Cityscape must reflect values of citizens
By Ryan Walker and Robert Patrick, Special to The StarPhoenixFebruary 20, 2009
Following is the viewpoint of the writers, both University of Saskatchewan professors of regional and urban planning.
A lot has changed since Saskatoon's last community visioning initiative, Plan Saskatoon, more than 10 years ago. Planning is concerned with future-seeking. This is quite different from remaining a spectator to the present torque of development.
If you understand the whole of the city as an extension of your private home, it is not hard to understand the importance of participatory planning for the future. Like a private home should be a place of quality, self-expression and the reproduction of personal values, so too, should your city.
For us, concepts like becoming an "urban playground" lack depth and can become a diversion from building more durable urban quality. Instead, we advocate for human relationship-building with the natural and built environments, and the democratic process of community visioning and planning for the future.
Environment and society
We see a deepening relationship between urban residents and the environment in initiatives like RoadMap 2020, the Rivergreen Ecovillage and the tremendous force of our youth who organized the We Are Many urban environment festival in Saskatoon last summer. Decisions regarding urban growth and development should be made accordingly.
Naturalizing the cityscape with initiatives such as green roofs, xeriscaping and new storm water management processes are some ideas. So is enhancing the natural vegetation along the urban river corridor. This calls into question the new hard-edged, concrete shoreline of River Landing and whether a concept from the 1980s matches our current thinking about greening the city.
Even bigger decisions need to be made respecting our pattern of growth. Establishing an urban growth boundary would help to limit our conversion of open "greenfield" into low density suburbia.
Higher urban density integrated with multiple and varied land uses raises accessibility to activity sites such as work, recreation and shopping, while reducing automobile dependency. Subdivisions built with energy efficient buildings, district energy systems and conservation of natural site features may appeal to the evolving values of many in Saskatoon.
Short walks to most amenities (banks, stores, restaurants) and covered, secure transit stops will enhance urban form and function and allow us more choices for daily living that fit better with our environmental sensibilities. It should cost us less to maintain and upgrade infrastructure if we live in a more compact urban form.
As the city grows, we should be asking how we see ourselves getting around this urban place. For decades we've been making it more difficult to move about our city in anything but the private automobile. Limiting our daily transportation options has inevitably impacted air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and physical activity levels.
We do need cars for their convenience, but what about other options for some of our regular mobility patterns? Decades ago in Portland, Ore., light rail, bus routes and bike lanes took priority over bitumen for cars. If we plan for moving people instead of cars, the physical environment of our city will change.
Citizens can infuse their community values into their urban development. Last year, Vancouver adopted the "EcoDensity Charter." It places environmental sustainability at the centre of all city planning decisions that relate to private and public developments. The Ontario government, through its Places to Grow Act 2005, has directed municipalities to focus development patterns such that 40 per cent of new housing is built within the already built-up perimeter, thus reducing low-density urban sprawl.
Heritage and depth of identity
Our city's built heritage is central to our history. How important is it to Saskatonians that they are able to walk down the street and recount the memories of several generations of people, architecture, and streetscape? Saskatoon has displayed ambivalenc e toward its built heritage, with both successes (like conversion of the Fairbanks-Morse warehouse and King George Hotel) and failures (like the demolished Barry Hotel and prospective loss of St. Mary School).
The City of Kingston has prioritized its relationship with built heritage. One recent example is the Queen's University School of Business. It keeps historic elements of an 1892 schoolhouse and blends them into a contemporary building design consistent with the local value of integrating new buildings with the historic character of the city.
Imagine if we did something like this with St. Mary School -- perhaps as housing, office or live-work space -- as a centre to the planned new residential development around it.
Heritage value also comes from commemorating stories and landscapes less visible in the present built form. Native Studies students recently rekindled the stories of the Round Prairie Métis south of the Dakota Whitecap First Nation who, by the end of the 1930s, had permanently settled in the Holiday Park area of Saskatoon and on the east side of the river, including the site of today's Aden Bowman Collegiate.
Preserving our public history through built form and commemoration is as much a part of the democratic process of future-seeking as determining the pattern of new development.
Quality urban design
Good urban design, in its esthetic sense, can create attractive and interactive public spaces, bring together a streetscape and express the diversity of our civic identity (like the tree grates at River Landing designed with stories from Sioux, Cree and Dakota Elders).
Given that urban design is concerned with continuity between a variety of privately owned lands and structures, a collective vision of the essential qualities of a given area of the city can be powerful. Citizens and businesses can articulate a set of basic urban design guidelines, with assistance from architects and planners, for sectors of downtown, commercial strips, and residential areas. City officials and developers would then have a non-regulatory public document to refer to when working on site plans and design concepts.
