sorting by uses

Calgary has done a great job of sorting the city into sections based on usage, including residential, commercial and industrial areas, just like the popular computer game SimCity. However, this means that people must drive to get to most destinations.

I was recently visiting a friend in Mackenzie Lake, and we went to the shopping centre located at 130th Avenue and Deerfoot Trail. Since this is the closest shopping centre for many Makenzie Lake residents, the centre seems to be continuously clogged with cars. The centre is also poorly designed with very few entrances and exits. It took us thirty minutes to move the three or four blocks back to 130th Avenue, which finally led us away from the congestion.

We can look to other areas within Calgary to solve this problem. For example, 17th Avenue along the Beltline District gets busy with car traffic, but there are potential exit points at every block leading in all directions. Also, people are able to park and walk to the shops and restaurants on this street, or even walk in from residential areas located close by. There are no residential units at the 130th Avenue shopping centre. My friend and I could have walked there, but it would have taken forty five minutes each way to do so from her place. Considering the amount of time spent sitting in stopped-up traffic, perhaps this would have been the more efficient way to go.