The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Introduction Morphology is destiny. The evolution of city form reflects the evolution of ideas and ideologies. The values cultures place on the land and on urban form are reflected in changing urban forms and processes. Calgary was established in 1883 and the downtown developed as a compact grid block commercial core surrounded by mixed use and residential areas. In 1966 a mas-ter plan was prepared to guide Calgary through one of its massive growth periods. Influenced by urban renewal, the planning tool of choice at the time, the $21 million scheme consist-ed of a rationalization plan for clearing out the old and making way for the new, and scores of buildings and entire neighbourhoods were razed to make way for major institutional and commercial projects. With the oil boom of the 1970s and 1980s, more of the urban fabric was specu-latively cleared out; some rebuilt as signa-ture towers for banks and oil companies, some developed as places of spectacle to support Calgary’s 1988 Winter Olympics, and some sat vacant for decades. The mixed commercial/resi-dential uses were replaced by single use commercial or institutional blocks, and the result was a drastic decline in ur-ban vitality, as the new morphologies consisted mostly of large buildings occupying whole blocks and an overall poor quality public realm. This is the most pronounced in the east part of the downtown approximately from 1st Street West into the evolving East Village, and between the railway tracks at the south and the Bow River at the north. The issues are deep-seated and morphological in nature, and have resulted in environmental, social, economic and aes-thetic dysfunctions that need to be well understood in order to be repaired. Recent and more focused interest by the City of Calgary, including the Mayor’s Office, has directed attention to the nine blocks surrounding City Hall, and the 9 Block project team has set an agenda for improvement. While remaining cognizant of the City’s emphasis on those nine blocks, the EVDL 777 Studio completed a comprehensive analysis of a broader area in order to understand the overall urban morphological issues of the downtown and its historic evolution. This is important as the basis for proposing new, radical, strategies for renewing the downtown and improving the public realm. Following a collective critical analysis, each of the eleven students in this final studio of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program identified an individ-ual issue, and utilized a research-based process to address their objectives. These eleven projects propose attempts to repair the urban morphology of the east part of Calgary’s downtown, and to lead ultimately to a higher quality public realm for all.
Dr. Beverly A. Sandalack
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Table of Contents Samira Dehesh To Create a High-Quality Publc Realm to Support an Education District Vincent Ellis Urban Corridor Repair: First Street SE Weiting Huang Re-Imagine Winter in 9 Block Daeun Diane Lee Olympic Plaza Renewal Master Plan: Reimagining the civic plaza and Calgary cultural district Connie Tran Calgary’s Civic District: Redifining Calgary East Downtown Karly Do When Meaning Met Meaningfulness: Revealing + Celebrating Calgary’s Civic Heart Sheri DeBoer Park Network Masterplan Thu Ngo Life Between the Buildings | Street - Building Interface and the Quality of Public Realm Jie Li Center Street Boulevard Christina Peace Rethinking the urban river edge Arezoo Khalili Inseting Green to East Downtown Calgary
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown To Create a High-Quality Public Realm to Support an Education District
Samira Dehesh
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown To Create a High-Quality Public Realm to Support an Education District
In the heart of downtown Calgary, there is an invisible education district. Bow Valley College, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Building (old library), and the new Central Library together form a major part of the education district. In addition, Arts Common, Calgary Municipal Building, Studio Bell, Salvation Army, and Calgary Chamber of Commerce support this district by holding temporary instructional classes when necessary. However, this precinct remains unrecognized. Bow Valley College alone has 17,500 students and 600 full-time employees. However, the downtown campus area is not that different from other part of downtown Calgary, and it is facing the same issues of safety and vibrancy. Students are rarely seen on the streets, the connectivity is lost among these places, and people often prefer to use the Plus 15 Skyway networks. the Streets public realm with all surrounding issues is not able to compete with Plus 15 Skyway Network. The project approach involved site analysis and precedent review of similar projects. This analysis and inventories provided the necessary information for developing the public realm improvement criteria in the following categories: • Health and Wellbeing -Comfort and Relaxation -Safety -Pedestrian and Cycle Connections • Connectivity to Bow River • Redevelopment and New Programming • Identity and Sense of Place • Movement These criteria created my concepts and strategies in the design process. In brief, my goal throughout the project was to make this precinct visible and vivid.
Samira Dehesh
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
Bow
Bow
Rive
r
Riv
er P
Rive
r
Riv
er P
ath
way
Harry Hays Building
ath
way
Harry Hays Building 1963 Castell Central Library opens 1972 Bow Valley College North Campus opens 3 street SE
3 street SE
5 Avenue SE
Macleod Trail
4 Avenue SE Macleod Trail
4 Avenue SE
5 Avenue SE
1979
2011
Inward-focused buildings
6 Avenue SE
6 Avenue SE 2011Bow Valley West Campus opens 2013 Bow Valley South Campus opens Calgary Municipal Building
ry
development opportunity New Green space Street Redesign new entrances Synthesis Map Opportunities Educational Buildings
a Libr
ry
a Libr
Synthesis Map Issues Educational Buildings
tral
tral
absence of bike lane bad quality streetlight bad quality side walk unsafe zone bad quality green/open space
2019 Cen
Olympic Plaza
Cen
Olympic Plaza
Calgary Municipal Building
2018 The Central Library opens 2019 SAPL moves to the former library
Public Realm Improvement Criteria: Health and Wellbeing Connectivity
Bow
Mixed-Use Development Moving SAPL to former CBE Building New Educational Buildings Streetscape Improvements
Redevelopment and New Programming Identity & Sense of Place Movement
SE t e re erf t S 3 oon W
Rive
rfron
Connectivity to Bow River Green | Open Spaces Small Size Commercial Buildings
Harry Hays Building
11
Rive
r
t Av
e SE
9
8
9
7
4 Ave SE 13
6 3
7
7
1
7
6
6 5 Ave SE 3
A central green space to define the education district
1
5
10
2
Layout A
1
3 6 Ave SE
Redeveloping former YWCA site to a seniors and students cohousing
4 4
7
1 10
7 Ave SE Calgary City Hall
7
Strategies and Concepts
Arts Commons
Education District Master Plan
3 St SE Woonerf
3 street SE Woonerf and creating the Link between Stephen avenue and Bow river pathway
Macleod Trail SE
Olympic Plaza
12
1 Bow Valley College Campus 2 The Family of Man statues 3 Mixed-Use Development 4 Faculty of Social Work and Sorce 5 SAPL Building 6 Courtyard 7 8 Orchard 9 Residential 10 Plaza 11 Bistro 12 Central Library 13 Seniors and Students Cohousing
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
The panel to show Calgary past, present, or future fired-clay tiles
The Family of Man statues
Bow Valley College West Campus 5 Ave SE
Macleod Trail SE
Mixed-Use Development
Bow Valley College North Campus
3 St SE Woonerf
A
A
Plaza
Real Canadian Superstore
6 Ave SE
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Bow Valley College West Campus
Plaza
Bow Valley College North Campus
Bookstore Layout A Section A
Pedestrian Pathway Furniture | Landscape Zone Motor Vehicle Pathway | 3 St SE Street Parking Landscape Zone Pedestrian Pathway
The Family of Man statues
Pedestrian Pathway Street Parking Bus Lane Macleod Trail Bike lane Furniture | Landscape Zone The panel to show fired-clay tiles
Mixed-Use Development
Real Canadian Superstore
Perspective View Plaza, Cohousing and Orchard
Perspective View SAPL Building
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Urban Corridor Repair: First Street SE
Vincent Ellis
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Urban Corridor Repair: First Street SE
The first priority for this streetscape design is to improve the cohesion north to south. At present, the disparate, unintelligible blocks are not working together to form an imageable corridor. It is a pity that the high-value icons in this area are so isolated from one another, the Arts district and the Riverfront might as well be on different planets; besides casting its long shadow, the Bow Tower has no relationship with Chinatown. True cohesion is going to be implemented with the introduction and repetition of elements and an over-arching motif. These elements include: LID & bio-filtration mechanisms such as rain gardens and bio-swales, special use lanes for events and pop-up commerce, distinct paving schema to delineate augmented use patterns, street furniture and trees. The over-arching motif will be a stream corridor theme, threading the many components together in a linear wayfinding element that culminates in a riverfront park. This stream concept can be achieved with a combination of decorative/performative paving, murals, stormwater controls, and more. Not only would this make a profound identity, but would also call to mind the city’s relationship and reliance on water. Another priority of this design is the vitality of the street, which must be achieved through a competent melding of program and form. Increasing the residential land use will inject some life and help establish a neighbourhood familiarity. This strategy can also play a role in the removal and replacement of the eyesores and impediments to good public realm. Breaking up the mega-block that the Harry Hays currently occupies will go a long way to improving the walkability and activation of the streetscape. The new buildings can take a more appropriate form in the transition from towering central core to low-lying riverfront. As well, these buildings will host uses and programming that is relevant and integrated with their surroundings.