With an amendment to the Planning and Development Act 2007, design controls at the site planning level could be a useful tool for our civic officials to propose fine-tuning to safeguard basic community standards for urban design. This could help build a public appetite for infill developments, where citizens now worry that we leave too much of the quality of infill developments open to chance.
A community vision
Is it time to re-engage in a community visioning exercise and consider how we aspire to live in our city, downtown and through to the urban edges? It is logical that as our community values and aspirations change, so do our expectations for the built form of our city.
We should be inspired but not led by examples from other places. Through a process called imagineCalgary: imagination into action, Calgary engaged over 18,000 citizens and many professionals and civic leaders to create a 100-year vision and long-range plan for urban growth and development.
As our contribution to this public debate, the Regional and Urban Planning Program at the University of Saskatchewan will host an all-candidates forum in Fall 2009 where the public can ask city council candidates for their views on issues related to planning and design.
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Saskatoon's urban evolution
Reader responses touch on several common themes
The StarPhoenix February 20, 2009
EDITOR'S NOTE: When we asked our readers to share their personal vision for our city as a followup to our recent four-part series by Calgary architect Richard White on Saskatoon's urban evolution, we were confident they would respond. They did, and we thank them. A broad cross-section of those responses appears below, including the accompanying viewpoint from two U of S professors.
Streetscape character threatened
Much recent development in downtown Saskatoon has been positive, notably the new Farmer's Market, the reuse of boom-time warehouses and the increase in housing in the core. However, our downtown is at a crossroads and risks losing much of its identity as developmental pressures increase, fuelled by the South Downtown redevelopment.
Development interest is already moving west and north from the riverbank, resulting in an empty lot where the Barry Hotel once stood at the entrance to Riversdale, and a proposed office block at the corner of 20th Street and Second Avenue. This pressure will continue to increase and expand.
The challenge will be to preserve our historic streetscapes, while accommodating some appropriate new development. Unfortunately, Saskatoon prefers to look at individual buildings rather than streetscapes, despite the fact that it is the street as a whole that gives us that sense of place that says we are in Saskatoon and nowhere else.
More development is also proposed for Spadina Crescent, driven by the financial needs of our historic riverbank churches. While we sympathize with their situation, it is important that development is sensitive to the riverbank location and to the church buildings themselves.
If downtown Saskatoon is to maintain any of its unique identity, then the city must recognize the value of its historic core and preserve its historic streetscapes by encouraging new development to take place in less sensitive locations and ensure that any infill is sympathetic to its surroundings.
Peggy Sarjeant
Maintain natural beauty
Having moved to Saskatoon a year ago, my favourite part is the natural beauty of the river valley and the bike paths through it. I hope the city maintains the valley in its naturally beautiful state and its recreational uses for walking, skiing, biking, etc.
I do not use the paved park by the Persephone, for example, and am concerned about the concrete river development near the Farmer's Market.
I also believe in a vibrant downtown with high density living, accessible grocery shopping and good public transportation. I love living in Saskatoon and hope we can make public green spaces a priority.
Patty Friesen
The more art the better
I have lived in Saskatoon for more than 25 years and offer a few random thoughts on Saskatoon's development so far:
I applaud the commitment to green spaces within a reasonable walking distance of every home, and the planting of trees in urban spaces. Sadly, our own engineering and electrical departments have a dismal record of tree abuse (i.e. grinder marks on root flares for the sake of levelling sidewalks, or excavators ripping roots).
River Landing seems to be a very good people place and perhaps this sort of thing can be repeated here and there, presumably on a smaller scale. Keeping the majority of river frontage as public property is a victory for our city.
I am not a big box fan. The Wal-Marts of the world are sucking the life out of Mom and Pop stores. I favour density over sprawl, but within reason.
I disdain architectural controls, where every house in a neighbourhood can come in any colour you want, as long as it's beige. I am completely lost as to the wisdom of legislating ghettos, even upper-middle-class ghettos.
The more public art the better. I am not a fan of rusty amorphous blobs of steel, but that doesn't mean it's not art. My two favourite pieces are the fabulous stainless steel abstract at the bottom of the University Bridge, and the double-headed muskox on 20th Street West.
This city has a long way to go toward being a mass-transit, biking and walking kind of place, but I think that would be an excellent focus for us before we get much bigger.
