Where many cities have been plagued with issues of increased vacancy and decreased vibrancy in their downtowns in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, similar hardships in Calgary have been apparent for much longer. A downtown monoculture which has historically relied singularly on the energy sector saw decline starting in 2015, but a silver lining of tough times is that Calgary has had a head-start on reimagining the downtown – evidenced through an innovative and comprehensive approach combining policy, implementation funding and a dedicated planning team. Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan policy, established in 2021, represents a new vision for the downtown and a roadmap to reinvention. The Plan is supported by a $325 million investment focused on lowering office vacancy; improving downtown vibrancy through capital projects, programming and activations; and supporting the development of thriving neighborhoods that attract residents, visitors, and talent for downtown businesses. These initiatives are facilitated by a Downtown Strategy business unit of planners and project managers, proactively collaborating with City Council, as well as the real-estate and development sector and other external partners to deliver on the Plan’s vision – a vibrant and resilient city center already in the making.
