PLAN630-2026 (Comfort, Eremenko, Norman, Seeton) Poster by ucalgarySAPL

Thorncliffe-Greenview & North Haven Neighbourhood Design Concepts PLAN 630 Advanced Professional Planning Studio | April 2026 Matt Comfort, Emily Eremenko, Catherine Norman, Noah Seeton | Instructor Francisco Alaniz Uribe

Site Context

As neighbouring communities, Thorncliffe - Greenview and North Haven share many geographic and urban features. The communities are in the heart of the north of Calgary and are only a 15-minute drive, 20 minutes by transit, to major activity centers like downtown and the Calgary International Airport (YYC). Both neighbourhood life cycles are seeing the population grow older and the next generation is ready to move in.

KEY MAP

Focus Areas

Methodology 1

Spatial research Data and demographics

NEIGHBOURHOOOD ANALYSIS

Workshop COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Site visits

3D built form PHYSICAL MODEL OPEN HOUSE

HOUSING

Interventions & ideation Present to steering committee

3 DRAFT DESIGN CONCEPTS

BUILT FORM

OTHER LAND USE

OPEN SPACE

We are here!

Incorporate feedback into final designs FINAL REPORTS Submit the reports to the communities

6 MOBILITY

E tN 4S

4 St NW

Huntington Hills

Site History

64 Ave NE

Nose Creek

NORTH HAVEN

ot Trl N

14 St NW

UPPER NORTH HAVEN

Deerfo

THORNCLIFFE

Nose Hill Park

(1947)

(TIME IMMEMORIAL) First Nations used Nose Hill as a lookout & Nose Creek was used for bison kills

Calgary became a town

Skyline West McKnight Blvd NW

Highwood

IEW

Edmonton Trl

Centre St N

Queens Park Village

(2007) Calgary reaches 1 million people

(1954) Parade of homes in Thorncliffe to accommodate oil housing need

YYC moved to current loc.

Av eN

What We Heard

Calgary became a city (1894)

CONSTRAINTS

BUSY SCHOOLS & UNSAFE STREETS

DIFFICULT ACCESS

(1938)

Greenview Industrial Park

Highland Park Cambrian Heights

Leduc oil boom & pop growth

(1884)

LACK OF AMENITIES

Thorncliffe, Greenview, North Haven est. (1950s & 60s)

Nose Hill Park est. (1980)

City-wide rezoning (2024)

Communities separated (1991)

Guiding Principles

PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT

OPPORTUNITIES

IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY

DIVERSIFY HOUSING

CREATE DESTINATIONS

SUPPORT NATURE

What We Discovered MOBILITY The proposed green line train is holding back transit and streetscape upgrades.

Transit is frequent N-S but busses are full during rush hour. Transit E-W is limited.

OPEN SPACE

There is inadequate pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

INCLUSIVE

CONNECTED

ADAPTABLE

Design communities to encourage diverse people to enjoy the different housing options, prices and mixed-use hubs. Provide people-centred streets that enable diverse transportation options.

Create spaces, uses, services and amenities that welcome people of any age and any ability. Ensure any resident can reach their destinations safely and easily.

Design neighbourhoods that connect people, places and nature, through quality infrastructure, compact design, great open spaces, and enhanced public realm.

Create spaces that support the natural environment across future changes, and function through the seasons. Provide built typologies that can adapt to resident needs across ages and lifetimes.

BUILT FORM

INTERVENTIONS *adapted from Friedman & Pollock, 2024 Playgrounds

Key intersections experience higher incidents mainly from poor design.

DIVERSE

Outdoor Exercise

Proximity

Potential Development Corridors

64 t h Ave

Block Structures Restaurants Grocery Stores

Nose Hil l

Cafe

Urban Agriculture

Farmer Markets

Bl ackthorn Rd

Laycock Park

Residential - Medium Density

Sports

Commercial

fo or

Spyhi ll Rd

Residential - Low Density Egert’s Park

Institution Parks + Recreation

Northmount Dr

Cultural Events

Street Markets

Thorncl iffe CA

Trails & Off-leash

OVERVIEW

McKnight Blvd

N os e C re ek

OPPORTUNITIES Permanent winter programming Host pop up and cultural events in open spaces and street network Stormwater & low-impact design Increased urban agriculture Rewild unused off-leash spaces Diversify outdoor sport options

