Revitalizing a Canadian icon.
The town of Banff is Canada’s most famous destination community, hosting over four million annual visitors. It is also ‘basecamp’ for Canada’s first National Park and home to almost 10,000 residents.
When incorporated in 1990, Banff was at the breaking point. Overloaded infrastructure and tacky commercialism had created a poor visitor experience. A poll of residents found that they were ashamed to show their guests the downtown. A postcard campaign by environmentalists rightly asked - ‘Is this a National Park”? A major rethink and makeover of Banff’s downtown was required.
Banff's founding planning director Doug Leighton initiated and led the Banff Downtown Enhancement project, later re-branded Banff Refreshing.
An initial ‘co-design’ process with school children, residents and businesses was followed by interim streetscape improvements and transit service. Doug then organized a successful international design ‘co-opetition’ won by Design Workshop and Landplan/IBI Group. This tripled the width of sidewalks along Banff Avenue and incorporated native planting, custom street furnishings, paving, directional signage and lighting. The winning plan also included improvements to Central Park, along Bear Street, and around Banff’s historic train station.
Winner of multiple design awards, the Downtown Enhancement plan has been implemented over the past twenty years and restored downtown Banff as a successful international visitor destination and vibrant community heart.
Awards include:
- Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) Award 1993
- American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) -1st Place, National Citation Award 1992
- American Society of Landscape Architects – Regional Merit Honor Award 1992
“The town of Banff, which is the gateway to Canada’s Rocky Mountain National Parks, is a community defined by its scenic landscape. Design Workshop prepared a townscape plan for Banff to enhance the tourist experience during all seasons.”