Calgary versus Buffalo
"Strange looks appeared on people’s faces when I told them, 'We are going to Buffalo!' While many have the impression of Buffalo as a city in decline, I had read good things about the new Buffalo and wanted to check it out."
Another "Buffalo - really?" article, this time from Calgary, Alberta, in western Canada. This one is a bit different, however.
In White: Calgary versus Buffalo, by Richard White in The Calgary Herald on April 29, 2016, White does a point-by-point comparison of five key aspects of these very different cities - Buffalo on the rise following a steep decline, and Calgary struggling with a rapidly changing economy. The precipitous decline in the price of oil is presenting serious challenges to this oil capital of Canada, much as manufacturing's migration to the southern hemisphere hammered Buffalo's economy.
White compares Urban Design (Buffalo wins, hands down), the Arts (another Buffalo win), Shopping (Calgary takes this one), Urban Renewal (a tie), and most interestingly, Beer-Oriented Revival, which showcases Community Beer Works and Resurgence.
There are some very interesting parallels between these two cities on opposite ends of the continent. For instance, Calgary also has a Peace Bridge, designed by the renowned Santiago Calatrava. The article is a very interesting read for the residents and planners of both cities, and there really are some lessons to be learned by both municipalities.
"Today, Calgary struggles with some of the same challenges that faced Buffalo 60 years ago with major economic changes wrecking havoc on our prosperity. Calgary will need to foster a passion for change and not hold onto the past if we are going to reinvent ourselves."
"Do not hold onto the past?" I'm not certain that White actually learned the lessons that Buffalo offers. Two suggestions for Calgary, based on Buffalo's experience:
-- Proactively work on ways to mitigate the impact of inevitable economic changes by diversifying and innovating, rather than ignoring them. Study the reasons for the changes and devise ways to leverage them, rather than be victim to them.
-- Identify Calgary's unique natural and built qualities and take steps to make certain that they are preserved and maintained, rather than neglected and lost, during the hard times. The brightest future is built upon a strong past.
Editor's Note: this article was written and published before the devastating fires in Alberta. This immense natural disaster actually puts this article in a whole new light. We welcome all from Calgary who have been affected to consider coming to Buffalo for a visit and respite from the smoke and chaos. Perhaps some will consider moving here!