Centre St

Ave

4 t h St NW

4 t h St NE

North Haven CA

Key Residential Recommendations FOR THE CITY: Incentivise affordable, diverse housing typologies that accomodate a range of demographics Adopt more pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use districts over auto-orientated zoning Partner with organizations to turn underutilized land into multigenerational living developments

FOR THE COMMUNITY: The community should encourage changes in their neighbourhoods that bring compact growth Support new housing in the form of multi-residential and mixed-use buildings in defined areas Stay involved in how their community evolves overtime with input at engagement events Support projects that create high quality public space and affordable housing

64 t h Ave

l rfo

Deer

Nose Hil l

Laycock Park

Blackthorn Rd

Spyhi ll Rd

4 t h St NE

e th Av 48

Egert’s Park

NW North Haven CA

Thorncl iffe CA

foot

N os e C re ek

Northmount Dr

McKnight Blvd

rl nT Ed m

o ont

rB ie ur Jo

Centre St

4 t h St NW

400 m TOD Radius

200 m TOD Radius

Proposed LRT Stations

Current BRT Stops

Mixed-Use and Live/Work Opportunities

600 m TOD Radius Greenline BRT /Proposed LRT Route

(R-CG)

H-GO)

(MU-1)

(C-N1)

(M-C2)

(M-H1)

(DC)

No Zoning Modifier

Supports Aging-In-Place

Multi-family Residential

Greater Connectivity

Limited (up to 3 storeys)

Low (up to 6 storeys)

Low - Modified (up to 4 storeys)

No Scale Modifier

Supports Families

Supports TOD

Strategy Shared community spaces Rezone to Direct Control (DC) to develop a multi-generational residential on the first 2 levels development that addresses the aging population and families, adapting to the current and future demographic needs. 6 storey apartment with up to

CONTINUUM LIVING: Multi-Generational Complex

Community Ammenities 4 storey apartments with up to 3 bedroom units Greenhouses + community garden

4 bedroom units

Ave

T r e lle D r N E

6 storey apartments 6 storey Mixed Use Corridor

MAIN STREET LIVING

No rth mo

N o rt h m o u n t D r

Th o rn c li ffe CA

C en t re S t

unt

Strategy Rezone to Mixed Use - Active Frontage (MU-2) to develop a Transit Oriented Development, main street corridor that functions as both an active pedestrian realm with direct access to the Green Line LRT station and multi-family residential living.

e Av

ell

Centre St

Residential Thorncl iffe CA

Commercial

NEIGHBOURHOOD CONNECTOR 4 storey Mixed-Use commercial at grade with 3 storey 1 & 2 bedroom apartments above 4 - Plexes with the option for live/work units at grade

M c K n ig h t B l v d

3 storey Stacked Townhouses with 2 storey Rowhouses in the back

S k y l i n e We st

ht B

lvd

nt mo

Tr l

nig McK

yli

Ed m

FOCUS AREA: HOUSING

ont

on T

Strategy Rezone the top 7 parcels to MU-1 to develop a mixed use building with commercial at grade to active the street. Leave the remaining parcels zoned as H-GO to allow for mixed multi-residential typologies, as well as live/work units to align with the NHCLAP ‘Neighbourhood Connector’ Urban Form.

Key Other Land Use Recommendations FOR THE CITY: The City should incentivise mixed use development around community hubs to expedite meaningful change Adopt more pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use districts over auto-orientated zoning The City should partner with schools and community organizations to turn underutilized leased land into projects that deliver public benefit

FOR THE COMMUNITY: The community should encourage changes in their neighbourhoods that bring more compact growth Support new housing in the form of mixed-use buildings that are developed in defined areas Stay involved in how their community evolves overtime with input at engagement events Support projects that create high quality public space and affordable housing

Master Plan - Other Land Use NW

Nose Hill

Build Around Existing Assets 64

Ave

CHINOOK SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Laycock Park

Bl ackthorn Rd

fo or

Spyhi l l Rd

Commercial

Egert’s Park Northmount Dr

Thorncl iffe CA

North Haven CA

Centre St

4 t h St NW

Ave

2 4 t h St NE

STRATEGY: Intensify around existing hubs by adding additional square footage and enhancing the public realm.

