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

small parks on to parking lots, are now worldwide and were
successfully undertaken in downtown Victoria.
On larger sites there are also opportunities to increase their value
in the shorter term until the market conditions are in place for a
large scale redevelopment, such as energy generation or urban
farming. Copenhagen is a good example of the former,
developing waste incineration plants in the city to solve the
problem of the lack of space for waste whilst generating more
energy for the city, and putting inner city spaces to good use. The
BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group Waste-to-Energy Plant furthers this
effective use of underutilized space by aiming to create this
95,000 square meter development, also Denmark’s largest
environmental initiative, along with creating a 31,000 square meter
ski slope on the roof, made up largely of recycled material. This
ensures effective pedestrian connection in readdressing the
relationship between waste management and the public.
Barcelona is a further example, requiring solar energy sources on
new builds, and with its creation of Europe’s largest sculptural
solar panel (10,500m 2 surface area) in the Forum Esplanade’s
promenade. Additionally out of adversity, the world’s largest
urban farm (Hantz Farms) is being developed in Detroit by
turning abandoned properties into agricultural fields. Many large
and underutilized sites could lend themselves to this type of use.
Maximizing Use of Downtown Facilities
A mix of uses increases downtown vitality. Yet this concentration
of activity can be even further strengthened by encouraging
downtown facilities to have multiple uses at all times of the day
and night. Some examples of this were ‘The Atrium’ in Victoria.
This office development includes a large atrium that hosts
performances and has late night restaurants around its edges
bringing people to the building well beyond 9-5. Similarly, some
Toronto dance troupes have been finding rehearsal space in the
the lobbies of large buildings. Another interesting arrangement is
between Ryerson University and AMC Theatre, where the movie
theatres are used for both university lectures and to screen films.
These types of opportunities and partnerships could be more
commonly considered to make better use of infrastructure, as well
as add colour, interest and activity to the core.
PARK(ing) Day in Munich, Germany
Urban Farms in Chicago, Illinois (USA)
Forum Esplanade promenade, Barcelona, Spain
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