5706 5641 5394 5141 5137 5215 5600 5623 5327
MAY14 JUN14 JUL14 AUG14 SEP14 OCT14 NOV14 DEC14 JAN15 FEB15 MAR15 APR15 MAY15 JUN15 JUL15 AUG15 SEP15 OCT15 NOV15 DEC15 JAN16 FEB16 MAR16 APR16 MAY16
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CALGARY BUILDING PERMITS POST INCREASE CREB® STAFF lthough down year over year, Calgary building permits posted the largest increase in Canada between March and April this year. According to Statistics Canada, building permits increased from $309.9 million in March to $545.4 million in April, an increase of 76 per cent. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, institutional structures and commercial buildings contributed to the advance. However, April’s figure still represents a 17.1 per cent decline from same month in 2015.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
OPEN HOUSE SAT JUN 18 1:00-5:00 PM BRAND NEW PRICE
$939,000
Lee Edwards 403.540.0540
CONTENTS NEWS BRIEFS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 TOWNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 Area activity
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CITY OF CALGARY
PHOTO BY WIL ANDRUSCHAK/FOR CREB®NOW
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ALEX FRAZER-HARRISON
“Investments in pedestrian network development and maintenance makes our communities more walkable, which supports local business and strengthens the social fabric of our neighbourhoods,” said City of Calgary transportation general manager Mac Logan. The initiative comes as sobering statistics come to light regarding pedestrian safety in the city. Between 2005 and 2014, the City recorded 3,834 pedestrian-involved collisions, resulting in 3,317 injuries and 95 fatalities. Figures from 2015 are not yet available. According to Walk Score, a Seattlebased company that’s created a walkability index seen in most residential listings on the MLS® System today, Calgary currently scores just 48 out of 100, behind other urban centres such as Edmonton (51) and Banff (67). While walkability is becoming increasingly prevalent, it is not a new idea, said Federation of Calgary Communities urban planner Carrie Yap. “You look back at old neighbourhoods, the grid (system) is a walkable form, as opposed to all the curvilinear cul-de-sacs,” she said. Yap defines walkability as “connectivity, through either a grid or through connectivity of elements.” That might include a more pedestrian-friendly environment such as wider sidewalks and wayfinding signage and landmarks, as well as direct connections via pathways and linear parks. “It mainly comes down to accessibility,” said Yap, adding vehicles can be a barrier to getting to know the people on your street: “social capital, as opposed to social isolation.” Such connections, “is one of the pillars (our) community was established on,” said Daniel Santiago, communications and recreation co-ordinator with McKenzie Towne council in the city’s southeast.
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Experts tout prevalence in today’s homebuying decisions
CONSTRUCTION A3
EVENT LISTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 MUNICIPAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 E-cycling
MORTGAGE RATES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 DONNA BALZER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9 Balcony beauty
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COME TO BRAGG CREEK AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS 195 Mountain Lion Dr - West Bragg Creek
• 2666 sq. ft. on 2 acres • Understated luxury • Private setting • Adjacent to golf course • MLS® C4059088 CANYON CREEK
braggcreekrealestate.com lee@braggcreekrealestate.com