LOCATION Arrata Opera Centre
Established in 1911 by the Wesley congregation the building has operated as a house of worship, a Sunday school and is currently home to Calgary Opera, who took over the old Wesley United Church in 2005. The Arrata Opera Centre houses the company’s administrative offices, a rehearsal hall, a wardrobe shop, an education wing and holds recitals and special events.
WHAT HAPPENED Discussion on design challenges to facilitate mobility and opportunities for improving Calgary’s own scale for the human.
SCREENING “THE HUMAN SCALE” director: Andreas M. Dalsgaard
PANEL DISCUSSION With Don Mulligan/City of Calgary, Ryan Martison/Stantec, Darren Bender/University of Calgary, Councillor Druh Farrel/City of Calgary Ward 7 (Moderator)
EVENT SUMMARY
Let’s talk about…getting around considered modern city infrastructure and how it can impact human interaction, personal and environmental health, a sense of place and community, and enhance or hinder mobility. The documentary, “The Human Scale” by Andreas M. Dalsgaard, offered insights from Danish Architect Jan Gehl, Rob Adams and Janette Sadik-Kahn, and examples from Copenhagen, Melbourne, Dhaka, Chongquing, Christchurch, and New York to demonstrate what cities could become if we include people (and the human scale) in the equation.
The City of Calgary has placed pedestrians at the top of their transportation considerations, followed by biking, transit and the automobile. This is an exciting and important time for Calgarians to contribute to the shape and the ease of mobility in our city. Let’s keep talking about getting around.
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
If you would like to continue the conversation on urban design that is human-scaled, here are a few ways to stay engaged:
- Watch for the City of Calgary transportation planning projects and a new Pedestrian Strategy
- Participate in upcoming discussions on the Inner City Cycle Track Network. Council will make a final decision on April 28th
- Contribute your ideal street to the d.talks street mix, and submit a design to hello@dtalk.org or listen to what we heard at the event here.
- Send us questions unanswered, or your own thoughts on how to keep the conversation going