Forth McMurray plans the future

EVDS students present ideas for change

By Joe Obad

FORT MCMURRAY—What do you do if you’re a municipality with limited resources wrestling to meet the boom that comes with bordering on Alberta’s largest resource extraction projects?
You call on the ideas of the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design.

A relationship between the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (Fort McMurray) and U of C students simply makes good sense. The municipality receives bold planning concepts from committed students, while they in turn gain valuable real-life experience working with planners facing profound challenges.

The partnership builds off a Memorandum of Understanding the university signed with Wood Buffalo in early 2007. Work began on five projects last September. A total of 33 students from EVDS 702 headed to Fort McMurray for initial site visits.

Municipal officials asked the students—who have skills in urban design, architecture, planning, industrial design and environmental science—to create bold yet tangible visions for:
• A viable airport and industrial area;
• A sustainable downtown redesign with increased density;
• A civic centre with a strong sense of place;
• A sustainable village centre design on the Saline Creek plateau; and
• Design options for the community of Waterways.

Municipal planners came to Calgary in December to view the projects as part of the 702 course work. Then, some of the EVDS students returned to Fort McMurray on Feb. 13, when two members from each project team presented their development concepts to about a hundred stakeholders.

“This has been an amazing journey as a team,” third-year planning student Gabriel Garcia told the crowd. “We lived and breathed and dreamt this work all fall, but it’s a dream come true to be asked by this community to deliver these innovative solutions.”

Wood Buffalo Mayor Melissa Blake called the projects avant-garde, but with a warmth and understanding for the community. “The students really took the time to listen to us,” she said. “These concepts show how we can draw our community into our important spaces in a sustainable way. They are truly inspired.”

The municipality’s planning department will now work to give real-world application to the projects.

	Civic Centre Complex This project designed a multi-purpose civic centre that includes traditional functions such as a mayor’s office, council chambers, space for municipal departments and community services as well as the incorporation of commercial uses, residential space, cultural venues and recreational opportunities. Students: Mimosa Arienzo, Kenan Handzic, Dion Lassu, Ji-Young Soulliere, Alison Tieman, Jane Walsh and Yuping Wang. Jane Walsh (left) and Alison Tieman delighted the audience with their group’s civic centre concept which included council chambers that bridged a portion of the river.
Waterways Re-destination Re-destination is a developed waterfront design for the Waterways community. Highlights include a developed green space between the built community and the Clearwater River; development of a mixed-use district along Railway Avenue that could incorporate independent retail outlets, office space, social services and residential housing; a transit-oriented and pedestrian-friendly community layout; and unique architectural attributes. Students: Aradhana Basnet, Jessica Elliot, Rachelle Haddock, Jennifer Miles, Sarah Pasemko, Khuyen Khoung, Ola Jarrar and Kerri Widenmaier. Kerri Widenmaier (left) and Sarah Pasemko with Wood Buffalo Chief Financial Officer Rodney Burkard (centre) in front of their project, Re:destination.
	Density Design–Kinect The Kinect design concept increases the density of residential and commercial development within the Lower Townsite to promote a sense of place.  The conceptual land use plan for Kinect emphasizes an adaptable dual use, phased design approach that responds to the evolving demographic and economic trends linked to the oilsands development. Activated pedestrian edges, a variety of civic spaces and recreational opportunities, and a walkable, vibrant core are markers along the path which leads to the creation of a Lower Townsite that nurtures community. Students: Julie Cecchetto, Garrath Douglas, Marcelo Figueira, Zarina Ramal-Shah, Janna Mariano-Groza, Sarah Marcan and Nathan Neufeld. Zarina Ramal-Shah (left) and Nathan Neufeld presented Density Design.
Airport Land Use Plan The conceptual land use plan embraces the vision of the airport as a northern portal designed to enhance access to northern resources, the region of Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray. It highlights access, circulation, land use, and the experience, weakness and strengths that contribute to the development of the airport lands. Students: Xi Chen, Steve Friesen, Robert Grant, Isabelle LaPorte and Penelope Longman. Jim, the “self-appointed mayor of Waterways,” takes in the airport concept from Steve Friesen (left) and Xi Chen.
	Saline Creek—Creekside Sustainability Centre This village centre design encourages a strong sense of community through social interaction, alternative technologies and economic strategies. The centre seeks to inject a distinct sense of community into new residential areas, as well as reflect the desire of Fort McMurray citizens to give back to the environment. Students: Gabriel Garcia, Catherine Cone, Bonnie Presser, Jonathon Schmidt and Melissa Witwer.  Gabriel Garcia (left) and Jonathon Schmidt won over the crowd with their group’s Creekside Sustainablity Centre.