A proposal to pedestrianize 17th Avenue Southwest in Calgary has been deemed “completely feasible” by a former city planner. Christopher Chiasson, a pedestrian advocate, organized a petition to close the area to vehicular traffic during select weekends in the summer, aiming to increase foot traffic, support local businesses, and create safer public spaces for events. The initiative also seeks to reduce traffic noise and pollution in the area. Chiasson’s petition had gathered 288 signatures as of a certain date and time. He believes that temporary closures between certain streets on Friday evenings and weekends would be a good place to start, allowing for continued access to the street during daily commutes.
The pedestrianization of 17th Avenue Southwest could encourage alternative modes of transportation in Calgary, such as public transit and biking. Similar initiatives have been undertaken in Montreal, where over nine kilometers of streets have been pedestrianized this summer. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante believes that pedestrian streets bring many benefits and allow people to enjoy the city differently during the summer. Chiasson argues that by designing streets to be more pedestrian-friendly, new people can be attracted to the area, leading to increased usage beyond just vehicular traffic.
Despite Chiasson’s proposal receiving support from some, the 17th Ave BIA expressed opposition to the idea. The BIA believes that shutting down roads would harm local businesses and argues that funds should be spent on improving pedestrian appeal and usability in the area instead. However, Chiasson hopes to work with the BIA and the City of Calgary to find a solution that benefits both businesses and the community. Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott views the petition as reasonable and suggests exploring potential solutions that benefit all stakeholders. However, plans to improve sidewalks and transit infrastructure in the area may delay the pedestrianization project by at least another year.
City officials in Calgary have not received any specific requests to close 17th Avenue Southwest to cars, but consulting city planner Brent Toderian believes that Chiasson’s proposal is modest and feasible. Toderian advocates for learning from other cities to ensure the success of such a project. He refutes the idea that pedestrianization will be harmful to businesses, citing studies that show pedestrian-friendly spaces strengthen neighborhoods if conditions like walking populations and established destinations are met. Toderian also challenges the notion that Calgary is too car-centric for pedestrian-friendly initiatives, emphasizing the potential benefits for businesses and the community.
Toderian stresses the importance of filling pedestrianized spaces with activities, energy, and amenities to attract people and create vibrant public spaces. He believes that Calgary’s focus on cars has limited its social, civic, and economic opportunities, and that the city has missed out on potential benefits by being car-centric. While there may be challenges and obstacles, Toderian encourages exploring pedestrian-friendly initiatives that can benefit businesses and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. Ultimately, he believes that pedestrianization projects, like the one proposed for 17th Avenue Southwest, have the potential to transform urban spaces and create more vibrant, diverse, and accessible communities.
