It’s going down in Chinatown
Calgary officials turn to the population to see what’s best for the downtown region
By Bigoa Machar
The cool looking tigers gracing the front of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre have become a staple in Calgary’s architecture for years now. As one of the city’s most vibrant regions, Calgary’s Chinatown has had very few new developments over the past couple of years. So long in fact that Calgary City Council is gathering information from Calgary’s Chinese community, as well as the rest of Calgary, to see what should be done with this downtown region. The project, dubbed Planning Chinatown, will be a variety of events from now until September 2016 to see what Calgarians want to see happen.
“In this phase of engagement, we’re gathering community views on Chinatown including current issues, challenges and ideas for the future,” says Allison Chan, Planning Chinatown project manager.
With much of the city modernizing, it’s important to keep the cultural aspects of the city in tact.
“This will help us understand what outcomes are important for preserving Chinatown’s unique cultural identity and history,” Chan says. “We also want to ensure revitalization of the area supports a vision for Chinatown that is sustainable, thriving and culturally vibrant,” she adds.
Much like the city has done with new transit plans in the past, there will be in-person and online forums in which residents of the city can share their opinions with city officials, something that Chen says is needed to keep Chinatown alive and well.
“Chinatown is the heart and home for Chinese Canadians and important to all Calgarians,” Chan says. “Your ideas, aspirations and hopes will help us create the best outcome possible and make Chinatown even stronger.”
Visit calgary.ca/planningchinatown to learn more and get involved.