Vincent Ellis
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
“Meld� - Conceptual Plan
3rd ave
4th ave
5th ave
6th ave
centre st
7th ave
8th ave
Masterplan
MacLeod Tr
Masterplan Legend
View of the Riverfront massing model
Footprint size vs. # of Uses existing local buildings
Historic Fire Hall no. 1 & surroundings
Space between Historic Fire Hall and Bow Tower
Central Zone Plan showing pedestiran circulation
Space between NW Travellers & Bow Tower
6th ave & 1 st
Conceptual section 221 1 St SE looking south
221 1 st SE plan view
Conceptual section 411 1 St SE looking south
Conceptual section 727 1 St SE looking north
subgrade drainage & stream motif concept
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Re-Imagine Winter in 9 Block
Weiting Huang
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Re-Imagine Winter in 9 Block
As I notice, people basically stay indoor, offices and +15, rather than enjoying street-level places in downtown Calgary during cold times. Imagine walking in downtown Calgary on a nice sunny noon in winter, but there are no people playing in the plazas; all you can see are dirty streets with pooled water and snowdrifts, as well as uninviting sidewalks. People endure winters in downtown because of improper winter city designs. This shows a lower level of public realm in the civic district, and damages our urban safety, positive qualities of northern climate living, and the image of a vibrant city. So how to make a place that citizens want to spend time during winter months? The objective of this project is to apply a landscape approach to winter city design and develop strategies to make downtown Calgary more winter-friendly. -Propose a liveable downtown through compactness, a mix of land use, and connected pedestrian networks -Provide safe, comfortable and enjoyable streetscape by proper design of snow storage and water drainage, as well as clear multi-zone sidewalks -Integrate elements of landscape design for better winter experiences by adequate street trees, site-specific trees, shrubs and groundcovers, as well as multi-level group plantation
Weiting Huang
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
9 Block
Context Map Calgary East Downtown
Land Use Map 9 Block
Sun and Shadow Map on 12.21 9 Block
City Narratives in Winter | Major User Groups Concentration of People is City Hall LRT Station
Street Interface Quality
Sidewalk Quality
Street Crossing Quality
One Winter Day in 9 Block of Selected Users | Senior People and Local Family
Open Space Quality (Winter-city Amenities)
Vegetation and Plantation Quality
Safety and Security Quality
One Winter Day in 9 Block of Selected Users | College Student and Homeless People
0
100
250
500m
type Deciduous Trees Shrubs Perennial Ornamental Grasses Perennial Groundcovers
snow snow snow snow heated heated storage storage heated heated storage storage awnings awnings shelter shelter area area awnings awnings shelter shelter area area
car splash
site-specific trees, site-specific trees, site-specific trees, site-specific trees, shrubs and shrubs and shrubs and shrubs and groundcovers groundcovers groundcovers groundcovers
soil condition
sun
Ulmus Americana 'Brandon' Fraxinus Pennsylvanica Cornus Stolonifera or Sericea Calamgrostis x Acutiflora "Karl Foerster" Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi
Brandon Elm Green Ash Red Osier Dogwood Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass Bearberry
native both dry and moist, salt-tolerant native drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant native both dry and moist, no particular to pH both dry and moist, no particular to pH native both dry and moist, salt-tolerant
Dec
winter Jan Feb
Mar
Jun
summer Jul Aug
fall Oct
Sep fall colour fall colour
red branches
flowers
berries
fall colour fall colour
evergreen foliage
flowers
berries
Plant Palette | Plants are selected based on below criteria: cold resistant, salt resistant species that can bring all-sea son interests and withstand harsh environments.
Brandon Elm Green Ash
Karl Foerster Red Osier Red Grass Dogwood
Street Trees Reduce Wind Effect | Wind Downdraft Effect
Bearberry
| Wind Corner Acceleration
Multi-level Group Planting
| Wind Channeling Effect
slope slope
existing poor
Macleod Trail Design Concept | Proposed barrier-free sidewalks with group-planting vegetation, continuous awnings, snow storage areas and outdoor shelters provide a safe/enjoyable streetscape in winter.
spring Apr May
proposed good
lower storage design
raised crosswalk
Provision of Snow Storage Area & Proper Water Drainage | Separated Snow | Water discharges | Raised crossings Storage Area into piping systems reduce ice build-up
existing poor
people flow
car splash
origin
retail/cafe
wind
common name
building facade people flow
snow
latin name
proposed good
Clear Multi-zone Sidewalks | Create room for barrier-free movement and snow storage
Nov
outdoor café with outdoor café with outdoor café with outdoor café with outdoor café with continuous continuous continuous continuous continuous 2-lane 2-lane 2-lane group 2-lane warm service: warm service: warm service: warm service: warm service: seasonal seasonal seasonal seasonal group seasonal group 2-lane group group awnings awnings lighting awnings awnings awnings way way plantation way blankets, heaters blankets, heaters blankets, heaters blankets, heaters blankets, heaters lighting lightingway lighting plantation lighting plantationway plantation plantation
Improve crosswalk with plants and patterns
Red Osier Dogwood
Trees direct the movement a
Outdoor café with ‘warm’ service Activate building façade with stores
Proposed Residential Building
a
Redesigned commercial street with ground-floor Stores/Cafes
Section a-a Looking North The multi-level planting method groups different plants together for providing better wind barriers and protecting people from traffic and car splash. This works better than planting street trees in a row only.
Temporary street parking
continuous continuous seasonal awnings awnings lighting
Two-lane road
seasonal 2-lane lighting way
2-lane group group way plantation plantation
outdoor café with outdoor café with warm service: warm service: blankets, heaters blankets, heaters
fire pit
Continuous facades with awnings b
Central Library
3rd St. SE
b
Raised crosswalks c
c
Section b-b Looking North Offering appropriate winter amenities or features to people is important. These features can be small offers like blankets, heaters, or warm colours, proper materials, seasonal lightings in the urban environment.
Snow storage area
Bearberry Karl Foerster Reed Grass Bus shelter with heater
continuous 2-lane group snow seasonal site-specific trees, awnings way plantation storage lighting shrubs and area groundcovers fire pit
outdoor café with warm service: blankets, heaters
Green Ash Brandon Elm
n 0 12.5 25m
3rd Street Design Concept | The redesigned 2-lane way, ground-floor commercial stores along the municipal buildings and site-specific landscape design provide a better quality of winter-city environment.
Section c-c Looking North Habitable outdoor spaces encourage winter activities if heaters/blankets are provided in the public space. Proper snow storage areas increase safety and improve winter-city comfort.
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Olympic Plaza Renewal Master Plan : Reimagining the civic plaza and Calgary culture district
Daeun Diane Lee
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Olympic Plaza Renewal Master Plan : Reimagining the civic plaza and Calgary culture district
Significant demographic shifts are taking place across the North America, and Calgary is no exception. More people have chosen to live in urban clustered living environments, and Calgary is responding to this global shift. Plus, people have higher expectations for quality public realms and cultural richness than ever before. Given this, Calgary’s city core requires work.
In view of these trends, what can we do for the downtown core, which at present consists of a mixture of heritage and under-utilized buildings? How can we convert what can be changed to create a more integrated and culturally vibrant living environment that responds to the ever-growing demand? Perhaps we also need radical thinking that can result in new ways of thinking about the core. Doing a makeover of the public plaza is probably the most cost-effective way to reinvigorate the surrounding environment. The primary design feature is the refurbished skate rink - reflection pond, which combines with an outdoor event stage. Proposed cultural centre and abundant sitting and gathering spaces among the green canopy will play a key role in developing its vicinity in succession and reimagining the fabric of downtown Calgary.
