Prioritizing pedestrians while still meeting vehicular needs, we alleviated congestion along one of Banff’s busiest streets — enhancing year-round walkability, safety and visual interest.

The Bear Street Revitalization aimed to improve the tourism experience for millions of visitors exploring Canada’s most popular national par, creating a woonerf, or “living street.”

Once a throughway that put cars before community, Bear Street lacked the charm and foot-friendly design expected from a world-class mountain town. The challenge? Transform this vehicle-dominated passage into a pedestrian paradise without compromising multimodal transportation access.

Formal and informal traffic calming measures, such as a chicane, slow incoming traffic for streamlined pedestrian circulation. Ample seating and canopy-like tree coverage further elevate comfort, and soil cells along the streetscape manage stormwater to support longevity.

With reduced traffic, the space has been reclaimed as an open, flexible corridor for seasonal activities where people can linger, connect and take in the majestic mountain views.