McKnight Blvd

N os e C re ek

Partnership in Underutilized Space

Commercial Hub

Strip Mall Design Guidlines

Building Around Assets

Partnerships in Underutilized Spaces THORNCLIFFE/GREENVIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

STRATEGY: Take advantage of the surplus land of schools and community associations and partner with the City of Calgary to provide equitable housing in the right places.

Residential Commercial

Commercial

Residential

Strip Mall Design Guidlines

FORMER SAFEWAY

Residential

NORTH HAVEN SCHOOL

DESCRIPTION: The community associations and schools in our study area have large amounts of underutilized land that could be redeveloped in ways that benefit the community. In these examples, a portion of the parcel will be used to affordable housing. A portion of the lease revenue will be directed to the institutions to upgrade their facilities.

Commercial Hub Development

STRATEGY: Redevelop the former Safeway site (future Fresh Co.) into a mixed-use, urban scaled commercial hub.

DESCRIPTION: This neighbourhood commercial site is a beloved part of North Haven.The current surface parking lot is not the best use of space. Moving the parking to the street opens up space for life. The proposed building helps frame a new plaza. The second story opens into the plaza, while the first story opens to the street.

DESCRIPTION: Grocery stores are getting smaller across Canada to better suite the urban environment and include housing. By developing the first phase on the existing surface parking lot, it will allow the existing grocery store to remain open until the first phase is completed. Once the new grocery store is operational, the next phase can commence.

FOCUS AREA: OTHER LAND USE

PELICAN PEIR MALL

STRATEGY: Provide guidlines for strip mall redevelopment along main streets into mixed use hubs.

DESCRIPTION: The strip malls in the study area all reflect their time of development. Their form is not inviting to pedestrians and limits the uses that can exist. New redevelopment guidlines will help to create vibrancy and walkability in the commercial spaces that once featured parking lots. layering uses vertically helps to intensify the community in the areas that can tolerate additional density.

Residential Commercial

Key Open Space Recommendations FOR THE COMMUNITY: All properties abutting parks and greenspace should implement bird-friendly design measures The community should implement a community art program (see Mini Galleries in Crescent Heights for inspiration) Individuals should use rain barrels and downspout planters on their property The community should prioritize multi-season/multi-sport courts over one type (baseball diamonds)

FOR THE CITY: The City shall prioritize low-impact design measures when repairing or improving streetscapes and infrastructure The City should daylight Trafford Creek The City should increase seating and seating types in open spaces The City shall plant low maintenance native wildflowers on unused green parcels

Master Plan - Open Space

Parks for All - Inspiration

“We have a lot of green space that does a bit but not enough... Our parks could be doing way more.”

Halifax Boardwalk

64 t h Ave

Trafford Creek Nose Hil l f

Laycock Park

Blackthorn Rd

r No

k ol

Spyhill Rd Egert’s Park Northmount Dr

Thorncl iffe CA

Crescent Heights - mini galleries

lv Jo

N os e C re ek

McKnight Blvd Centre St

4 t h St NW

Ave

4 t h St NE

CREATIVE SEATING Fosters social interaction Builds community identity Supports intergenerational use

ARTWORK Experience at your own pace Can be rotating pieces Can support local artists

North Haven CA

Stormwater Infrastructure (SWI) & low-impact design (LID)

“Parks for All” Existing pathways

Trafford Creek & Nose Creek Brendan Keegan, 2020

C&C Courts Inc

New permeable pavement pathways

Wildflowers & pollinator meadows

New clay/mulch pathways

Other green space

INCLUSIVE EQUIPMENT Provides safe and accessible play for all ages Includes exercise and play equipment for audults and seniors

MULTI-SEASON, MULTI-SPORT Provides different options for sports all in one place Can be converted to a skating rink to allow year-round play

Stormwater Infrastructure & Low Impact Design - Inspiration

Brampton, Ontario, 2014

BIORETENTION/RAIN GARDENS Helps reduce local flooding Improves hill stability Low maintenance long term

BIOSWALES & GREEN GUTTERS Reduces water pollution Increases ground absorption Easily applicable to most roads

TREE TRENCHES & SILVA CELLS Manages runoff and improves tree health Mitigates heat impacts

CONCEPTUAL PROGRAMMING

BEFORE

Trafford Creek & Egert’s Park

SITE PLAN

Spyhi l l Rd

REFL EN

r No

k ol

Nose Hil l

The goals of this intervention are to restore the natural habitat and water management and to encourage both engagement and reprise.

