The Great Canadian Skyline Thread! II - Page 51

TallBob · #**1001** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 4:33 AM**

Just the area of Calgary shown above could easily accomadate another 20 - 25,000 residents, easy without adding any additional infrastructure. IMO

logan5 · #**1002** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 4:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

Vancouver's West End is also not that great (many of the buildings are older and less desirable), and not the only neighbourhood like that in the city. It feels like the preoccupation with the West End dates from 1982.

It's subjective of course, but I think it's pretty evident high density living is a popular choice for many. These more affordable older buildings are key to allowing the diversity of residents that make the West End interesting and give it a good energy. If the Beltline can achieve West End type densities, it would make it a much more interesting place.

floobie · #**1003** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeDgE

Having been to Vancouver for the first time last year since about 1991 I would agree with everything you said. What struck me the most was there seemed to be no big highway to get out of the city, driving the trans Canada from Vancouver back to Maple Ridge was insane, two lanes and bumper to bumper all the way. I think I really should be living somewhere with a moister climate. Same when we go to Florida the air is thick and so awesome, skin feels good etc. And I love the green too. Reminds me of England which I also like.

Probably why people from there tend to think Calgary is so ugly, its usually dull and brown most of the year.

Yeah, the Trans Canada was rather congested coming in... and basically all of it seemed to be under construction.

Anyway, some photos:

Untitled by eibbor7, on Flickr

Untitled by eibbor7, on Flickr
(This one was taken through glass from the Empire Landmark Hotel's rotating restaurant... so, not the best lighting or quality)

kw5150 · #**1004** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 5:00 PM**

What it would look like if the beltline was on the west end of calgary instead of the south

By kw5150 at 2012-05-16

kw5150 · #**1005** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 5:13 PM**

More beltline density (with a dirty lens)

By kw5150 at 2011-04-03

Nouvellecosse · #**1006** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

What it would look like if the beltline was on the west end of calgary instead of the south

Awesome! That almost looks like a Toronto aerial!

to2005 by kitsch:in:sync http://www.flickr.com/photos/f8/5597.../faves-sookie/

kw5150 · #**1007** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 5:36 PM**

It does? lol. I dont think we are quite there yet.

Nouvellecosse · #**1008** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 5:40 PM**

Well not so much size wise. Just that seeing the downtown and Beltline in one long corridor has a similar dynamic lol.

The_Architect · #**1009** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 5:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Awesome! That almost looks like a Toronto aerial!

to2005 by kitsch:in:sync http://www.flickr.com/photos/f8/5597.../faves-sookie/

When's that picture from, 1997?

LeftCoaster · #**1010** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 6:04 PM**

Given the buildout at cityplace I'd say around 2005 .

I like the beltline right where it is, makes the neighbourhood much more accessible to downtown jobs.

Surrealplaces · #**1011** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 6:43 PM**

Calgary in the 1940's

Calagry by Kingsdude/Dave, on Flickr

Surrealplaces · #**1012** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 6:45 PM**

Not to mention that it's old aerial. There are a few buildings missing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

What it would look like if the beltline was on the west end of calgary instead of the south

Nouvellecosse · #**1013** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Given the buildout at cityplace I'd say around 2005 .

I like the beltline right where it is, makes the neighbourhood much more accessible to downtown jobs.

Bingo! The photo was taken on October 25, 2005.

Ramako · #**1014** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 7:17 PM**

That shot of Calgary in the '40s is mind blowing. From outpost to metropolis in 70 years.

A more recent aerial of Toronto, but from the other side:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thingsm...n/photostream/

Calgarian · #**1015** Posted: **May 16, 2012, 7:21 PM**

For the most part, Calgary is definitely a suburban city, though comparing it to Vancouver makes about as much sense as comparing it to New York. Calgary is on the edge of the prairies with no geographical or municipal boundaries (save for the Tsu Tiina nation). With nothing to stop the outward expansion, it's pretty obvious why it exists in its current form. With all that in mind, the density downtown is quite remarkable, and is probably ahead of where the GVR was at 1.25 million people. As commutes become longer and property taxes increase (due to the ever increasing demand for new infrastructure as well as maintaining eisting stock), the number of people living downtown will only increase. The city will probably sprawl until there is no growth driving it, but the inner city will become denser and denser as well.

Vancouver is in a valley with water and mountains bordering it, as well as many municipalities bordering it, there is no room left to expand the city, and thus it has begun building vertically. How is this even a fair comparison? Where was the city when the West End started? I imagine there was little to no room left then as well. Don't get me wrong, I love Vancouver, but would not be willing to take a pay cut to pay more to live there, no matter how little snow it gets or how green it is.

ZeDgE · #**1016** Posted: **May 17, 2012, 4:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Calgary in the 1940's

Calagry by Kingsdude/Dave, on Flickr

Wow.. thats crazy.

Wonder if there is a shot more recent from the same angle.

Andrewjm3D · #**1017** Posted: **May 17, 2012, 5:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Awesome! That almost looks like a Toronto aerial!

to2005 by kitsch:in:sync http://www.flickr.com/photos/f8/5597.../faves-sookie/

It actually looks more like North York from that angle.

Andrewjm3D · #**1018** Posted: **May 17, 2012, 5:29 AM**

Toronto 1960

Andrewjm3D · #**1019** Posted: **May 17, 2012, 5:32 AM**

2008 Google

kw5150 · #**1020** Posted: **May 17, 2012, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrewjm3D

It actually looks more like North York from that angle.

No way. Not even close. A skinny row of buildings 3 blocks wide. Downtown Calgary and the beltline are both around 8 blocks wide. Plus commercial buidlings are much taller than apartments and condos.

By kw5150 at 2012-05-16