+15

The Plus 15 or +15 Skyway network in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is the world's most extensive pedestrian skywalk system with a total length of km to mi|16 and 59 bridges. [ [http://www.downtowncalgary.com/business/dynamic.php?pageId=22 Downtown Calgary] - Facts and statistics] The system is so named because the skywalks are approximately 15 feet (approximately 5 metres) above street level. (Some Plus 15 skywalks are dual-level, with higher levels being referred to as +30's and +45's.)

History

The system was conceived and designed by architect Harold Hanen, who worked for the Calgary Planning Department from 1966 to 1969. This development earned him the 1970 Vincent Massey Award for Merit in Urban Planning .

Opening in 1970, the +15 network has expanded to include 59 enclosed bridges connecting dozens of downtown Calgary buildings. The central core of the system is a series of enclosed shopping centres, and the city's flagship department stores.

New developments were required to connect to the walkway system; in exchange for this, they were offered more floorspace (the "bonus density"). When not physically able to connect to nearby buildings, developers contribute to the "Plus 15 Fund", managed by the city, used to finance other missing connections. [ [http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Living/Recreation+and+Leisure/Activities/Walking/Plus+15.htm City of Calgary - Plus 15 System] ]

Controversy

Although there are currently no plans to remove bridges or to discontinue building new ones, the system has received some criticism in recent years. The system has been blamed for the decline in street life in the Downtown Commercial Core."+15 User Survey", a City of Calgary study published in 1998] Street life is instead concentrated on streets (such as Stephen Avenue) or in neighbourhoods where there are no bridges (such as Eau Claire and the Beltline). However, similar cities without +15 systems do not necessarily experience heightened downtown street life. It is debatable how much of a cultural 'improvement' a lack of +15 network would provide for a city like Calgary, especially compared to the significant increase in personal crime that would likely occur if pedestrians did not have access to the comparatively safe and secure indoor network.Fact|date=August 2008 Furthermore, those perceived benefits may not outweigh the numerous positives that a +15 system provides for the city in winter.

Additionally, there is a small homeless contingent that inhabit the +15 network. One notable person is simply referred to as "+15 Guy". Calgary radio station Vibe 98.5 held a contest to send +15 guy to a concert. This was done in conjunction with an online Facebook group. (Ref. coming soon).

Future of the +15 system

In recent years, the city has begun to examine and evaluate the system. Part of the goal of these studies was to find ways of addressing the problem of decreased daytime street life on some downtown streets. The possibility of limiting expansion has been raised to encourage more pedestrian street traffic. The +15 system bridges are integral with the buildings they serve. They are also a design requirement for new buildings according to city planning bylaws. This may change in the future, however, if the city begins to consider relaxing these bylaws. Presently, however, businesses and general public make extensive use of the +15 system -- a system that has served to enhance the flow of human traffic. The +15 system has and will likely continue to provide both economic and climatic benefits now and in the future.

The +15 in popular culture

The Plus 15 is one of the central plot elements in the 2000 Gary Burns film "waydowntown" .

List of buildings connected

*333 5th Ave
*444 7th Ave
*505 3rd St
*606 4th Ave
*635 8th Ave
*715 5th Ave
*736 6th Ave
*840 7th Ave
*AGT
*Alberta Energy Utilities Board
*Altius Centre
*Andrew Davison Building
*Aquitaine Tower
*Atrium I
*Atrium II
*Bank of Canada
*Bankers Hall
*Banker's Hall Parkade
*Bantrel Tower
*Bow Parkade
*Bow Valley College
*Bow Valley Square
*BP Centre
*Calgary Board of Education
*Eaton Centre
*Calgary House
*Calgary Marriot Hotel
*Calgary Place
*Calgary Tower
*Calgary Public Library, "W.R. Castell" branch
*Canada Place
*Canada Trust Tower
*Canadian Fina Building
*Canterra
*Carter House
*Centennial Parkade
*Centre Four
*Century Park Place
*Chamber of Commerce
*Chevron Plaza
*City Centre Parkade
*City Hall
*City TV (A-Channel) Building
*Convention Centre North
*Convention Centre South
*Daon Building
*Delta Bow Valley Inn
*Devonian Gardens
*Dome Tower
*Dominion Centre
*Eau Claire Place II
*Elveden Centre
*Emerson Centre
*Encana Place
*Encor Place
*Energy Plaza
*Epcore Centre
*Ernst and Young Tower
*Fairmont Palliser Hotel
*Fifth and Fifth
*Fifth Avenue Place
*First Alberta Place
*First Canadian Centre
*Fourth and Fourth
*Fracmaster Tower
*Glenbow Museum
*Gulf Canada Square
*Hanover Place
*Harry Hayes Government of Canada
*Hawthorn Hotel and Suites
*Hollinsworth Building
*Home Oil Tower
*Hyatt Regency Hotel
*International Hotel
*Iveagh House
*J.J. Bowen Building
*Jamieson Place (under construction)
*Lancaster Building
*Life Plaza
*Livingston Place
*London House
*Mobil Tower
*Monenco Place
*Municipal Building
*Nexen Building
*Northland Place
*Nothland Building
*Palliser Square
*Panarctic Centre
*Penny Lane
*Pertogen Building
*Pertoleum Building
*Petex Building
*Petro-Canada Centre
*Place 800
*Police Headquarters
*Provincial Court
*Ramada Hotel
*Rocky Mountain Court
*Rocky Mountain Plaza
*Roslin Building
*Royal Bank
*Sandman Inn
*Sanjel Building
*Scotia Bank Tower
*Scotia Centre
*Sears
*Selkirk House
*Shell Centre
*Sheraton Suites
*St. Regis Hotel
*Standard Life
*Stock Exchange Tower
*Sunlife Plaza
*TD Square
*The Bay
*TransCanada Tower
*Trimac House
*Watermark Tower
*Western Canadian Place
*Western Union
*Westin Hotel
*Workers Compensation Board Office
*Y.W.C.A.

When completed, The Bow, an office complex under construction, will also link to the Plus-15 system.

References

4. Building List from [http://plus15.ca/]

External links

* [http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/BU/engineering_services/emaps/plus_15_network_map.pdf Plus 15 system map] (Pdf)