ULI Canada was pleased to host the Canadian City Catalysts Initiative Council (CCC) in Calgary for the Spring Council Meeting. Composed of industry leaders from across Canada’s three District Councils (Alberta, British Columbia, Toronto), the CCC convened to participate in dialogue and knowledge-sharing on matters related to transformational development in Canadian markets.

The program coincided with ULI Alberta’s keynote presentation under the theme: Shaping an Innovative, Catalytic Landscape. The panel event brought together local innovators, Calgary Economic Development CEO, Mary Moran and visiting speaker Dennis Lower, CEO of Cortex (an innovation community in St. Louis) to discuss the catalytic and innovation opportunities.

The group’s tour of C-Space, arts incubator and adaptive re-use project, focused on how the development has created a strong community and cultural asset. The funding model for the project incorporated land sales for development (condos and seniors living), plus a combination of three-levels of government funding, foundation funding along with individual philanthropic contributions.

The CCC met City Manager, Jeff Fielding and senior-level officials at the City of Calgary and Calgary Economic Development for a briefing on Calgary’s future direction in relation to the economy, land use and major infrastructure projects on the horizon. Facing current economic challenges, a pressing need was identified for both City and private industry to align on progressive forms of governance, policies and public-private partnerships.

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s Susan Veres led an informative tour of the East Village, both a formative area of Calgary’s history and one of the country’s most exciting land redevelopment initiatives. Specific opportunities and challenges were articulated, from embracing Calgary’s waterfront to integrating major public projects and national institutions to how the City’s first TIF (Tax Increment Financing) model was realized. The strategy continues to catalyze new development both within and in the vicinity of East Village.

Presentations provided by University District’s James Robertson, C-Space’s Reid Henry and First Gulf’s Rene Gomes on their catalytic project in East Harbour, Toronto provided perspective on unconventional approaches to complex land use challenges, market opportunities, multi-stakeholder processes and agreements, financing, phasing and the public realm.

The Council program culminated in a roundtable discussion and ideation workshop on the future redevelopment of Victoria Park, providing an insider perspective on the most current masterplan, how potentially catalytic strategies can be employed to intensify the area and the creation of a true entertainment and arena district for Calgary.

The Council meets bi-annually, rotating between Canadian markets to encourage information cross-share, highlighting catalytic projects across Canada. The next Council meeting is tentatively scheduled for Toronto in November 2018.