Community character is an interdependence of many factors, both tangible and intangible: Built form,
landscape, history, people and their activities. It’s the sum of all the attributes and assets that make a
community unique and establish a sense of place. Character is shaped by how the community was
planned, built, regulated, adapted and re-built.
Things to ponder as you evaluate your community
1. The degree of consistency in urban design and architectural character, striking a balance
between repetition and monotony in design elements on a block or in a district.
By design element, it means general building heights, mass, setbacks, architectural period (new
and old), materials, and patterns of doors, windows, rooflines, and building ornamentation.
2. The public realm. The public realm consists of the street, sidewalk, and street lighting, trees, and
furniture. When the public realm is well-coordinated and unifying, consistency in urban design can be
achieved.
3. Attention to scale. Buildings come in many sizes but how do the size(s) work to create the
character. Also consider which scale is most important at various points along the route: scale in
relation to the pedestrian, driver, or even aerial view.
4. Readability and way-finding. A familiar structure, landmark building, a block pattern, and somewhat
predictable progression from larger to smaller buildings or vice versa can help decode/define character.
Is there anything particularly unique and individual to your community character? If your history is
interesting, is it explained through signage, plaques, brochures, and/or art?
5. Layers of complexity. When it looks as though every building was built in exactly the same year,
that's usually not a good thing or is it? Even historic districts may exhibit some variety.
Think of "community character" as close to the concept of "personality." When everything is
predictable, even if attractive, it may be a character trait appealing to some but not to others.
6. Repair & maintenance. Both private and public property: Building and landscaping condition,
refuse/garbage on the ground? Receptacles available?
7. Entrances, gateways, and exits. Vistas and perspectives. Formal entrances to the community
may or may not consist of monuments, gateways, or signage. Trees, public art, median strips, colored
pavement, banners, or a change of streetscape all could be used to form an entranceway. Vistas need
termination points and these are ideal locations for important public and civic uses.
* Adapted from http://www.useful-community-development.org/
Keys to urban character:
Configuration of lots: Small, regular lots or a variety? Alleys?
Building location, dimensions, and orientation: Buildings close to or at the front property? Low degree of
building separation? Height of buildings?
Site design: amount of and location of landscaping, parking and driveways
Street design: Sidewalks, street trees, and street furniture. On-street parking?
The intensity: Mixed uses within buildings, with residential on upper floors? Or single use buildings?
Location, extent, and type of civic buildings and/or public spaces.
Pedestrian orientation? Moderate or high transit, including transit stops and shelters?
Suggested Readings & Resources
Urban Design:
Dynamic Urban Design, by Michael von Hausen.
How Buildings Learn, by Stewart Brand
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs
The Image of the City, by Kevin Lynch
Great Streets, by Allan B. Jacobs
Design of Cities, by Edmund N. Bacon
Cities for People, by Jan Gehl
Charter of the New Urbanism, 2nd Edition, Edited by Emily Talen
Heritage Related:
City of Calgary Heritage Planning - www.calgary.ca/heritage
Discover Historic Calgary - www.calgary.ca/heritageinventory
Heritage Canada The National Trust - www.heritagecanada.org
National Trust for Historic Preservation (US) - www.preservationnation.org
English Heritage - www.english-heritage.org
Calgary Heritage Initiative - www.calgaryheritage.org
www.planetizen.com
www.cnu.org
www.pps.org
www.worldarchitecturenews.com
Sign up to receive Heritage news from
the Calgary Heritage Authority! Email
info@calgaryheritageauthority.com to join
Local Research resources:
Calgary Public Library - Community Heritage and Family History (Central Branch)
Glenbow Museum Archives www.glenbow.org
City of Calgary Archives (lower floor, Old City Hall)
Canadian Architectural Archives (U of C) http://caa.ucalgary.ca
Additional Questions to ponder in your own community
Neighbourhood quality of life in general:
- Do you feel that the quality of life in your neighbourhood in the past three years has: Improved?
Worsened? Stayed the same?
- How would you describe your neighbourhood as it is today?
- What are the things that need to stay?
- What are the things that need to be changed / what is missing?
Usability, accessibility, versatility:
- In the last 6 months how many times have you visited your “main street” for shopping / services / coffee / eating
out: Less than 5 times? 5-10 times? More than 5 times?
- Do you prefer to shop / run errands in an area that has everything in one place or do you like to visit different
locations around the city? A bit of both?
- What type of uses do you like to have in your community?
- What type of uses would you not like to have in your community?
Mobility / Getting around in your community:
- Indicate the primary method of travel & the main reason that makes you use each of those modes:
Walk
Bike
Car
Transit
Neighbourhood elements that have positive physical, functional and visual impacts:
Public realm (consists of the street, sidewalk, public parking, street lighting, trees, furniture, parks, bridges,
underpasses etc.)
- Why do you enjoy a certain public space in your neighbourhood?
- What are the 3 most important public realm elements you value? you dislike?
Private realm (consists of all privately owned property, buildings, parking areas, gathering spaces, walkways etc.)
- What are the 3 most important private realm elements you value? you dislike?
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