THE URBAN LAB an ongoing experiment in education, research and outreach

Beverly A. Sandalack PhD FCSLA MCIP

Research Leader | The Urban Lab Professor | Associate Dean (Academic)

Faculty of Environmental Design University of Calgary

Why? - quality of the public realm - sense of place - sustainability - the built environment, physical activity, and public health !

Approach Layers of permanence in the built environment!(Sandalack & Nicolai 2006)"

the land and environmental factors"

the public realm"

built form"

Calgary Cultural District: a framework for the future > For the Calgary Cultural District Partnership > Regional Citation Award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects 2001

> developed techniques of mapping permeability / degree of publicness > importance of edge conditions to success of public space > illustrated that the problems are mostly morphological - not fixed by programming

> development of an alternative to the conventional area redevelopment plan and process > National Merit/Regional Honour Awards - Canadian Society of Landscape Architects 2002

Cliff Bungalow - Mission Neighbourhood Plan

> main issue - how to deal with change and transformation/conserve community character > process - evolved the Townscape Analysis process, 3 D modelling

existing"

proposed "reflecting urban structure and "

community aspirations"

future under" current zoning"

> building types > streetscape studies for use in heritage plans and design guidelines """

Hamlet of Benalto: Area Redevelopment Plan > National Honour Award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects 2006"> International Federation of Landscape Architecture Cultural Landscapes Case Study"

> main issues - small town character, quality of life, sense of place"

> process - 3 day workshop on site, use of physical model""

> Townscape Analysis as design/educational tool, the importance of approachable drawings""

EcoEUFORIA: Economic Analysis of Urban Form to Increase Activity > collaboration of Environmental Design,Medicine, Kinesiology, funded by CIHR

> Neighbourhood Type and Experiential Quality

WARPED GRID 2.93 sq. km

GRID 3.68 sq. km

CURVILINEAR 2.15 sq. km

> Neighbourhood Type and Walkshed Size

> Next front: energy consumption

self reported vehicle travel (hours) !

Grid

Warped Grid

Curvilinear

Hours per year

The Calgary Project (2006)"University of Calgary Press"

Nickle Arts Museum"Cultural Landscapes of Alberta (2005)"Nickle Arts Museum"

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