This report carefully analyzes how the Olympic Plaza and surrounding area presently works and suggests design decisions based on the research results. Below is a overview of the report. Main Issues Poor permeability and dissonant edge conditions Scattered features discourage visiting the plaza Under-utilized spaces result in a stark desolate plaza Key considerations 1. Preserve Olympic and civic legacies 2. Response to surrounding environment 3. Increase connectivity by distinguishing the main axis to ancillary destinations 4. Formulate further suggestions for better connectivity 5. Suggest an adaptable multi-purpose venue 6. Consider how user groups are currently using the plaza 7. Design for all seasons 8. Arrange suitable program use on environmentally fitting location 9. Rethink inactive spaces to align with city’s vision Vision Enhance cultural and physical connectivities Increase active open spaces with clear visibility for better public realm Encourage re-imagining of the downtown cultural district
Daeun Diane Lee
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
Greenspace
Site location
1. Visitor - By Public transportation
1.Preserve Olympic and civic legacies SIXTH AVENUE SE
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
Ground Parking
Civic Institution
SOUTH
EB CENTRE ST. STN
CITY HALL STN
OLD CITY HALL
RIV
STEPHEN AVENUE
ER
ER W ALK
FIRST STREET SE
BOW RIV
Doner’s Brick Location
MACLEOD TRAIL N.
CALGARY CONVENTION CENTRE
GLENBOW MUSEUM
CHINA TOWN
ARTS COMMONS
2.Response to surrounding environment NINTH AVENUE SE
2. Visitor - By Vehicle
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
CONVENTION CENTRE
OLYMPIC PLAZA
STEPHEN AVENUE
CITY HALL AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Retail / Eatery Recreation Civic Institution Education Office Church
Land use - Open Space CALGARY CENTRAL LIBRARY
ARTS COMMONS
STUDIO BELL
CALGARY TOWER
3.Increase connectivity by distinguishing the main axis to ancillary destinations
3. Student
The sunniest area throughout the year
4.Formulate further suggestions for better connectivity SIXTH AVENUE SE
5 MIN WALKING DISTANCE
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE SOUTH
WEST
EB CENTRE ST. STN
SOUTH
CITY HALL STN
OLD CITY HALL CALGARY CONVENTION CENTRE
OLYMPIC PLAZA
4. Resident
Further development suggested
MACLEOD TRAIL N.
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
STEPHEN AVENUE
GLENBOW MUSEUM
FIRST STREET SE
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
ARTS COMMONS
SIXTH AVENUE SE
BMO CENTRE
5.Suggest an adaptable multi-purpose venue NINTH AVENUE SE
Sun and Shade Study
ROCKY MOUNTAIN COURT
ENTRY 4.3
4.1 4.1
4.4
STEPHEN AVENUE
4.1
ENTRY
RECREATION
4.2
1.4
ENTRY 1.2 1.1 MAIN ENTRY POINT 1.2 ACCESS FROM STEPHEN AVE 1.3 TO MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1.4 FROM HISTORIC CITY HALL 1.5 TO ENGINEERED AIR THEATRE
STEPHEN AVENUE
2.1
1.1 MAIN ENTRY POINT 1.2 ACCESS FROM STEPHEN AVE 2.2 1.3 TO MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1.4 FROM HISTORIC CITY HALL 2.4 1.5 TO ENGINEERED AIR THEATRE
5. Office worker
STATIC ACTIVITY
2.1 SEASONAL ACTIVITY 3.1 GROUP SITTING -SKATE RINK / REFLECTION POND 3.2 SECONDARY ENTRANCE POINT 2.2 TERRACED LAWN / OPEN SITTING TO THE PLAZA 2.3 COMMERCIAL OLD -SKATE HUT / TEATRO PATIO 2.4 TERRACE - VIEW TO THE PLAZA CITY HALL 2.5 ARTS COMMON SERVICE AREA -ENTRY / VEHICLE LANDING / EATERY
ACTIVE STATIC ACTIVITY 3.1 2.1 SEASONAL ACTIVITY 3.1 GROUP SITTING 2.2 -SKATE RINK / REFLECTION POND 3.2 SECONDARY ENTRANCE POINT
4.1 INADEQUADE PROGRAM 4.2 UNDERUTILIZED AREA -NOT IN USED FOR INITIAL PURPOSE 4.3 DEDICATED TO CITY PARK DEPT. -STORAGE, MAINTENANCE SHED 4.4 ELEVATED LANDING - BARRIER
INACTIVE
4.1 INADEQUADE PROGRAM 4.2 UNDERUTILIZED AREA 2.2 TERRACED LAWN / OPEN SITTING TO THE PLAZA -NOT IN USED FOR INITIAL PURPOSE CALGARY 2.3 COMMERCIAL 4.3 DEDICATED TO CITY PARK DEPT. -SKATE HUT / TEATRO PATIO -STORAGE, MAINTENANCE SHED PUBLIC 2.4 TERRACE - VIEW TO THE 4.2 PLAZA 4.4 ELEVATED LANDING - BARRIER ACTIVE2.3 STATIC ACTIVITY INACTIVE LIBRARY 2.5 ARTS COMMON SERVICE AREA -ENTRY 2.5 1.3 / VEHICLE LANDING / EATERY 4.1 INADEQUADE PROGRAM 2.1 SEASONAL ACTIVITY 3.1 GROUP SITTING -SKATE RINK / REFLECTION POND 3.2 SECONDARY ENTRANCE POINT 4.2 UNDERUTILIZED AREA 2.2 TERRACED LAWN / OPEN SITTING TO THE PLAZA -NOT IN USED FOR INITIAL PURPOSE 2.3 COMMERCIAL 4.3 DEDICATED TO CITY PARK DEPT. -SKATE HUT / TEATRO PATIO -STORAGE, MAINTENANCE SHED 2.4 TERRACE - VIEW TO THE PLAZA 4.4 ELEVATED LANDING - BARRIER 2.5 ARTS COMMON SERVICE AREA / VEHICLE LANDING / EATERY -ENTRY ARTS
User groups and movement
1.5
4.4
INACTIVE 4.1 INADEQUADE PROGRAM 4.2 UNDERUTILIZED AREA -NOT IN USED FOR INITIAL PURPOSE 4.3 DEDICATED TO CITY PARK DEPT. -STORAGE, MAINTENANCE SHED 4.4 ELEVATED LANDING - BARRIER
-Student -Homeless -Visitors -Residents -Office Worker
INACTIVE
6. Homeless or vagarant
Olympic plaza current COMMONS Open Spaces Analysis
GLENBOW MUSEUM
STATIC ACTIVITY
3.1 GROUP SITTING -SKATE RINK / REFLECTION POND 3.2 SECONDARY ENTRANCE POINT 2.2 TERRACED LAWN / OPEN SITTING TO THE PLAZA 2.3 COMMERCIAL -SKATE HUT / TEATRO PATIO 2.4 TERRACE - VIEW TO THE PLAZA 2.5 ARTS COMMON SERVICE AREA -ENTRY / VEHICLE LANDING / EATERY
THIRD STREET S.E.
Site Context
2.3 3.2
FIRST STREET SE
UNDERUTILIZED LAND USE BLOCK
3.1
SOUTH 2.1 SEASONAL ACTIVITY
1.1 MAIN ENTRY POINT 1.2 ACCESS FROM STEPHEN AVE 1.3 TO MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1.4 FROM HISTORIC CITY HALL 1.5 TO1.1 ENGINEERED AIR THEATRE
4.3
CALGARY CONVENTION CENTRE
CIVIC INSTITUTION
CITY HALL ACTIVE STN
ENTRY
EB CENTRE ST. STN
MACLEOD TRAIL N.