EXCE

Existing deciduous tree

Existing coniferous tree

Egert’s Park Northmount Dr

AFTER

PERMEABLE PAVEMENT Better for the environment Safer in ice and snow Costlier than regular pavement

Philadelphia, 2020

gruppe F, 2019

Assemblage Landscape Architecture, 2017

“The snow and ice pools on the streets making it difficult to walk. Then come spring time, our streets turn into waterfalls.”

WHY SWI & LID One of the biggest concerns facing the community is flooding and the poor drainage of water, snow and ice. Implementing these low impact interventions can help address these concerns, especially when designed in areas of high water accumulation. Additionally, these interventions can foster a healthier ecosystem.

WHY PARKS FOR ALL The communities of North Haven, Upper North Haven, Thorncliffe, and Greenview collectively have a lot of access to greenspace. However much of the greenspace is underprogrammed and inaccessible to residents with various mobility needs.

Looking east from just past Norfolk Drive

New Path - permeable pavement New Path - Clay or mulch Existing path Topography Traffford Creek

SECTION A - LOOKING TOWARDS NOSE HIILL

KEY MAP

Culvert Riparian Area* - water friendly plantings

North Haven CA

Play extension - all ages & abilities Dog agility

WATER FLOW

Permeable Pavement Pathway

4 t h St NW

Rain gardens McKnight Blvd

Indigenous art/storytelling RIPARIAN AREA

*general guide

FOCUS AREA: OPEN SPACE

Semi Permeable Rubber Surfacing

Key Open Space Recommendations FOR THE COMMUNITY: The community association should provide workshops on active transportation The school should assist in tree and greenery planting along the new median

FOR THE CITY: The city shall require at least one form of traffic calming at all new schools The city shall require that inner community arterial roads have multimodal connections even if adjacent to the road (such as a separated multi-modal path)

Master Plan - Mobility

North Haven School

PRECEDENTS CITY OF WINNIPEG

(Traffic Calming Measures Aim to Curb Safety Risks, 2025)

ST JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND

(Chicanes, 2022)

SARNIA, ONTARIO

(Traffic Calming Curbs Installed in Sarnia, 2019)

Facts on Traffic Calming

48th Ave @ North Haven Drive Traffic Calming

New Connections

John Laurie Roundabout and Overpass

Proposed Bus Stops

John Laurie Bus Stop

Multimodal Paths

Thorncliffe School Traffic Calming Measures

Proposed Bus Route

East - West Connections

Raised Crosswalks Reduce car speeds by operating like speed bumps, reducing collision seriousness in crashes Boost pedestrian view by moving them into motorists’ line of vision Inspire drivers to yield more regularly at pedestrian crossings Traffic Medians (Refuge Islands) Help consolidate traffic flow and hinder unsafe passing or turning activities Lower crash levels by stopping head-on crashes (notably with raised medians) Increase safety on open or high-speed streets where full traversing gaps are uncommon Curb Bump-Outs (Curb Extensions) Reduce crossing distance, shrinking the amount of time pedestrians are inside the roadway Strengthen visibility among pedestrians and motorists by eliminating parked-car obstructions Easily slow turning cars by constricting corner radii

Benefits of the Bus Stop Putting a bus stop in this locale would generate briefer, more express walking paths to the bus stop and improve ridership. Right now, John Laurie acts as a manmade barrier that cuts off part of the community and could be prevented by opening this barrier. In doing so, would also get natural surveillance which Jane Jacobs refers to as “eyes on the street”. It also decreases the physical division between the community and public infrastructure such as bus stops. Finally, it provides an opportunity to insert landscaping, benches, or illumination instead of maintaining an obstacle.

MAX ORANGE - CALGARY

(Martin, 2024)

MAX ORANGE - CALGARY

(Martin, 2024)

Thorncliffe School

CONSTRAINTS ADDRESSED

BUSY SCHOOLS & UNSAFE STREETS

Benefits of Medians in School Zones Thinner lanes make motorists feel less secure speeding, guiding more vigilant driving habits Elevated medians can restrict mid-block U-turns or dangerous left turns close to schools A smaller distance for passing, winding, or hostile driving close to schools Extra space can be reorganized to facilitate cycle lanes, broader sidewalks, or buffer areas

John Laurie @ McKnight Roundabout

FOCUS AREA: MOBILITY

Before Conditions

PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT