The salient problem with trying to revitalize downtown Winnipeg, is that it is so large. At roughly three squared kilometers, Winnipeg’s downtown is similar in size to Philadelphia and San Francisco who both boast metropolitan populations of over five million. In comparison, there are roughly 13,000 people that live downtown Winnipeg, which is less than 2 percent of the metropolitan population. Such a large area with so few people contributes to perceptions of crime, and has left many buildings underused and prone to decay.
There are attempts being made to bring people back downtown to live. Unfortunately, these attempts fail to provide a range of housing options and prices. Most of the downtown residential units that have been completed are priced over the $200,000 dollar mark, which is out of reach to the average Winnipegger. Some feel that housing is the key to filling the gaps that still exist between previous revitalization efforts. Jane Jacobs (1961) writes that to generate exuberant diversity in the city’s streets and districts, “there must be a sufficiently dense concentration of people, for whatever purposes they may be there. This includes dense concentration in the case of people who are there because of residence” (p.151). To take Jacob’s theories further, housing in downtown Winnipeg would act as a primary use or something that draws people downtown at all times during the day. Having people around all day causes secondary diversity or things that locate themselves around the primary use because it is always bringing people to the area. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.
The current Heart of Gold Plan to revitalize several key areas of Winnipeg’s downtown fails to completely address the housing issue. Instead, focus is given to security, parking and public destinations. The Heart of Gold plan is innovative but cannot compete against the other proposals when attempting to entice people to live downtown. Winnipeg currently has several new subdivisions in the works, including a new proposal for the Charleswood area, all of which are on the periphery of the city. How can a downtown plan that neglects to make housing the number one priority compete against the suburban majority? There is hope however.
Other North American cities have been successful in revitalizing their downtown areas by focusing on housing. Philadelphia is one of many cities that have reversed the pull to the periphery, creating or refurbishing almost two thousand dwellings downtown since 1997. This recent housing boom was assisted in part by a government created 10-year tax abatement program that allows a ten-year reprieve on the development or improvement of housing. The program could save residents thousands over the ten year period and has aided in keeping money in the downtown area. The program has worked so well that it has helped act as a catalyst for other initiatives. Since there are people living downtown, focus is now being put into revitalizing blighted commercial corridors, reclaiming the centres of urban life and providing downtown residents with better places to go. Philadelphia is living proof that revitalization through housing can work.
Winnipeg could take a lesson or two from these successes. If revitalization is to occur, housing should be given more priority in downtown Winnipeg. Incentives such as those offered in Philadelphia could make housing more competitive when compared to suburban options in Winnipeg. Downtown housing can build on the foundations already established by previous revitalization attempts, filling in the gaps that still persist throughout the downtown fabric. Winnipeg deserves a vibrant, livable downtown where people want to be. Making downtown a neighbourhood with actual inhabitants will give downtown a voice and make Winnipeg a better place for everyone.
By Andrei Friesen
Sources:
Commercial Corridors Plan. Retrieved March 7, 2008 from:
http://www.lisc.org/philadelphia/infill/infill_corridors.pdf
Heart of Gold Plan. Retrieved February 26, 2008 from: http://www.centreventure.com/PDF/Heart%20of%20Gold%20Plan%20Executive%20Summary.pdf
Jacobs, J. 1961. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Vantage Books.
Kives, B. Welsh, M, A. (2006, May 3-4). Winnipeg City Summit Handout. Winnipeg
Free Press.
Philadelphia Tax Abatement Program. Retrieved March 8, 2008 from: http://www.phillyimc.org/en/node/45119
Planning, Property and Development. Secondary Plans. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from: http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning/Secondary_Plans/What_is_SecondaryPlan/SecondaryPlanMap(2005).pdf
Photo Sources
Winnipeg. Retrieved March 19, 2008 from:http://www.oc.edu/academics/arts_sciences/music/images/winnipeg.jpg
Philadelphia. Retrieved March 19, 2008 from: http://www.websiteevolution.org/2006/images/philadelphia.jpg
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