OLYMPIC PLAZA
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE ACTIVE
1.1 MAIN ENTRY POINT 1.2 ACCESS FROM STEPHEN AVE 1.3 TO MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1.4 FROM HISTORIC CITY HALL 1.5 TO ENGINEERED AIR THEATRE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN PLAZA
6.Consider how user groups are currently using the plaza
7.Design for all seasons 8.Arrange suitable program use on environmentally fitting location Shadow Study
The sunniest area throughout the year
9. Rethink inactive spaces to align with city’s vision
9 Key considerations
Section Comparison
1
CALGARY ART AND
5 Calgary Municipal Building
2. Distinguished Entry
Olympic Plaza
1
9 2.5m
Street
3.3m
3.3m
3.3m
12m
3.3m
Street
4
8
2 FIRST STREET SE
Current
OLYMPIC PLAZA
3 6
3. Form
Proposed
Olympic Plaza
3.3m
3
OPEN STAGE
4
CALGARY’S TOUR INFO CENTRE SEASONAL OPEN VENDOR OUTDOOR PATIO
5 6
7
STEPHEN AVENUE
Calgary Municipal Building
Olympic Plaza Renewal Master Plan
7
RAMP
8
ARTS COMMON FRONT YARD
9
LOADING DOCK ACCESS TO CULTURE CENTRE
3.3m
O square Terraced Sitting Art and culture Centre - event hall
4. Simplification & Adjustment Seasonal activities -Ground fountain/ Skate rink
Open Stage
5. Refinement
Vehicle Access
6. Concept Plan
Retails Restaurant
St ep
he
nA ve n
ue
Culture Centre
Design development
Site programs
l rai T d
SE
leo
c Ma
O SQUARE
HALL STN 2 CITYCULTURE CENTRE
EB CENTRE ST. STN
MACLEOD TRAIL N.
1. Main Axis
Adaptable Event Venue
MAIN FEATURES
EB CENTRE 1 ST. STN
2
7 EN
PH
E ST
E
8
Doner Brick are partially reused for the siding material of square, and shade structure provided.
1
3 6
5 4
MAIN FEATURES
1
O SQUARE
Olympic shaped Ground fountain Skate rink. Event space “Olympic Square”
AC L
D
TR
AI
L
2
3
2
CITY HALL STN
CALGARY ART AND CULTURE CENTRE
4
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
MAIN FEATURES
1
3
A versatile main square located in the middle of the plaza. Olympic shaped Ground fountain Skate rink. Event space “Olympic Square”
CALGARY ART AND CULTURE CENTRE A green house -themed theatre or gallery venue, integrated with ground floor retails that are directly accessible from the street
3
OPEN STAGE
OPEN STAGE
5
Slightly higher than the ground level but still farily flat to increase accessbility and encourage its use to everyone
4
CALGARY’S TOUR INFO CENTRE
6
6
OUTDOOR PATIO Serve Teatro and proposed restaurant on the main floor of the Culture Centre
7
RAMP
SEASONAL OPEN VENDOR
8
ARTS COMMON FRONT YARD
Located north edge of the Plaza, offers seasonal retail opportunity
9
LOADING DOCK ACCESS TO CULTURE CENTRE
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
5
SEASONAL OPEN VENDOR Located north edge of the Plaza, offers seasonal retail opportunity
Relocate to the NE corner of the plaza, to in crease accessibility and regibility of the city centre.
Doner Brick are partially reused for the siding material of square, and shade structure provided.
2
CALGARY’S TOUR INFO CENTRE Relocate to the NE corner of the plaza, to in crease accessibility and regibility of the city centre.
A green house -themed theatre or gallery venue, integrated with ground floor retails that are directly accessible from the street
O SQUARE
OPEN STAGE Slightly higher than the ground level but still farily flat to increase accessbility and encourage its use to everyone
Doner Brick are partially reused for the siding material of square, and shade structure provided.
N.
CALGARY ART AND CULTURE CENTRE A green house -themed theatre or gallery venue, integrated with ground floor retails that are directly accessible from the street
A versatile main square located in the middle of the plaza.
M
EO
A versatile main square located in the middle of the plaza. Olympic shaped Ground fountain Skate rink. Event space “Olympic Square”
NU
E AV
O SQUARE
OUTDOOR PATIO Serve Teatro and proposed
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Calgary’s Civic District: Redefining Calgary East Downtown
Connie Tran
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Calgary’s Civic District: Redefining Calgary East Downtown
Calgary’s Downtown Core is central to the city’s daily function and has become an important hub as it is the epicenter of economics and shopping. In 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in Calgary and the town was incorporated in 1884. Since then, the city grew from what is now East Downtown, and the downtown core grew taller as an oil boom and by laws allowed it to in the 1950s. Current East Downtown is characterized primarily by commercial office buildings with some administrative and institutional buildings. The road network is shaped in a grid-like pattern and prioritizes vehicular traffic. The busiest pedestrian areas are along streets with high ground level access and many public transit stops. Calgary’s East Downtown also have structures to start a civic district which is defined to contain cultural and recreational facilities along-side administrative functions. These current structures include a public library, arts and performance facilities, a museum, a convention centre, a music centre, and the administrative building. Taking from prominent European and North American cities familiar with mixed-use downtown cores, such as Zurich, Amsterdam, Oslo, and Boston; a conceptual district master plan was developed to answer the 3 key issues of East Downtown. These issues are the transit station is not a hub, Macleod Trail is a pedestrian barrier, and there is a lack of residents in the area. The conceptual district master plan is developed with bold moves to ensure that the public realm is read as one cohesive space, a place that Calgarians can call the Heart of the city and for visitors to comprehend easily. The big moves include a mixed-use transit hub and municipal building, a linear plaza in place of Macleod Trail, and residential ring.
Connie Tran
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
1883 - CPR arrives in Calgary, a town is established shortly after SAIT/ - Calgary City Hall 1909 Southern Alberta Jubilee Oil boom leading to economic core in downtown 1940sAuditorium/
B
To North West
CENTRE STREET
Eau Claire Market
OW
!
MO
RIA
LD
City Hall Station Calgary East Downtown
Crowded Macleod Trail Calgary East Downtown
Riverfront Point Residential Calgary East Downtown
Station is Not a Hub Lack of amenities and services within the station
Macleod Trail is a Barrier 5 lanes is a deterrent for pedestrians and public life
Lack of Residents Handful of residential buildings in area are high rise, not mid-rise
RIV
E !
!
!
! !
!
!
!
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! !
!
Fort Calgary
NINTH AVE S
BO
W
ER
RIV ER RIV W BO
st
EL
Ea
FOURTH ST S
th
FIFTH ST S
Inglewood Main Street
ou
!
S To
To South
17 Avenue Main
!
BMO Centre
h East
To Nort
Calgary Zoo
!
!
City Hall
Telus Convention Centre
Municipal Building
8 Ave Glenbow Museum
To East
3 st
Macleod Tr
1 St
Centre St
Street Calgary’s Downtown Core, central to the city’s economic functions, Calgary Stampede is located near many amenities andParkattractions. Many ofCanadian the city’s Repsol Sport Centre Pacific Railway prominent roadways and transit routes intersect here.
9 Ave
Mid-Rise Mixed-Use Residential Zurich / Amsterdam Density to support community
Telus SPARKS Science Centre
ME
!
To West
7 Ave
Burial of Highway Oslo / Boston Cause for a robust public realm
IL
Prince’s Island Park
Mixed-Use Main Train Station Zurich / Amsterdam Hubs for everyday life
RA
R
VE
RI
TT OO
!
Kensington Main Street
RF
ACAD
E DE
To North
!
Arts Common
Central Library National Music Centre
CPR
The Start of a Civic District A civic district includes cultural and recreational facilities along-side administrative buildings, some of which the area has.
B O W
Rive
nt A ve
R I V E R
Macleod Tr
1 St
Centre St
rfro
10
4 Ave
8
8 7
5 Ave
1
City Hall Olympic Plaza
2
Transit Hub/New Municipal Building
3
Arts and Cultural Facility
4
Stephen Ave. and Cultural Facilities
5
Hotel
6
Recreational Facilities
7
Education Facilities
8
Residential Buildings
9
Central Library
10
Cycle Lane
City Hall Station and Municipal Building as a Transit Hub
Transit hub open interface with plaza space Viadukt, Zurich, Switzerland
Removal of Macleod Trail at ground level between 6 Avenue and 9 Avenue
Conversion of Macleod Trail to a linear plaza Big Dig - Boston Greenway, USA
Envelope the district with a ring of residential buildings
Mixed-use residential with robust public realm interaction Stephen Ave, Calgary. Artist: Thu Ngo
7
6 6 Ave
6
5
8 7 Ave
2 1
8 Ave
4
9 3
8
3
9 Ave
5
8
8
10
9 Ave
CPR
Conceptual District Master Plan Project goals are to redefine Calgary East Downtown as the Civic District. Conceptual district master plan will increase daily interaction, accessibility, and perceived safety.