Tony K. Toews
Need to develop green image
Saskatoon has been very well developed so far, but is lacking in specific areas. To create a positive urban image, Saskatoon must eliminate all surface parking lots within the downtown. New architectural standards and guidelines should be established to better reflect the growing city.
Building height restrictions should be raised to 40 storeys. Buildings should be either ultra-modern/post-modern or traditional, or a blend between the two. Anything that leads itself to generic and unstimulating should be exempt from the allowances (stucco, typical box and window).
The city's art placement program has created a diverse and cultural feeling throughout the downtown. I agree that more colourful art would be nice but overall it is fantastic!
My vision of Saskatoon's downtown is to create an urban oasis that is in balance with nature but has a very strong cosmopolitan atmosphere. By doubling the amount of trees and placing boulevards down Third Avenue, First Avenue and Idylwyld (bridge to the new 25th street extension), the city will secure a green image. By removing any above-ground power/telephone lines the city will help create a more urban feel and again secure its position as a green urban oasis.
Kelly Caplette
Public transit most important
As a relative blow-in to Saskatoon -- I moved here from Ireland one year ago -- this is how I see the city:
I think the coolest part of downtown is the art that emblazons otherwise mundane spaces -- from the painted electrical relay boxes full of colour and interest on the corner of every block, to the murals that depict various superheroes/characters on the record shop, to the sign shop in Riversdale with the massive Native design, and the 3-D graffiti on First Avenue.
One slight criticism I have is that some of the newer buildings are very box-like and esthetically unappealing -- built cheaply because of economics at the time. As regards the river walk, I believe the city must be careful to preserve the park-like feel and not cover the riverbank in concrete.
Overall Saskatoon is a clean friendly city; very safe compared to European cities, believe it or not.
Into the future, I would like to see the city spend money making the city a place that people enjoy working and spending time. Investing in a top-class public transport system would be the best infrastructure money Saskatoon ever spent, no matter how much people love their cars. If the planning/construction/spending starts now, the benefits would be incalculable, rather than building Circle Drive 1, Circle Drive 2, Circle Drive 3.
David Nolan
Non-vehicular links critical
I compliment The StarPhoenix on printing a series of articles on urban design and architecture in the Saskatoon context. Richard White correctly points out the importance of the three D's (density, diversity and design quality) in the creation of vibrant urban playgrounds.
However, it is also important that there are good quality linkages to allow people within walking or biking distance to access downtown and related attractions.
I hope that Saskatoon planners will embrace the design opportunities White has identified to create a welcoming and interesting entry image for the downtown. As our community contemplates re-development of the city yards and the building of new connections between Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street and College Drive, I sincerely hope that there will also be consideration given to more than just cars.
We need effective linkages that use the rail rights-of-way and park spaces to make high quality bicycle and pedestrian connections from core communities to the Meewasin and Trans-Canada Trails.
These non-vehicular links are also extremely important for SIAST and the university. They will work best if there are minimum street conflicts. This kind of planning consideration is a critical part of making Saskatoon an effective urban playground community, as well as a city that truly embraces sustainability.
Charles Olfert
Saskatchewan/Manitoba Regional Director
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
Higher definitely not better
The article about Jane Jacobs' urban village struck a chord with me. Jacobs was internationally recognized as a wise thinker about building cities that are good to live in and she was not a fan of highrises.
It seems Mayor Don Atchison and Co. feel that "higher is better." In fact, the builders of the planned highrise beside the present police station declared it would be the tallest building in Saskatchewn, as if that is something to be proud of.
I do not want our downtown streets to become sunless canyons. There should be a limit on the height of any new construction. As far as the "wonderful" building planned for the Gathercole site, I can't help but feel that it will turn out to be a blight on our beautiful riverbank, becoming nothing but a private concrete concourse for the wealthy few who can afford the luxury condos.
I love the idea of converting downtown warehouses into condos, because they are using existing buildings which have character, instead of tearing down and building homogeneous concrete towers. The reuse of these buildings as living spaces should help to keep our downtown alive and thriving at all hours.
We definitely need to rethink the direction we are taking with respect to new development.
Paula Drury
Lack of good planning evident
My feeling is that there has been a lack of good planning in Saskatoon.
My likes: University campus (aside from Preston Crossing) and the riverbank (both wild and cultivated). My favourite neighbourhoods are Nutana, not encroached on by condo blocks, and City Park.
Dislikes: Soul-less highrises, retail malls and a transit schedule that is science fiction.
What is missing: Bicycle paths from all points of the city to the downtown; decent transit service; green space; a downtown grocery store.
