#zero-parking

Development is a verb

Community-minded developers charting new territory in our urban built form is the topic of this show. From fresh ideas like zero-parking and paths based on desire lines, and de-construction turned public engagement via an installation, to an investment in re-purposing a storage facility into a gallery, it’s clear that development stretches beyond the act of building on a lot. 

Renata Li of Westbank shares how development as city-building embraces placemaking not just for those who will be residing or working in the new buildings, but creates space for the general public to experience as well. BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group is behind the new design as well as local architects Dialog. Curator Trevor Boddy describes the architecture exhibition and salon series Gesamtkunstwerk. Rooted in the concept of Vancouverism, hear how Gwerk takes design as public engagement seriously. 

Artists Sean Mankowske, Caitlind rc Brown, and John Frosst take us behind Wreck City, an art installation that repurposed soon-to-be-demolished homes. Rising to the fore as a result was the opportunity for dialogue around the complexity of urban growth complete with heady challenges like social inclusion, heritage, sustainability and affordability, and so many difficult to answer questions. Other curators mentioned in the interview are: Matthew Mark Bourree, Jennifer Crighton, Brandon Dalmer, Andrew Frosst, and Ryan McClure Scott. Also mentioned: Bucci Developments, Ltd. and the precedent projects The Leona Drive Project in Ontario and The House Project in Calgary.

And finally, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation master plan has a pedestrian promenade diagonally slicing through the center of the East Village. Michael Brown shares what this move means for the public ream. He also shares what has set the stage where a developer is willing to explore how a zero-parking tower might pencil out.