The Value of Investing in Canadian Downtowns - International ...

LIVABILITY
Is the downtown vibrant, liveable & connected?
Population
Between 1996 and 2006 the population of downtown
grew by just under 2% and the City of Winnipeg grew
by a similarly modest amount of just over 2%. The
most significant rise in population in downtown
Winnipeg was between 1986 and 1991 when the
population grew by one-fifth. This growth appears to
coincide with the establishment of Winnipeg’s Core
Area Initiative, which involved development of some
new social housing. Downtown Winnipeg still relies
heavily on its daytime population for vitality, as well as
visitors to the city’s arts, cultural and entertainment
facilities.
city, WPS stats from 2011 show a 26% decrease in
crime, downtown experienced a decrease of 44%.
However, downtown Winnipeg struggles with some
image problems in relation to crime, particularly along
parts of Portage Avenue. Increasing efforts by the
Winnipeg BIZ and the Centre Venture will likely help
address these issues. Moreover, as more people
come back and revisit the downtown they will likely
get to experience and enjoy all the positive changes
that have occurred and be able to revaluate past
views.
Land Uses
Diversity
Downtown Winnipeg has a diverse population. In
2006, the downtown had a higher proportion of
people that identify as aboriginal (16%) compared to
citywide (10%). Additionally a third of the population
identify as a visible minority, 7% of the population
identifies as Filipino, 10% identifies as Black, and 7%
identifies as Chinese. Downtown Winnipeg also has a
younger population profile with a third of the
population (34%) aged between 20-34 compared to
under a quarter City wide (21%). Additionally over half
the population (55%) is single, compared to 35%
citywide.
Housing
Housing in downtown Winnipeg is comprised almost
entirely of apartments (99%) compared to 31% city
wide. Downtown Winnipeg also has smaller
household sizes than the rest of the City, 1.6
compared to 2.4, which indicates that attracting
families to downtown remains a challenge.
Safety
Winnipeg Police Service crime statistics since 2001
have shown a downward trend in crimes against
people and property in downtown. Less than 10% of
assaults in Winnipeg occur downtown. Across the
Commercial 37%
Industrial 8%
Institutional 16%
Residential 8%
Open Space 4%
Transportation 13%
Vacant 14%
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