Multipurpose District Redevelopment of the land use plan to incorporate diverse functions and more residential. Map 1 by EVDL 777 Class
People Oriented Breaking through Macleod Trail and Municipal Building to connect 8 Ave to Central Library.
Recreation Facility
A Destination for All Creating a destination rather than a thorough space to increase interactivity. Analysis by: Arezoo, Karly, Thu, Connie
Bow Valley College
Playground
Ice Rink/ Wading Pool
Plaza Design Considerations City Hall as central focus of the design
Telus Convention Centre
Visitor Centre
City Hall
Transit Hub/ Municipal Building
Example of linear park Beekman St Plaza, Plattsburg, New York, USA
Teatro Olympic Plaza Central Library Glenbow Museum
Original sketch of the purpose current Municipal Building by Christopher Ballyn
Arts Common
Cultural Facility
Conceptual Plan of City Hall Olympic Plaza Reimagined City Hall and Olympic Plaza blocks to serve as a self contained hub for the district
Recreational Facility and public space look and feel City Museum, St Louis / Splash Pool, Viadukt, Zurich / Klyde Warren Park, Dallas, Texas
Transit Hub can open as such Markthal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown When Meaning Met Meaningfulness: Revealing + Celebrating Calgary’s Civic Heart
Karly Do
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown When Meaning Met Meaningfulness: Revealing + Celebrating Calgary’s Civic Heart
I think that it’s in our nature to wonder about meaning. From expanding our vocabulary to reading another person’s body language, we are constantly asking ourselves “What does that mean?”, whether we know it or not. I find myself asking this question quite often and the following thoughts have occupied my mind while learning about landscape architecture and urban design over the past 3 years: what is the meaning of a place? What does it mean to be meaningful? And are meaning and meaningfulness the same thing? Calgary’s East Downtown is full of places that have an important meaning to what makes up a “Civic Heart”: from the library to the Arts Commons to City Hall and the plethora of social services available in this area, this part of downtown offers the opportunity for people from all walks of life to feel welcome and included. Though it has an important meaning, East Downtown is not meaningful; it’s not a place where people typically visit for leisure and have a personal sentiment attached. It’s not easy to navigate between these places with meaning because the public realm does not currently offer any sort of intuitive wayfinding tool that implies that these places have a relationship to one another. The proposal is a circulator route that reveals Calgary’s Civic Heart by linking the places with meaning through a meaningful, high quality public realm that encourages people to visit, linger, and get to know the Civic Heart. The proposal also includes a reimagination of the block currently occupied by Old City Hall and the Municipal Building. By breathing new life into the site with the addition of a new opera house and new building forms that embrace both sides of the block, this site will become a new and welcoming entrance to the circulator route via City Hall C-train station.
Karly Do
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
Calgary’s Civic Heart Institutional Social services Open spaces Administration Cultural
Bench Tree
Standing Sitting
Centre St S
Meaning: Designated Historic Resources
X O
++ +
+ +
o
o
3 Ave SE
+++ ++ o
++
++
Chinatown What is the meaning of this place? The contents of Calgary’s Civic Heart 13 frontages/100m
13 facade signs
Grade B frontage*
Meaningfulness: Pedestrian experience in Chinatown 14 frontages/100m
o
++
+
o
o + + Ste ++ +++Av o++phen + +e
Stephen Avenue 15 facade signs
Grade B frontage* + +
Meaning: Landmarks
1 St SE
+
Meaningfulness: Pedestrian experience in Stephen Avenue Chinatown
2 frontages/100m
o facade signs
Grade E frontage*
What is this place in between?
Meaningfulness: Pedestrian experience at the Harry Hays Building 2 frontages/100m
1 facade sign
Grade E frontage*
Macleod Tr SE
Harry Hays Building
Landmarks and Corporations
Stephen Avenue
4 Ave SE
+
East Village
Meaning: Districts
Meaningfulness: Pedestrian experience at the Municipal Building * According to the Urban Design Compendium
Municipal Building
++ ++
+ + + ++ oo +o +
Centre St S
Meaning: Places with Social Significance
13
Plaza gardens
1 Calgary Tower
18m
5 Olympic Plaza
Macleod Tr SE
1m
6.7m
1m
18m
6 Arts Commons
7 New Municipal Building* 3 St SE
1 St SE
Mixed use/ residential development
3 Telus Convention Centre 4 Glenbow Museum
Centre St S
Cafe seating
2 Stephen Avenue
12 14
11
Planted buffer
Planted buffer
8 Opera House*
4 Ave SE
9 Central Library
River promenade
10 Education Complex 11 Science Center*
Planted buffer
12 Botanical Garden*
Planted buffer
Employment center
13 Bow River
5 Ave SE
14 Chinatown
16
15 Family of Man sculpture
15
16 The Bow 17 Telus Sky
6 Ave SE
19m
1m
6.7m
1m
14m
* Proposed development
17 10
Transitional passage
7 Ave SE
Olympic Plaza 5
Old City Hall
7
9
2 3
4
1
6
Pedestrian-only road
20m
6.7m
20m
8
9 Ave SE
50m
The proposed circulator route links the places that define our Civic Heart.
Cultural promenade River promenade Science Center
Transitional passage
Mixed-use development
Municipal building Cultural promenade
Precedent Studies Confederation Boulevard | Ottawa
Civic Center | San Francisco
National Mall | Washington
Opera house
Experiential segments and proposed developments
Materials palette
1
Double row of elm
2
Railroad pergola
3
Car-free Macelod Tr
4
Planting beds
5
Old City Hall gardens
6
Planted buffer
7
Benches
8
Relocated crosswalk
9
Retail
Retail
Offices
Old City Hall A
Offices New Municipal Building
Oblique view of the plaza Cafe
City Hall station
B
B’ Retail Cafe A’
Opera House
View from Macleod Trail towards Municipal Building entrance
Retail Retail
50m
The New Municipal Building and Opera House breathes new life into the block
Double row of elm trees Old City Hall
Opera House
Double row of elm trees Double row of elm trees
6m
Double row of elm trees
Railroad pergola
Railroad pergola
50m
Section AA’
Double row of elm trees
View from Opera House entrance towards railroad pergola
25m
6.7m
Section BB’
12m
2m
6m
2m
Materials palette
The Morphology of Urban Repair East Downtown Calgary Park Network Masterplan
Sheri DeBoer
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair East Downtown Calgary Park Network Masterplan
East Downtown Calgary is in need of revitalization. It boasts successful landmarks such as the City Hall, new Central Library, Olympic Park, The Bow Tower, Steven Avenue, China Town and art destinations that can attract people and contribute to the culture and vitality of the City. The landmarks, however lack an inviting public realm to connect them to eachother and to the Bow River as a recreational amenity. The streets feels hostile and unsafe, and the sidewalks, parks and plazas are underutilized or unwelcoming. The area has the second highest crime rate in the City, a lack of diversity of people. The amount of park space within east downtown also under-serves the population as it lacks in area and quality for the residents that currently live in there. With that, the ecology is composed of untreated stormwater runoff flowing straight in to the river, buildings within the floodway, and a heat island effect raising the temperature above natural conditions. The goal of this project is to the repair the urban realm while of creating social equity and safety, ecological resilience, and connectivity. This will be achieved through a park network masterplan that will address the issues of the area and inject vibrancy to the streets. With the addition of new mixed-use multi-family complexes to increase the residential population, the masterplan will increase parks space and pedestrian realm that will populate the streets and become a destination for visitors and tourists alike. The park network will take over two streets to create car-free linear parks that take over the entire public realm, from building to building. Steven Avenue is to be connected all the way through the East Village, and smaller collector parks will serve the local users. The network masterplan will create ecological robustness, health, and happiness and a new injection of life into East Downtown.
