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

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The foundation of the five principles was the survey distributed to the Institute’s Board and network of practitioners to answer the question – WHAT MAKES A DOWNTOWN GREAT? Based on the feedback received, the team developed the preliminary principles for analysis. The following reflects the outcome of this enquiry: Architecture and Design: landmark projects, heritage protection, development at the human scale Connectivity: appropriate forms of public transit, walking, cycling, marine, design for all ages Culture: vibe, values, virtuosity Innovation: education and research, partnerships and networks, venture capital, universities and colleges, educated and skilled labour force. Employment: a variety of and medium sized enterprises, creative industries, diverse economic base Public Realm: quality streets and streetscape, plazas and squares, parks and other gathering places, destinations, private space that enhances the public realm (e.g. sidewalk cafes) Sustainability: sustainable development, good air and water quality, community energy projects Diversity: open fluid society that facilitates participation and opportunities for new immigrants Venture capital: availability of venture capital and management of research market …..and “it’s all these things at all times of all fronts” supporting each other through infrastructure investments, guided by a clear vision and leadership willing to take risks. Following this, a literature review was conducted and Michael A. Burayidi’s (2001) text, Downtowns: Revitalizing the Centers of Small Urban Communities, served as the primary foundation for the research. From this text, passages from Kent Roberston of Saint Cloud State University were used to help further articulate and define the principles. Finally, the information gathered from the 10 downtown case studies was synthesized in accordance with the principles and specific examples were discovered which further reinforced the principles we established from the outset. The five principles are as follows: VISIBILITY VISIONARY PROSPERITY LIVEABILITY STRATEGY Does the downtown have an integral and central role in the life of the wider city? Does the downtown benefit from a multiplicity of strong, bold leaders who collaborate to achieve and sustain a shared vision? Does the downtown have a robust and innovative economy? Is the downtown vibrant, liveable and connected? Is the city investing strategically in its future? The next step was to develop methods of assessment to determine if the downtown case studies are evolving in a way consistent with the five principles. In other words, are these downtowns evolving into great downtowns? To this 204
end, the team utilized a range of qualitative and quantitative measures and indicators. In collecting qualitative data, the CUI undertook surveys and interviews to learn about the history of each of the downtowns, gain perspectives and insights concerning the drivers of growth and change, as well as to learn about each city’s leaders and how they have approached and prioritized downtown development. The team also analyzed quantitative data and developed indicators to baseline the downtown performance relative to the wider city. The goal is to ensure that quantitative data is consistently available across Canada for each of the 10 downtown case studies. Indicators and Benchmarking The team then analyzed quantitative data and developed indicators to baseline the downtown performance relative to the wider city. The goal is to ensure that quantitative data is consistently available across Canada for each of the 10 downtown case studies. VISIBILITY Does the downtown have an integral and central role in the life of the wider city? A downtown can have a complex relationship within a large, sprawling city. In the context of ongoing expansion, a downtown can suffer declining interest from the public and private sector, as well as the general community. Strong public and political support is necessary if downtowns are to remain prominent, strong in the hearts and minds of citizens, and able to grow seamlessly with the city as a whole. To measure how well a downtown is performing against this principle the CUI team has been undertaking interviews to learn about the history and understand the make-up of each downtown, as well as surveying stakeholders to gain their perceptions on the downtown -- its role, function and vitality. Quantitative and GIS data is also being assembled on the contribution that the downtown makes to the entire city and how the relationship between the downtown and the city as a whole is changing over time. Indicators to measure performance against principle: Downtown proportion of land area City Typology Downtown proportion of population Downtown proportion of office, housing, retail and open space Downtown proportion of jobs Downtown proportion of tax revenue Downtown proportion of assessment value VISIONARY Does the downtown benefit from a multiplicity of strong, bold leaders who collaborate to achieve and sustain a shared vision? Strong leaders, a bold vision and a high degree of collaboration are critical ingredients for a downtown to achieve its potential. A clearly articulated vision can unite a city’s public and private stakeholders, align their interests and lead to more strategic growth and investment. To measure the strength of the vision in each downtown, the team analyzed the perceived effectiveness of downtown plans and policies, as well as attitudes towards collaboration and the ways that the public and private sector are working together to achieve the shared vision for the downtown. Indicators to measure performance against principle: Years that a plan specific to the downtown has been in effect. PROSPERITY Does the downtown have a robust and innovative economy? A cornerstone of a strong downtown is a prosperous and diverse economy. A strong economy generates jobs and leads to economic opportunity. A strong downtown with vibrant businesses and growth also provides a city with a strong tax base and a major source of revenue. To measure the strength of a downtown’s economy, the team tracked assessment value for downtown and city-wide revenue and analyzed how this has changed over time. Data 205
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project would
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CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .........
