ActivateYYC, a leading force in Calgary’s placemaking and tactical urbanism scene, has been honoured with a prestigious Mayor’s Urban Design Award (MUDA) for Community Initiatives. The MUDA awards celebrate the exceptional work of urban designers, architects, landscape architects, planners, and artists who elevate Calgary’s urban landscape. This award recognizes the program’s commitment to community engagement and its transformative ability to drive positive change through grassroots initiatives.
“This award isn’t as much about us, as it is about the hundreds of community volunteers and neighbourhood leaders who have visions for small, modest projects, that have enabled huge impacts and neighbourhood change,” says Adam Schwartz, Community Activator, “ActivateYYC is thrilled to be recognized for being a great platform and inspiration for such projects, and will continue on this mission for years to come.”
By empowering citizens to shape their neighborhoods, ActivateYYC has fostered a vibrant community of placemakers. Through microgrants and technical support, ActivateYYC has inspired numerous projects across Calgary neighbourhoods, from vibrant murals and painted pavement to pop-up parks and interactive installations.
ActivateYYC’s success lies in its collaborative approach, involving residents, businesses, and local organizations to tailor projects to specific community needs and aspirations. Some projects you might recognize are:
- Under the Rainbow: A vibrant mural that revitalized a once-neglected underpass in Sunnyside.
- Flyover Park: A pioneering initiative that transformed an underutilized space into a popular community gathering place.
- Dark and Dingy Underpass: A community-led effort to brighten and beautify a dark and dreary underpass in Ramsay.
- Shawnee Evergreen Community Association Chair Project: A project that brought together neighbors to create a welcoming park space through the installation of colorful Adirondack chairs.
- Paint the Pavement: A program that empowers schools to create vibrant and safe pedestrian crossings.
Beyond supporting community-led projects, ActivateYYC has also implemented its own placemaking initiatives, such as Placemaking Expos and the SweetLights project. To further strengthen the community of placemakers, ActivateYYC has launched a Placemaking Workshop, equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to implement their own low-cost public realm improvements.
ActivateYYC’s belief in the power of community has sparked a movement of creativity, innovation and positive change. As Calgary continues to evolve, ActivateYYC will continue to help us shape a vibrant, equitable and sustainable future.