Sheri DeBoer
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
Bow River
China Town District
Prince’s Island
Eau Claire
China Town
Bow River Pathway
Park Network C - Train
Downtown Core
East Village
Downtown West End
Fort Calgary
Elbow River
Saint Patrick’s Island
Pearce Estate
L
Bow
Bow Valley College
Bow Tower
Non-Point Source Stormwater Plume
ok Par
k
Sien
Project Context
Riv er P ath
wa y
Short
Olym
Bo w
rk Pa
Valley
87% Impermeable Surfaces
Olympic Plaza
P pic laz
Cit
Hall Pa rk
y
Stormwater Flow
k Poc et
rk Pa
9Ave
Municipal Bldg
Glenbow Museum
a
Residential Support Services
Estimated 3,772 Residents
of Ma ily
n
Fam
es
rk Pa
Ja m
Bird Sanctuary
8% of Area is Park
Collect and Divert Stormwater
Steven Avenue
Arts Commons
East Downtown Landmarks
Utilitarian One-Way Streets
Three pillars to address the issues will create a robust park network and inject vibrancy to the area.
Blank Walls and Few Entrances
New Central Library
Existing Features
Strategy
Evapotranspiration
River Front Low Rise Mixed Use
1
Precipitation
City Beautiful Formality
2
Filtration Detention Retention
10
12
11
3
4
8
Environmental Factors Topography + Stormwater + Flood Zones
5
Masterplan to include fine grained & permeable mixed use residential buildings
Strategy to Overlay City Beautiful with ecological principals on the current structure
Bow
r
e Pl a
H Olympic Plaza
lC
onnec tio
Cit
n
Steven Avenue
Perspective View of 1st Street SE
y Hal
Meet
mily of
tivat
Ac
n Pa
Fa
Pl a z a
Ma
ling G ea
d en ar
Up
Calgary Tower Park Network Masterplan
Linear Parks
Rive
rk
Corn
e rs
ed
6
y
Activ
k
China
ar
wn P To
150m
300m
7
3
Park Network Structure
Fort Calgary Perspective View of 3rd Street SE
4
Draw in the people from the towers. Lunch stop for meetup
5
Street Plazas to connect the important intersections
9
Park space for the Calgary Tower Better connection from Olympic Plaza and City hall. Provide place for transit users Pocket Park from the library and grocery, across from Bow Valley Pocket park outside the church providing refuge from the train and meeting place
Student Residences Low Rise Mixed Use
Linear Parks Connecting Parks
Activated corners taking advantage of micro-climate and provide refuge from the intersection
Active park with play elements to draw residential users and bow river users
10 Central park for college residents lunches
3
Medium Rise Mixed Use
3
8
Ecological Strategies
Family of Man Residences
Park for China Town users
6 7
Soil Cells
Built + Structural Form Trees + Buildings + Streets
1 2
Connecting Parks
5
11 Public/Private park for mixed use users 12 Open meadow and forest bathing healing garden
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 1
Central Conduit Path Vegetated Plaza Family of Man Park Medium Rise Mixed Use Residences Public/Private Mixed Use Plaza Hill Slide Informal path through Trees
5 Ave SE
7
Municipal Building Glass Hall enue
5
5 Ave SE
8 Av
1 4
6
Continue the connection from 8ave through to the East Village
3 5 7
3
4
2 6
25m
50m
Detail Plan of 1st Street Se Linear park and Family of Man Park. The park utilizes the entire public realm with a central conduit path crossing through.
Sections to determine the space, interest and amenities
25m
50m
6 Ave SE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Grocery Store Cafe Style Seating Bow Valley College Bench Seating Meandering Vegetation Permeable Paving Stones Street Parking
Detail Plan of 3rd Street SE Linear Park highlighting the tree canopy through the centre and public seating and space for pause.
Collage Visualization of Glass Hall
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Life between the Buildings | Street - Building Interface and the Quality of Public Realm
Thu Ngo
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Life between the Buildings | Street - Building Interface and the Quality of Public Realm
The ground level of the urbanism is reserved for people and the public realm. This is where the life of the city truly happens, especially in the transitional zones where the streets meet the buildings. As places of meeting and conciliation, these street – building interfaces should be active, safe, comfortable, and engaging. During the dynamic transformations of Calgary led by its economic growth, much of the historic commercialresidential urban fabric was removed, making room for huge, single-functional blocks. Wide vehicular streets, “faceless” buildings and depressing sidewalks have soon filled out the city centre. On these streets, people tend to leave than to stay, as such, the city’s cultural and other valuable diversities have no space to manifest. A vibrant city depends on its livable streets. Buildings and streets are our ecosystems. To nurture their symbiotic relationship, their interface needs to be designed properly so that pedestrian energy can easily penetrate between the duo. After a half-century of misguided obeisance to the needs of automobiles, we have begun the long process of reclaiming our streets for people. This project is devoted to re-imagining the reciprocity between both building and street sides of that symbiosis, aiming at rescuing the ground floor from insignificance and reasserting social, civic and economic values at street level for a more versatile, commercial-efficient, and beautiful urban environment of the city centre.
Thu Ngo
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
ec
o
gi
c
al
objectives
energy
systems goals
o
l
civic
strategy
economic
above ground air, energy, water, atmosphere
PUBLIC SENSE ON THE STREET
ACTIVE BUILDING - STREET INTERACTION
DENSIFIED GROUND FLOOR
BUILDING - STREET INTERFACE INTERSTITIAL OUTDOOR SPACE
STREET FACADE REFORM
GROUND FLOOR REMIX
vibrant urban environment in Calgary East Downtown
people
ground level services, functionality, aesthetics, public realm underground transportation services, energy management, water cycle
social
goods
interactions
commercial
most active interface
office / institutional
moderate active interface
residential
semi-private interface
Urbanism on three levels: The ground level is reserved for people, and the public realm. This is where the life of the city truly happens, especially at the transition between public and private space, where the street meets the building.
Interactive street-building interfaces could bring together pedestrian energy at street level
Streetwall Discontinuity
Streetwall Discontinuity
Streetwall Discontinuity
Streetwall Discontinuity
Bow Valley College North Campus
Bow Valley College West Campus
Educational Centre Building
Ground floor Zone Windows
6 Avenue SE
140m without entries
Doors
SAPL
Bow Valley College South Campus
Streetwall Discontinuity
Streetwall Discontinuity
Rocky Mountain Plaza
Streetwall Discontinuity
Ground floor Zone
4 Avenue SE
ISSUES
building footprint
shady edge
sunny edge
privately-owned public space (POPS)
4 Avenue SE
Mixed-use Block
POPS
SAPL New Campus
POPS
POPS 5 Avenue SE
6 Avenue SE
Bow Valley College POPS
3 Street SE
Central Art School
Mixed-use Block POPS
3 Street SE
Macleod Trail
5 Avenue SE
Macleod Trail
OPPORTUNITIES
6 Avenue SE current street facade
Interface type 1: Tangent
Interface type 2: Intersect
6 Avenue SE
Mixed-use Block POPS
Mixed-use Block
Bow Valley College
POPS SORCE
POPS 7 Avenue SE
7 Avenue SE
Olympic Plaza
Issue - Opportunity synthesis diagram
City Hall
Interstitial outdoor spaces offer spaces for social mingling and create an internal open space corridor to break up the big blocks.
Interface type 3: Intertwine
YWCA building to be replaced by SAPL New Campus with essential facilities for students
shop
shop
shop
SAPL bookstore
shop shop shop
shop
shop
shop
office
shop
shop
shop
restaurants / cafes retail stores
shop
apartment entrances
shop
shop shop
shop shop
shop
3 Street SE
shop shop
shop
Bow Valley College
shop
shop
shop
shop
foodcourt
shop
shop shop shop
office Macleod Trail
art school
shop shop shop
shop
shop
shop
5 Avenue SE
Street facade reform: proposed 6 Avenue SE facade door
shop
window
shop
shop
office
shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
bookstore Bow Valley College
shop
shop
shop
shop shop
shop
shop
shop
shop
office
foodcourt
shop
shop
shop
6 Avenue SE
SORCE
Rocky Mountain Mixed-use Block New Art School
shop shop
7 Avenue SE
City Hall
Remixing the ground floors with active uses. The more mixed up, the more dynamic and interactive activity pattern can be achieved.
Street facade reform: proposed Macloed Trail SE facade
storefront
classroom
institutionals
SAPL residence
cafe
Bow Valley College North Campus
walk-in offices / services
shop
SAPL
bus stop
sidewalk
Bow Valley College campuses to be remained to contribute the student population to the area.