Suggestions: Renovate vintage brick buildings and develop low-rise row-housing; include courtyards and small parks; effective public transit (a rapid transit system was needed at least a decade ago); improve River Landing (think The Forks, Winnipeg; Granville Island, Vancouver); public art is wonderful but selection should be more egalitarian.
Key developmental focus: Downtown housing; one or two grocery stores; banish the Toys 'R Us/Galaxy Cinemas/Preston-Crossing concept. Acres of asphalt to park on is ridiculous.
My vision: People living and walking around downtown; small outdoor plazas fronted by galleries and cafés; one-of-a-kind shops along south downtown and interspersed with high-density dwellings such as housing along Phoebe Street and Soho Square in Toronto (the amazingly spacious units are narrow, each having a front-door and garden space, not a lobby and elevator); bicycle paths separated from vehicles; preservation of natural waterways like the sloughs around 51st Street; renovate vintage brick buildings (the distillery district in Toronto has capitalized on this concept and revitalized Corktown into a visitor's destination where cafés, live theatre, artist's workshops and galleries abound.
Susan Marles
Downtown vs. big box shopping
I think Saskatoon is on the right track with downtown development, but the city still has a little bit of a multiple personality when it comes to development.
Saskatoon does not yet have the size to have suburban big-box developments and a healthy downtown that can sustain 10,000 or more people. The main reason is that there is only so much retail space that the city can support, and suburbia is cheaper.
The city needs to make the decision on what it wants Saskatoon to be: a city with a lively and sustainable downtown like in Halifax, Montreal or Vancouver, or one with sprawling retail in suburbia and a decaying downtown like many large U.S. cities (Atlanta, Detroit, and many Midwest cities). I don't think we can have both. I would much rather be like Halifax.
Shane Lowenberger
Water park boring
We were really excited when we heard there was going to be a water park at River Landing. After spending every summer in Kelowna, where there is an amazing water park by the lake, we envisioned one like it.
When we took the grandchildren to the one by the river, they took one look and said, "This is boring, let's go home!" Seems the only ones that enjoy it is the under-two age group and the teens chasing around on bikes giving older kids and adults a fright.
Why could we not have water slides, paddling pools, climbing apparatus, etc., to keep the kids entertained for hours, instead of what we now have? Buried canoes that look like coffins! Also more bathroom facilities along our beautiful water walkway would be appreciated.
We have a wonderful place for a real children's water park; let's have something to show for it.
Verna Shoemaker
Ordinary people not heard
I think that Saskatoon is beautiful because of its riverbank and architectural beauties such as the Bessborough. However, opportunities have been missed and much of how it has been developed has been from a basis of money and egos, rather than as an expression of the richness and desires of our people and culture.
My favourite spaces are those that express the nature of our community -- riverbank trails, festivals, cultural spaces, buildings created from local materials.
I am saddened by destruction of heritage and the erection of architecturally numb buildings; and by public consultations strategically positioned to support decisions already made.
We seem to be missing authentic interest in and appreciation for what the creative class and other ordinary people have to contribute. Good leadership is essential -- collaborative visioning, lots of creativity and open minds.
My vision for Saskatoon is that we are well environmentally, spiritually and mentally. That we do not measure abundance in dollar terms but rather by the health of our worldly environment, by our sense of safety and community, by the way we care for our children, and by the opportunities for all to participate in whatever form of recreation, entertainment or career is natural and healthy for us.
Patti Gera
Build world class teepee
Saskatoon needs a tourist attraction. Think of the CN Tower, Eiffel Tower or the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas. A giant, shiny teepee is what is needed for south downtown Saskatoon.
Our city is rich in aboriginal history; we would attract more Native interest and tourism. There has been time and money spent on planning a hotel complex for that area already, but it is not too late to change.
The lower level of the teepee would encompass an arena the size of Credit Union Centre, for sports and trade shows. The skirt of the teepee around the arena would contain, condos, shops, a theatre, gallery or two and parking. It could be built close to the river to involve it, too.
In the second section above the arena, there would be a hotel and conference centre with perhaps an area to view the arena below. Above the hotel, a restaurant would be nice and above it a tourist centre, then a lookout. The poles of the teepee would be perfect for elevators.
Brent Northey
Downtown grocer crucial
I've recently moved to the Second Avenue Lofts. It's great being downtown. The only thing missing is a grocery store. The city needs to do something about this if it wants to attract more people downtown.
Also, please get rid of the huge StarPhoenix ad painted on the building on Second Avenue and 23rd street. It's an eyesore and I have to look at it every time I look out my window.
Clarence Krause
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