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Additionally this project aims to b
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with the selected downtown study ar
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KEY FINDINGS The project team devel
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Downtowns are iconic and powerful s
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Victoria have very sensitive downto
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PROSPERITY Does the downtown have a
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These are very promising signs, yet
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Downtowns are making a major contri
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The densest downtown is Vancouver a
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Downtowns are important places for
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Winnipeg Fredericton Edmonton Halif
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Downtown Toronto and downtown Vanco
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Municipal Investments (mapped inves
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DOWNTOWN CASE STUDIES 32
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Downtown Halifax Timeline 1749 - 20
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VISIBILITY Does the downtown have a
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VISIONARY Does the downtown have st
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LIVEABILITY Is the downtown vibrant
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sites for redevelopment that are cu
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Summary of Municipal Investments Pr
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Key Patterns of Investment: 1. Cent
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Future Investments The proposed Con
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Downtown Fredericton Timeline 1749
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PROSPERITY: Is the downtown’s eco
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Municipal Tax Base Since 1995, the
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Public Realm Downtown Fredericton h
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60 Municipal Investments in Downtow
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2. Enhancing the waterfront Committ
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Downtown Ottawa Timeline 1792 - 201
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charges have recently been reinstat
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Many of the federally occupied buil
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Safety Downtown Ottawa is seen as a
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transit service downtown and across
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Summary of Public Investments Publi
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Key Patterns of Investment: Convent
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Downtown Toronto Timeline 1793 - 20
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Context Map: Key Assets and Feature
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The downtown study area differs sli
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http://www.architravel.com/architra
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Office Development Downtown Toronto
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Municipal Tax Base The downtown mak
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Safety Crime indicators for the Cit
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STRATEGY Is the City Strategically
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Public Investments in Downtown Toro
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5. Strengthening Communities Invest
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Downtown London Timeline 1840 - 201
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VISIBILITY Does the Downtown have a
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LIVABILITY Is the downtown vibrant,
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picnic tables, cafe tables with umb
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Summary of Capital Projects: 1998-2
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Key Patterns of Investment: The Cit
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WINNIPEG Growing in strength and co
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VISIONARY Does the downtown have st
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126 Major Public Investments in Dow
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Ship Street, Sky, and The Strand. T
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Downtown Saskatoon Timeline 1903 -
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Leadership and Collaboration The Ci
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Office Development Private office s
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LIVEABILITY Is the downtown vibrant
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Key Patterns of Investment: 1. Conn
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EDMONTON a downtown filled with mom
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UNITY Does the downtown have strong
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Retail Development It has been obse
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Page 156 and 157: STRATEGY Is the City Strategically
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Page 160 and 161: downtown zoning bylaws ensure that
Page 162 and 163: Downtown Vancouver Timeline 1859 -
Page 164 and 165: VISIBILITY Does the downtown have a
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Page 168 and 169: The downtown also generates a fifth
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Page 174 and 175: 172 Downtown Vancouver Capital Proj
Page 176 and 177: 2. Building complete communities In
Page 178 and 179: Context Map: Key Assets and Feature
Page 180 and 181: VISIBILITY Does the downtown have a
Page 182 and 183: The City has also taken strong lead
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Page 186 and 187: Safety Downtown Victoria has faced
Page 188 and 189: STRATEGY Is the City Strategically
Page 190 and 191: Pattern of Investment: Investing in
Page 192 and 193: QUICK WINS FOR CANADIAN DOWNTOWNS O
Page 194 and 195: Connecting the Downtown with Natura
Page 196 and 197: comprehensive planning processes to
Page 198 and 199: uilding and reconnect it with surro
Page 200 and 201: 198 APPENDICES
Page 202 and 203: Yet, where the municipality had not
Page 204 and 205: Data Gaps From the outset of this p
Page 208 and 209: was also collected that examines pr
Page 210 and 211: APPENDIX 2 - PHOTO CREDITS Front Co
Page 212 and 213: Context Map The Harbour: http://www
Page 214 and 215: Toronto 212 Confederation Square: h
Page 216 and 217: 214 Rebuilt Covent Garden Market: h
Page 218 and 219: Parking lots: The Alberta Legislatu
Page 220 and 221: Victoria Cover Page Red Second post
Page 222 and 223: APPENDIX 3 - REFERENCE LIST City of
Page 224 and 225: City of Edmonton. (2010). Capital C
Page 226 and 227: City of Vancouver. (2007). Downtown
Page 228 and 229: Condos Victoria BC. (2011). The Atr
Page 230 and 231: Harris Consulting (2007). City of V
Page 232: The Star Phoenix Website. (2011). S
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