Mixed-use Block shop
plus 15
bookstore
classroom POPS
sidewalk
art supplies
4 Avenue SE
shop
cafeteria
bookstore
art school patio
plaza
art gallery
restaurant
cafeteria
New Art School with proposed ground floor uses and streetscape to activate the frontage of old Central Educational Building
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Center Street Boulevard
Jie Li
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair East Downtown Calgary Center Street Boulevard
The center street boulevard focuses on creating a linkage and a pedestrian network to weaken the interruptions created by skyscrapers and traffic barriers. This plan is also seeking ways to preserve the respective characteristics of different places with distinctive cultural backgrounds. I am interested in the Center Street area is because I am interested in walkability and connections. Since the center street links to two major pedestrian districts, China Town and Stephen Ave., the issues I found through the analysis are in the middle part of this street, it doesn’t possess a strong sense of place that was pedestrian-friendly. I found there are lots of narrow setbacks along the sidewalk, and no enough room for waiting for buses or for sitting. Furthermore, the tall Bow Tower creates a freezing wind tunnel in the center of this street along with other skyscrapers, and there are not enough shelters and benches to provide comfortable outdoor space for people to stay and to enjoy. In order to look for the answers, I did research on precedent projects, and I found a lot of useful ideas and inspired by NACTO, SASAKI, and St. Joan Boulevard. In the end, I created my strategies to repair the public realm between the two major dense pedestrian districts, China Town and Stephen Ave. My strategies are proposing new residential and mixed-use buildings to invite future city users, and to propose a bulb-outs design to enhance pedestrians ‘safety and stormwater management. Moreover, I am using planting strategies to provide four-season interest and shelters.
Jie Li
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
Issues Identify: The street lacks a pedestrianfriendly public realm
Master Plan The concept of this plan is to enhance the public realm and repair the connection. The general strategies are to expend the width of the sidewalk, propose bulb-outs in the intersections and shrub hedges along the curb.
General Strategies: Propose bulb-outs design; propose residential& mixed-use buildings; create planting strategies
Street Trees
Street Trees
Shrubs
Ground-level Planting (The Green Lounge) Grasses Japanese lilac
Amur cherry
White cedar
White birth
White cedar
American mountain ash
White cedar
Ground-level Planting
Paving network
Bulb-outs design
Micro clover
red-osier dogwood common juniper
Ivory halo dogwood
Feather reed grass
Blue select fescue Alpine currant
Savin juniper
Pink feather
Blue fescue
Feather reed grass
virginia creeper
Paving network
Miss Kim lilac creeping juniper
The Isometric streetscape includes different layers with applying different approaches (see the left diagrams for details).
Type1. China Town Boulevard
Type2. The Bow Boulevard
Type3. Stephen Ave. Boulevard
Based on the bulb-outs design, the detailed approaches are applied with different characteristics of streets, I divide the center street into three types, China Town, The Bow, and Stephen Avenue. The detailed approaches are applying different types of street trees, ground-level planting, which is my idea of building a “Green Lounge “along the street and using different paving materials to create a united pedestrian network.
Type1. China Town Boulevard
The lilac plants, cherry trees, and other evergreen plants provide four-season interest. Also, I used the sculptures of 12 traditional Chinese Zodiac to create a symbol of this street.
Type2. The Bow Boulevard
I used white birth and evergreen ornamental plants to focus on creating shelters and winter interest. I applied materials with porous recycled concrete and grasses.
Type3. Stephen Ave. Boulevard
The plants aim to provide bright colors with delicate shapes and fine texture. A combination with wider grass gaps and smaller stone patterns is provided in this boulevard to create a rural and nature-friendly feeling.
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Rethinking the urban river edge
Christina Peace
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair East Downtown Calgary Rethinking the urban river edge
As a class, we visited the Civic District on a warmer, sunny day in January. We began our journey at the CBDL and made our way north towards the river on
3 Street SE. Eventually, we reached the river; I remember thinking to myself, ‘this cannot be it’. The journey to the river was anti-climatic and the view to the river was blocked by a wide roadway.
To me, this the best place in the city and the Civic District does not do it justice, unlike East Village or Eau Claire, which leads me to my issue statement:
“The Civic District’s urban edge and the rivers edge are disintegrated. Because...
1. Busy vehicle-oriented roadways with no strong pedestrian legibility to/from the rivers edge 2. High degree of impermeable surfaces close to the riverfront 3. Uninviting single-use buildings 4. No ‘people places’ along the riverfront 5. Flooding issue due to high degree of impermeability 6. Streets have no connection to/from the river By gaining insight from East Village + Eau Claire and the issues present in the site, I developed a conceptual strategy to bring pedestrians to/from the riverfront and tempt them to stay at the river/urban edge.
Christina Peace
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
WHAT’S WITH THE CIVIC DISTR?
“
“
3. Uninviting single-use buildings
“
“
“
“
1. Busy vehicle-oriented roadways with no strong pedestrian legibility to/from the rivers edge
2. High degree of impermeable surfaces close to the riverfront
SITE ISSUES
4. No ‘people places’ along the riverfront
5. Flooding issue due to high degree of impermeability
6. Streets have no connection to/from the river
LESSONS LEARNED FROM EAU CLAIRE + EAST VILLAGE LESSON
Pedestrian realm (plazas, open spaces) extend into the urban fabric LESSON Vehicular roadways are set back from the riverfront LESSON Bike lane/cycle tracks to/from riverfront LESSON
Mixed-use building adjacent to riverfront LESSON
Street trees guide pedestrians and increase the quality of the public realm
PROPOSED FINAL FORM
CONCEPTUAL STRATEGY
CONSTRAINT
Allow vehicle access for loading docks
SOLUTION Remove a segment of Riverfront Avenue
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
At pedestrian nodes/gateway to river, strategically place features (plaza, water features, pavilions)
Woonerf style roadways to support pedestrian realm
SOLUTION
Create greenspaces in parking lots close to river
SOLUTION
“
Currently, there is a thin riverfront space in the Civic District with no urban connections
“
Extend the riverfront experience into the urban fabric
“
By creating more greenspaces, better buildings, removing vehicle roads, green streets, and people places
SOLUTION
SOLUTION Add residential buildings with commercial ground floor usage
SOLUTION
Boulevard re-design with bike lanes, green infrastructure, etc.
GREEN PEDESTRIAN BOULEVARD WATER FEATURE
QUIET GARDEN SPACE
BIKE LANES
“
How I got here...
Everything as green
Allow vehicle access for underground parkades
Create pedestrian-friendly intersections
MASTER PLAN
Current
CONSTRAINT
New building configuration and ground floor usage to positively support the public realm
Carved out pathways from building entrances
Final form
MUSIC PAVILION
GREAT LAWN SPACE
RESIDENTS
MIXED USE WOONERF MIXED USE
‘PEOPLE PLACES’
“
By incorporating public and intimate places for people and pedestrian-friendly streets
WINDING ROAD TO SLOW TRAFFIC
1
WOONERF
CAFE
PAVILION
2
3
GAZEBOS WITH SEATING
GREEN PLAZA
GARDENSPACE
RIVERFRONT PLAZA
“
Plaza integrated with Riverwalk will guide pedestrians to/from the riverfront
1 3
2
ELM TREES TO CREATE CANOPY
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE RIVER + CIVIC DISTRICT
“
River/urban edge integration at the detail level...
