BANFF DOWNTOWN ENHANCEMENT

Banff: A National Treasure in Need of Renewal

Banff, Canada’s iconic basecamp for its first National Park, welcomes over four million annual visitors and is home to nearly 10,000 residents. By 1990, however, the town faced an identity crisis. Overwhelmed infrastructure and unchecked commercialism tarnished its charm, leaving residents embarrassed to show off their downtown and prompting environmentalists to ask, “Is this a National Park?”

The Banff Downtown Enhancement Project

Led by Doug Leighton, Banff’s founding planning director, the Banff Downtown Enhancement project—later rebranded as Banff Refreshing—sought to revitalize the town. A community-driven “co-design” process engaged residents, businesses, and schoolchildren, shaping a vision for a vibrant, park-aligned downtown.

A Visionary Plan Through International Collaboration

Doug organized an international design “co-opetition,” which brought together top design firms from around the world. The winning team—Design Workshop and Landplan/IBI Group—proposed a visionary plan that transformed Banff Avenue and its surrounding areas. This transformative proposal featured:

• Wider Sidewalks to prioritize pedestrians.

• Native Landscaping to echo the park’s natural beauty.

• Custom Furnishings and Paving for a cohesive aesthetic.

• Improved Wayfinding to guide visitors.

• Expanded Public Spaces, including upgrades to Central Park, Bear Street, and the historic train station.

A Lasting Legacy

Over two decades, the award-winning Banff Refreshing project restored the town’s reputation, creating a pedestrian-friendly, aesthetically stunning downtown that harmonizes with its natural surroundings—an international destination worthy of its National Park setting.