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Michael Zabinski, intern architect at DIALOG Edmonton, grew up in the city. Having experienced Edmonton's long and brutal winters firsthand, he knows how difficult navigating the city can be for all road users. Blistering cold and bursts of snowfall are generally not conducive to strong tourism, vibrant public spaces, and a healthy urban experience. After cultivating his interests in urban design by obtaining a Masters Degree in Architecture at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Zabinski returned to the city with a fresh perspective and a heightened vision for Edmonton's future, particularly how its notoriously cold and long winters could give way to a bustling atmosphere of community growth.
Zabinski's graduate thesis at Dalhousie sought to revitalize the Rossdale Power Plant in the river valley, turning the decommissioned facility into a vibrant space replete with boardwalks and Scandinavian-inspired thermal baths. The plan garnered attention from numerous media outlets and went on to receive recognition at the 2016 National Urban Design Awards. And Zabinski's smaller scale schemes, essentially acts of tactical urbanism, leaped off the page and made their way into the urban fabric. He once designed structures in Toronto and Winnipeg close to skating rinks that were constructed from winter scarves. Skaters would pick up and use a scarf as needed and then reattach them to the structure when finished. The interactive and pragmatic public art piece encouraged community engagement and outdoor recreation, two important facets of any civic attraction, including the Mechanized River Valley Access project Zabinski is currently working on at DIALOG. In a recent discussion with SkyriseEdmonton, Zabinski detailed his thoughts about Edmonton's intrinsic potential as a winter city.
SkyriseEdmonton: Edmonton's Winter Design Guidelines propose a series of urban interventions designed to minimize the impact of the cold while embracing the wintry weather that grips Edmonton for much of the year. What are your thoughts on the guidelines?
Michael Zabinski: I think the guidelines are a fantastic first step in Edmonton's journey to become a mature Winter City. Edmonton, Alberta, like many other northern cities, has a history of overprotecting its citizens from the climatic elements. Through constructs of climate control, like pedways and shopping malls, we have severed ourselves from outdoor life and fallen out of love with a season whose inherent beauty and unique attributes have the potential to play a pivotal role in the identity of the city. These guidelines, whether in the form of climate protection along streets, strategically scaled building massing, or interventions and initiatives that get people outside, attempt to repair that climatic disconnect and I couldn’t be more supportive of them.
SE: What other steps can be taken to make Edmonton a more enjoyable city in the winter?
MZ: The next step is to tap into the momentum created by initiatives like Deep Freeze on 118 and Silver Skate Festival that have seen fantastic grassroots design-builds to make winter more enjoyable. I'd really love to see a serious warming hut competition proposed for our park system.
SE: Illuminating the Rossdale Power Plant is part of the lighting strategy envisioned in the guidelines. Does this align with the vision you've produced for the site? Do more Edmonton landmarks need creative night lighting schemes?
MZ: Definitely. The first step in giving new life to a piece of important history is drawing attention to it. In a city where it is dark for a large proportion of the year, lighting can be a very effective way to do this. We do, however, have to be cautious that the lighting strategy does not trump the piece being lit. Subtle lighting can be far more effective in highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of a structure than the current trend in the city of blasting colour-changing LED's on everything. Neutral, soft movement if any, grazing areas in ways that trace cornices, reveal depth in the façade and just give it a bit of life.
SE: Edmonton seems to be a city in transition at the moment. Its car-centric suburban image is gradually being shed as new developments bring life back to the downtown core. What excites you most about Edmonton's future?
MZ: There’s a lot to love about the direction the city is headed. From the explosion of local businesses, to the densification of our downtown core, the city is undeniably in a state of evolution. If there is one thing about recent development in the city that has me most excited, however, it would have to be the shift in our attitude to the river valley. For a number of reasons, including topography, roadways, and climate, we have been severed from a place that makes our city special. The city's commitment to getting people down to the river and giving them something to do once they arrive is extremely refreshing. The Mechanized Access project, Touch the Water Promenade, Don Iveson's river walk, and the inevitable redevelopment of Rossdale all have the ability to be truly transformative.
SE: Are Edmontonians, and by association local politicians, generally receptive to change and intensification in their communities?
MZ: City councillors are not only receptive to this shift but have been instrumental in doing so. Ben Henderson was one of the people who helped shape the Winter City Guidelines and Scott McKeen has always been a leader in making sure Edmonton grows the right way. The recent infill competition, led by Scott and Bev Esslinger, is a great example of how intensification has become a part of our local conversation. All this said, we cannot deny the fact that Edmonton has a long way to go in becoming a healthy urban centre. The amount of surface parking lots is still shameful, the way we design our roads is still decades behind (as seen in the less-than-revolutionary Jasper Avenue re-imagining), and our architectural standards, especially in private sector development, are unacceptable. I am, however, extremely excited to be an integral part of the shift towards a better Edmonton.
Do you think Edmonton should use its assets as a winter city to promote itself to the world? What do you think Edmonton will look like in 20 years? Have your say by leaving a comment below or by getting involved in the discussion on our Forum, where you can find out how the city is growing.