Everything is green
Insert pathways
Cut out green
Blend
GREEN BOULEVARD
GREEN STREETS
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Immersed in a pedestrian street complemented with seating, shade, and vegetation
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Blended paving pattern, bulbouts, and vegetation will guide pedestrians toward the river
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Inserting Green to East Downtown Calgary
Arezoo Khalili
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
The Morphology of Urban Repair Calgary East Downtown Inserting Green to East Downtown Calgary
East Downtown Calgary is located in central Calgary and is bordered by Bow river on the North and by CPR mainline tracks on the south, the Elbow River on the east and 14 St on the west. The evolution of building from 1883 (advent of CPR) until now shows a significant rise in the built area causing loss of green spaces. The East downtown Calgary is 89% impervious surface. The building with their impervious roofs constitutes 29% area of downtown. The streets 32%, sidewalks and plazas 16%, parking lots 12% which makes it only 11% area of green spaces. These impervious surfaces causes issues such as flood and stormwater runoff, heat island and drought, lifeless and colorless downtown and habitat fragmentation. By Implementing Green infrastructure strategy, the impervious surfaces in downtown will decrease and will benefit water, environment, air and community. The study areas are streets, sidewalks, parking lots, parks and open spaces and buildings. To develop the master plan of green infrastructure network in East downtown Calgary, four specific areas were studied: Four buildings: Harry Hays Building, YWCA, Bookers BBQ & Grill Fourteen surface parking lots Three designated parks (James Short Park, Sien Tok Park and Family of Man Park) The streets connecting these places. Due to the size and scope of the project. I took a phase approach to develop the master plan. Phase I: Streets and sidewalks (Transform existing streets to green streets) Phase II: Parking lots, parks (converting all parking lots to parks and enhancing existing parks) Phase III: Buildings (dividing the large blocks into walkable blocks and integrate them with linear parks. The master plan shows the interconnected parks, open spaces, green spaces and green roofs in downtown. East gateway is the focused study area to design the green infrastructure network more in detail. The large bioswale parks are designed in place of parking lots to mitigate flooding and urban runoffs. Green streets with Eco-boulevards infiltrate stormwater runoff from the streets. Buildings are mixed-use with green roofs in 4-5 stories are the core activity of the area.
Arezoo Khalili
Senior Landscape Architecture Studio EVDL777 | Winter 2020 | Instructor: Dr. Beverly Sandalack Master of Landscape Architecture | School of Architecture Planning and Landscape | University of Calgary
GOAL
ISSUE
Building Roofs: 29% STRATEGY 100m
Green Infrastructure Network (GIN) Green Infrastructure Network of Parks, Open Spaces and Green Streets
Lifeless & Colorless Downtown
MATERIAL
Decrease Impervious Surface
Heat Island Effect & Drought
WATER
Flood & Stormwater Runoff
COMMUNITY
Habitat Fragmentation
Parking Lots: 12% STUDY AREA 100m
BENEFIT / OUTCOME
ENVIRONMENT
Roads: 32% Sidewalks & Plazas: 16%
POTENTIAL SOLUTION
Infiltrate overland flow Mimic natural hydrology Mitigate flooding Slow and detain runoff
Streets
Narrower paved areas Pervious pavement Eco-Boulevards Curb-Openings Enhancing Urban forestry
Enhance urban biodiversity Increase habitat connectivity Increase urban tree canopy
Parking Lots
GIN of parks Pervious pavements
Decrease Heat Island Effect Optimize the use of land
Parks & Unidentified open spaces
Pervious pavements GIN parks
Enhance the vibrancy & life of the Buildings district Improve site aesthetics
100m
Green roofs Rezoning
Green infrastructure network is an interconnected network of natural areas and open spaces with the ability to absorb stormwater, providing ecological, environmental and socio-economic benefit to the community. The network consists of “green patches” connected through “green corridors”.
Impervious surface area in East Downtown Calgary: 89% Pervious surface area in East Downtown Calgary: 11%
Solar Radiation
Conduction
Conduction
Conduction
Canopy Layer Cooler Micro Climate
Warmer Micro Climate
89% Impervious Surface
Parking Lot
3 St SE
Macleod Trail
1 St SE
Parking Lot
Centre St SW
Heat Island Effect, 4 Ave Heat Island is another issue caused by having excessive impervious surfaces in downtown Calgary. Extreme heat can increase the risk of other types of disasters. Heat can exacerbate drought and will impact human health. Rising temperatures poses a threat to people, ecosystems and the economy.
Centre St NE
Riverfront Ave SW
Bo
Bridgeland-Riverside Neighbourhood
Riv
ont
Activity Core Residential
Ave S
Bo
buildings with Green Roofs
E
Phase I&II: Streets+ Parking lots + Parks
w R ive r
West Gateway
Enhance the access to more parts of the downtown
Centre St NE
1 St SW
Linear Parks
3 Ave SE
Bo
Eco-Parks
r
East Gateway
accessible from all sides 100M
100M
Phase I&II: Green Streets + GI Parks
1 St SE
Infrastructure Parks and
4 Ave SE
w R ive
The east gateway as a large green node, connects users from East village, Bridgeland Riverside, Chinatown and Stampede to the East Downtown
Community Park
Transform the existing parks to Green
connect them to the new park system
er
100M
erfr
2 Ave SE
w R iv
4 Ave SE
4 Ave SE w R iv
er
190 m
Bo
160 m 150 m
90 m
5 Ave SE 4S tS E
SE 5 Ave
150 m
90 m
5 Ave SE
100M
Community Park
7 Ave SE 7 Ave SE
Proposed East Downtown Green Infrastructure Network Master Plan Green Infrastructure Network Master Plan of interconnected parks, open spaces, green streets and green roofs
Activates the urban edges between CTrain and East Village
West Gateway Bo
w R iv
er
4 St SE
3 St SE
Macleod Trail SE
1 St SE
1 St SW
6 Ave SE
Centre St NE
Phase III: Buildings
East Gateway
100M 100M
Phase III: Green Roof Buildings
Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration
BridgelandRiverside Neighbourhood
4 st SE
7 Ave Sw Filtration
Runoff
Runoff
Runoff
Bioswale Park
Sidewalk
Urban Forestry
Climate Regulation
3 St Street
Future Mixed-Use
East Village
Vegetated Swale
5 Ave Sw
Evapotranspiration
Bioswale
er
Permeable Paving
SW
Biking Path
w R iv
tA ve
Urban Forestry
Bo
ron
Permeable Paving
erf
Chinatown
Sidewalk
Riv
Green Roof Filtration
Filtration
Filtration
Mission & Stampede
East Gateway is a strategic node for downtown, connected to Bridgeland Riverside neighbourhood from the north, East village from the east, Chinatown from the west, Mission from the south
Section A-A illustrates the transition of green infrastructure facilities from the mixed-use to the bioswale parks in the east gateway
Water flow direction Views
y
SW
Bo
Booker’s BBQ Grill Building
condo Condo
Bo
Riv 17 M
Ri
ve
3
r
Riv
Riv
erW
erf
ay
ding
alk
ron
tA ve
SW
2
Bo
ron
tA ve
2
1
condo
SW
ve 4A
e SE
4 Av
Calgary Drop-in & Rehab Centre
1
e SE 5 Av
E 4S tS
50 M
Issue
Strategy
Flood & Stormwater runoff Heat Island Effect & Drought Lifeless & Colorless Downtown Habitat Fragmentation
Study Area Streets & Sidewalks
Green Infrastructure Network
Solution
(Delay . Discharge . Storage)
Parking lots
1 Eco-Boulevard, Narrower paved area Vegetated swale, Rain garden, vegetated filter strip, Native & drought tolerant vegetation, Biofiltration swale, Curb 2 opening, Urban forestry Permeable paving 3 Large bioswale park, Permeable paving
Buildings
4
Green roofs, Rezoning
The map on the top shows the existing condition of the East gateway in downtown. High volume of water flows into the intersections from the bridge & Urban forestry is not continuous
Future Mixed Use 4
fen
1
e SE
se
4 Av
3
2 2
2
erf
De
4 Ave SE
4 Ave SE
5 Ave SE
Riv
1
3 St SE
3 St SE
YWCA
Ri
Calgary Drop-in & Rehab Centre
3
1
A
ve
r
SE
3
Parking Lot #2
w
Future cafe & 4 restaurant
erf
4 Ave SE
w
or floo
wR
tA ve
Existing Tree
Pa th
ron
1
Catchment Area
wa
erf
alk
ive r
Riv
wR
Parking Lot #1
nse f
thw
erw
Defe
condo
Bo
Condo
Existing parking lot
Pa
Unidentified Grass Cover
Riv
ive r
Access to the river
condo
for
flo
ron
tA ve
SW
od
ing
2
A
2
2 3
1
E
5 Ave S
50 M
East gateway is part of the green infrastructure network in the east downtown Calgary. It is designed to address the issues including the Heat Island Effect, stormwater runoff, colourless downtown, and habitat fragmentation