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Reimagining Streets:
Exploring how temporary street interventions (e.g., street pilot projects) aimed at improving pedestrian experiences are implemented across seven Canadian cities.
Project Overview
INSTITUTION
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture, Department of City Planning
DATE
September 2023 to April 2024
DELIVERABLES
Capstone report, public presentation, informative poster
COMMITTEE
Internal Advisor: Richard Milgrom (University of Manitoba)
External Advisor: Karin Kliewer (City of Winnipeg)
Instructor: Orly Linovski (University of Manitoba)
PROJECT BRIEF
This is a capstone project: a major research report completed within one year as a requirement to fulfill a Master of City Planning degree, similar to a thesis (more details here).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
What types of temporary street interventions have Canadian cities implemented to improve the pedestrian experience?
How are the implementations of these interventions supported?
What are the differences between how these interventions are evaluated in relation to their objectives?
What are the key lessons learned from the implementation of these interventions?
RELEVANT AUDIENCES
Municipalities or agencies looking to initiate any street pilot projects or temporary street closure events
What are temporary street interventions?
Temporary street interventions are flexible, short-term modifications to streets, which allows them to be implemented quickly. Turning a street to a pedestrian-only zone for three weeks would be an example.
Project Context
BACKGROUND
For the past century, streets have evolved into corridors for automobile travel rather than a public space for people to walk and socialize. Temporary street interventions have historically contributed to the development of cities, which initially began as a grassroots initiative. Today, there is potential to reimagine streets as welcoming spaces for pedestrians using temporary street interventions to pilot creative solutions.
PROJECT SCOPE
This research adopted a case study approach to explore how temporary street interventions have been implemented across seven Canadian cases to improve pedestrian experiences. It focused on temporary street conversions, street closures, and neighbourhood installations, identifying the key lessons that can inform similar initiatives in other municipalities.
Research Methods
14
interviews conducted
38
policy documents analyzed
150+
online sources reviewed
Selected Cases
Seven projects specifically initiated by Canadian municipalities were chosen for the case study.
800 ROBSON PLAZA
Vancouver, BC
BERNARD AVENUE ROAD CLOSURE
Kelowna, BC
PANORAMA HILLS NEIGHBOURHOOD STREETS
Calgary, AB
VICTORIA PROMENADE PILOT
Edmonton, AB
KING STREET OPEN STREETS TEMPORARY LINEAR PARK
Hamilton, ON
WILLIAM STREET PILOT
Ottawa, ON
ARGYLE SHARED STREETSCAPE PILOT
Halifax, NS
Project Impacts
The topics explored in this capstone directly relate to two major initiatives from the City of Winnipeg:
My external advisor, Karin Kliewer, is the Project Lead for both. CentrePlan 2050 provides a long-term framework for investment and development in Downtown Winnipeg, and one of its strategies is Re-imagining Graham Avenue. As bus routes move off Graham Avenue in June 2025, it provides an opportunity to rethink how the street can be used through temporary street interventions.
In July 2024, City Council approved funding for a pilot project that will bring programs and activities to Graham Avenue during the summer of 2025. This pilot will help shape Graham Avenue's detailed design, inform construction drawings, and support the development of a long-term street animation strategy.
The following discussions explored in this capstone correspond with the policies and goals of CentrePlan 2050 and the Graham Avenue pilot project:
EVALUATION METHODS
SUPPORTIVE POLICIES
PROJECT CHALLENGES
KEY
LESSONS
Final Report
Jennifer Yong - Capstone Report.pdfGoogle Sites
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