Open House #2

Main Campus LRDP Open House #2 Consultation Summary

Feedback and Responses

The final open houses were held on May 25 & 26, 2006 and focused on gathering input on the updated draft of the proposed Main Campus Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). One hundred and eight people attended the May open houses including UCalgary students, faculty, staff, neighboring residents and community partners. Forty one written/online feedback forms were submitted. What follows is a summary of the feedback by stakeholders organized by the common themes that emerged from input.

  1. Feedback: Create a more edible landscape

    Although creating a more edible landscape is not within the scope of the LRDP, the university will work with designers to evaluate opportunities to incorporate elements of a edible landscape as the campus develops. Currently, the graduate residence, Crowsnest Hall, has a landscape that includes berry bushes and fruit trees, and the university will monitor and learn from this initiative for future potential edible landscape.

  1. Feedback: Improving campus exterior connectivity while maintaining key interior connections

    As opportunities arise, the university will look towards improving and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle pathways around the main campus within the overall vision outlined by the LRDP. We will explore design options on a case-by-case basis and aim to maintain major interior connections wherever possible.

  2. Feedback: Improving bicycle supporting infrastructure

    We continuously look for opportunities to improve bicycle infrastructure on the campus, including additional bicycle racks at our buildings, and additional secured bicycle parking as demand arises and new structures are developed on campus.

  1. Feedback: High parking rates

    While parking rates were noted by some stakeholders, this is not within the scope of the LRDP. The rates are continuously monitored and adjusted, and reflect the market conditions.

  2. Feedback: Concern about transit and service vehicle only roadways

    The university will carry out feasibility studies before implementing dedicated transit and service vehicle roadways.

  1. Feedback: Accommodating future growth

    Based on high-level projections, the main campus is expected to have sufficient space for future growth for the next 30 years to accommodate 40,000 students plus associated faculty and staff, while still maintaining access and visibility of existing and new open spaces.

  1. Feedback: LRT arrival experience

    The LRDP proposes an open space near the university LRT with a strong sense of arrival that provides the campus community and visitors a good view of our campus with landmarks that help them navigate. We will identify opportunities to connect with our interior pathway system from future mixed-use buildings near the LRT station.

  2. Feedback: Improve transit users experience

    The university continuously works with Calgary Transit to identify opportunities to improve the transit experience. The LRDP has also identified a new future transit centre at the north end of the campus and an enhancement of the existing Transit Centre on the south side of the campus. While not in the scope of the LRDP, some stakeholders noted that they would like to see improved transit shelters.

  1. Feedback: More detailed information

    The main purpose of the LRDP is to provide a vision and framework for future substantial developments to ensure the main campus is vibrant, cohesive, and welcoming. The LRDP outlines where development is planned and the type of land use that is expected on the campus. The LRDP does not speak to specifics about building design or timing of new developments and locations.

  1. Feedback: Future plans

    There are currently no plans for the University-owned lands within the Foothills Athletic Park. The university and the City of Calgary are working together to ensure that the university-owned and City-owned lands are looked at collectively. The main campus LRDP takes these lands and community into consideration to align our entryways. The LRDP ensures that we remain connected to our neighbours and that our neighbours feel welcome to engage in the many activities on campus with our community.

  1. Feedback: Main Campus Long Range Development Plan

    Overall, the feedback provided by the public showed support of the draft LRDP. The LRDP's consideration for more open/green spaces, the provision of efficient pathways and bike lanes and the minimization of conflict between cars and pedestrians was well received.