The three most important elements of a strong city are design, education and health care. The greatest success and progress comes when they work together.
Cities are a lot like people in that their priorities and interests evolve as they grow, develop and mature. Things that might have distinguished them in infancy are less impressive in adulthood — a child of three who can read is considered a genius, though a person of 30 who can read is nothing out of the ordinary.
Cities, too, have to evolve if they want to continue to attract visitors and new residents. Those that do not are destined to stagnate as their populations migrate toward places with more promise.
Calgary as a Desirable City
In its earliest incarnation, Calgary could distinguish itself from its contemporaries by having a North West Mounted Police presence and river access. These features set it apart from other prairie outposts and increased its attractiveness and chances for success. But, in today’s terms, having a police presence or a river won’t set Calgary above other cities — it’s a given that a city of 1 million people would have a police force, and advances in transportation mean rivers are no longer a requisite for trade. This, of course, is an extreme example. But that’s not to say the Calgary of today doesn’t need to reevaluate what its priorities are if it wants to distinguish itself among its global peers.
So what does it take for a city to be considered desirable today? One line of thought is that successful cities are those that demonstrate a strong commitment to health care, education and design — three elements that will produce an exemplary urban model and an excellent quality of life.
Health Care in a City
Health care is something of a no-brainer. No one wants to live in a place that doesn’t have good hospitals and wellness initiatives. It’s why health care is a mainstay issue at legislative budget meetings and addressed on all election platforms. It’s why regular people actively engage in charitable funding initiatives for all matter of health-related issues and concerns. It’s a rarity to encounter anyone who would argue against investment in health care.
Education in a City
Education is another case that is easy to make. Good schools and at least one well-funded post-secondary institution are prerequisites for any urban centre trying to claim a place at the table alongside the world’s great cities. Investing in education not only benefits a city’s existing population but also attracts educated people from all over the world. “Invest in education” is a catchphrase that writes itself.
The Design of a City
Design, however, tends to be a tougher sell. And a big part of the reason is most people don’t really understand what design is. “It’s such a broad term, not well-articulated and, I think, often seen to be elite,” says Nancy Pollock-Ellwand, dean of the faculty of environmental design at the University of Calgary. “People often don’t see the fundamental value of it.”
The idea of investing in design is commonly associated with funding the creation of iconic items of architecture or public art. The concept of design being a foundation for a successful city, however, has less to do with physical pieces and is more about fostering a culture of innovation.
Designers, says Pollock-Ellwand, are those people who use “design thinking” in any field or industry. “If the design is wrong, you will understand that there’s a problem, but, if the design is right, you just accept it,” she says. “It’s a natural feeling. It’s instinctual. It’s on a level for which there is no vocabulary...There’s not really a sophisticated way for us to express it because so much of it is felt.
“Our sense of place, the character of a place, that’s all about design.”
For the complete article by Shelley Arnusch in Avenue Magazine's October edition, click here.