Generating demand for a downtown lifestyle in Saskatoon, a mid-size city

Abstract

De-centralization has depleted the vitality of mid-size city downtowns for years. Growing the downtown residential population will help achieve smart growth and strategic infill objectives. Demand for a downtown residential lifestyle can animate many facets of revitalization (e.g., economic, social, cultural, public space). Resident views on factors that they believe would grow the demand for living downtown is the focus of this article. A survey and focus groups were used to learn how to enhance Downtown Saskatoon as a place to live. Findings indicate a convenient lifestyle close to work, school, retail, services, and nightlife, and preferably housing within a couple of blocks of the river valley, make Downtown Saskatoon desirable. Concerns with safety, lack of food stores, and absence of a sense of shared purpose among residents, businesses, and institutions downtown are barriers. The residential context is potentially quite appealing downtown, and demand can be cultivated if downtown's efforts at revitalization are choreographed by a collaborative multi-sectoral network of actors with strong leadership.