U of C major problem it is poorly integrated in almost all ways to the surrounding city. It is single-handily the biggest wasted opportunity for creating an interesting urban environment that this city has. Thanks to a poorly-oriented, inward looking layout, we waste a huge source of vibrancy, youth and culture in the city. The buildings are nice enough, but all the nice buildings and quads in the world won't solve U of Cs main problem.
The campus is surrounded on all sides by 1970s style expressways or over-built boulevards, while every entrance is surrounded by large, unattractive parking lots. Most nearby land is locked into large single-family housing (University Heights), a car-oriented research park, or other university-owned land reserves; all but guaranteeing a large share of the student body will commute by car, even if they live relatively nearby. There is simply too far of a distance to travel in most directions to where people studying or working at U of C might live.
Instead of placing its student residents near the LRT, residences are located at the back of the site, in the least-transit oriented spot possible, a full 15 minutes walk to the LRT. The LRT station and pathway to it were clearly ignorant that it is the most used entrance to the campus. It's narrow, noisy from Crowchild, and reminds you that the university really doesn't take transit or urban integration seriously.
This also situates the 3,000-person student population (about the population of Sunnyside) as far as possible from any local services, bars or restaurants. Again, wasting significant vibrancy benefits of a youthful population that may want to go elsewhere in the city.
Charleswood / Banff Trail fair a bit better with many houses converted for student life, however they again fail to provide any services: too low density matched with single-use residential zoning. Brentwood TOD is really beginning to change the area, however it can only do so much as a freeway-adjacent tower development. If you are looking for an example of how to waste a major activity centre's urban potential U of C is it.
I am aware that starting from scratch things problem would be different. I am also aware that the City also has played a strong role in preventing the University from developing into something better connected and part of life here. However, all built-form evidence suggests that the University never really cared about being part of the city; just a tiny kingdom of car-oriented, provincial power blissfully self-satisfied in its own planning decisions to the detriment of student culture, youth and the city overall.
I do have hope it is changing though. Brentwood, the NCBRT, the University District (although repeats many of the same problems by being a weird, isolated district), and general infill are all helping. Perhaps we can cut out a lane or two of the overbuilt 24th or 32nd Avenues to add a high-quality, ultra wide promenade/bicycle path to help mend the lack of connectivity all around.
Apologies for the rant, it is just frustrating to see every other major city in Canada have a strong youth culture that drives, arts, tourism, and urban life that eminates from well designed institutions while our universities offer some... but much less. It's a big missing piece of Calgary's vibrancy puzzle. /endrant
