Foothills + McMahon – B&A | Planning, Design, Engagement

Foothills + McMahonSteve Morris2023-03-23T20:20:35+00:00

Foothills + McMahon

Location	Calgary, AB
Type	Concept Plan
Client	City of Calgary

B&A led a team of industry experts to create a visionary Concept Plan for the Foothills + McMahon lands.

The 100-acre site owned by the City of Calgary and the University of Calgary is a highly visible, well-used amenity for users throughout Calgary and the region. With an up-and-coming investment in a new fieldhouse within the site, the landowners wished to create a single, comprehensive plan for the area that is reflective of the needs of its many stakeholders and progressive best practices nationally and internationally. To achieve this, B&A assembled a professional consultant team matched to the task, including our award-winning urban designers, planners, and engagement experts, along with Subject Matter Experts in recreation planning, transportation, stadium architecture, landscape architecture, market analysis, transportation, and civil engineers.

In addition, B&A designed and led a communications and engagement strategy to effectively engage the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the creation of a project website, the use of online technology, a series of inclusive online meetings, and video postings, B&A delivered an innovative transparent City-wide engagement. The engagement strategy included a three-phased public process with a virtual design charrette and online surveys.

The Concept Plan contemplated a mix of recreational uses, entertainment venues, housing, accommodations, public space, and post-secondary educational facilities, and leverages transit proximity to make this a unique city-building opportunity for Calgary.

The Plan was unanimously approved by Committee and Council in September 2021. B&A has been awarded an additional contract to coordinate and Social Return on Investment Analysis to further support the redevelopment planning effort.

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Images courtesy of Designcorp Ltd.

B&A

3d

We are excited to sponsor and attend the 2023 @_PIBC Conference at the beautiful Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia. We look forward to a week filled with informative sessions and insightful conversations. #PIBC2023

We are excited to sponsor and attend the 2023 @_PIBC Conference at the beautiful Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia. We look forward to a week filled with informative sessions and insightful ...conversations. #PIBC2023

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B&A

3d

We are excited to be sponsoring and attending the 2023 PIBC Conference at the beautiful Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia. We look forward to a week filled with informative sessions and insightful conversations. #PIBC2023

We are excited to be sponsoring and attending the 2023 PIBC Conference at the beautiful Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia. We look forward to a week filled with informative sessions and insightful... conversations. #PIBC2023

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PIBC

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We are excited to have these #PIBC2023 exhibitors join us onsite in Sun Peaks! Come say hi to @_wattconsulting @SFU_REM @Granicus @BandA_Studios @CatalisGov & more from May 31-June 2 during our annual conference. Learn more about our sponsors & exhibitors: https://t.co/rOKPYcrZgo

We are excited to have these #PIBC2023 exhibitors join us onsite in Sun Peaks! Come say hi to @_wattconsulting @SFU_REM @Granicus @BandA_Studios @CatalisGov & more from May 31-June 2 during our ...annual conference. Learn more about our sponsors & exhibitors: https://t.co/rOKPYcrZgo

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B&A

1w

What is a 15-minute City, and why is it causing so much debate? The 15-minute city is an urban planning initiative stating that most daily necessities and services, like work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure should be easily reached by a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any point in the city. The goal is to reduce car dependency, promote healthy and sustainable living, support climate resiliency targets, and improve city dwellers' well-being and quality of life.

However, in 2023, planners, politicians and civic workers have been involved in some unexpected and uncomfortable debates over the idea. With conspiracy theorists spreading the idea that the concept of 15-Minute Cities is a scheme to restrict movement and control citizens, Canadian Planners from coast to coast have been forced into some difficult conversations at their public engagement sessions.

For a concept that encapsulates all the positive aims of designing cities into something of a catch-all buzzphrase, this negative interpretation has caused no shortage of confusion in the ranks. It may be tempting to dismiss these theories. Still, one of the key roles of a planner is to educate, so we have collected the following links to help anyone who is interested to come to a better understanding of this topic and its intricacies right now. Check out our discussion story highlight for some interesting articles on the topic.

What is a 15-minute City, and why is it causing so much debate? The 15-minute city is an urban planning initiative stating that most daily necessities and services, like work, shopping, education, ...healthcare, and leisure should be easily reached by a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any point in the city. The goal is to reduce car dependency, promote healthy and sustainable living, support climate resiliency targets, and improve city dwellers' well-being and quality of life.

However, in 2023, planners, politicians and civic workers have been involved in some unexpected and uncomfortable debates over the idea. With conspiracy theorists spreading the idea that the concept of 15-Minute Cities is a scheme to restrict movement and control citizens, Canadian Planners from coast to coast have been forced into some difficult conversations at their public engagement sessions.

For a concept that encapsulates all the positive aims of designing cities into something of a catch-all buzzphrase, this negative interpretation has caused no shortage of confusion in the ranks. It may be tempting to dismiss these theories. Still, one of the key roles of a planner is to educate, so we have collected the following links to help anyone who is interested to come to a better understanding of this topic and its intricacies right now. Check out our discussion story highlight for some interesting articles on the topic.

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B&A

3w

Teamwork makes the dream work! Our team had a great time volunteering for the City of Calgary's River and Pathway Clean Up. The annual event involves thousands of volunteers doing their part to help keep our wonderful city clean. #yyccleans

Teamwork makes the dream work! Our team had a great time volunteering for the City of Calgary's River and Pathway Clean Up. The annual event involves thousands of volunteers doing their part to ...help keep our wonderful city clean. #yyccleans

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B&A

3w

Teamwork makes the dream work! Our team had a great time volunteering for the City of Calgary's River and Pathway Clean Up. The annual event involves thousands of volunteers doing their part to help keep our wonderful city clean. #yyccleans

Teamwork makes the dream work! Our team had a great time volunteering for the City of Calgary's River and Pathway Clean Up. The annual event involves thousands of volunteers doing their part to ...help keep our wonderful city clean. #yyccleans

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B&A

1mo

Daniel MacGregor presented yesterday on day two of the 2023 CPAA Conference about how rural municipalities can reimagine underutilized spaces to create new opportunities and amenities for their community. We learned from our peers, including the keynote presentations from Ryan Jespersen, Alifeyah Gulamhusein, Chris Fields and more. We're excited for more sessions today as the conference wraps up today. #cpaa2023 #alberta #planning #conference2023

Daniel MacGregor presented yesterday on day two of the 2023 CPAA Conference about how rural municipalities can reimagine underutilized spaces to create new opportunities and amenities for their ...community. We learned from our peers, including the keynote presentations from Ryan Jespersen, Alifeyah Gulamhusein, Chris Fields and more. We're excited for more sessions today as the conference wraps up today. #cpaa2023 #alberta #planning #conference2023

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B&A

1mo

Dan MacGregor presented yesterday on day two of the 2023 CPAA Conference! We're excited for more sessions today for the conference's final day. #cpaa2023 #planning #conference2023

Dan MacGregor presented yesterday on day two of the 2023 CPAA Conference! We're excited for more sessions today for the conference's final day. #cpaa2023 #planning #conference2023

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

B&A acknowledges and respects the many Traditional Territories and Treaty Areas in which our work spans. We are grateful for the benefits the land provides to us and the wisdom of the Knowledge Keepers and Elders among the many communities we work with. We are all Treaty People.

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