Design + Planning Quality Considered Through the Lens of Community Feedback: A Critical Examination of Calgary LRT Stations

Abstract

[EN] Calgary’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) system stands as a vital component of the city’s transportation infrastructure, connecting various neighborhoods and facilitating urban mobility. However, ensuring that LRT stations meet the evolving needs and preferences of the community requires continuous assessment and improvement, especially in light of emergent challenges and mounting problems.In this study, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of the design and planning quality of Calgary’s LRT stations, leveraging insights gathered from community feedback channels, including social media platforms, websites, and comments within news reports. The research methodology involves systematically collecting and analyzing comments, opinions, and critiques shared by residents, commuters, and other stakeholders regarding their experiences with LRT stations across Calgary. The research considers the full light rail network, while concurrently focusing more in-depth on two cases (one outdoor and one indoor station). Through sentiment analysis and thematic coding, we categorize and interpret the diverse range of community feedback to identify recurring patterns, concerns, and suggestions related to station design, accessibility, amenities, safety, and overall user experience.The potential outcomes of this research hold significant practical implications for researchers, architects, planners and politicians alike. For researchers, the findings offer valuable insights into the public's perceptions and preferences regarding LRT station design, aiding in the formulation of evidence-based recommendations for future infrastructure projects. Architects can use this information to refine their designs, ensuring that LRT stations are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and responsive to community needs (including the import of perceptions and the value of lived experience). Planners and politicians, on the other hand, can utilize the insights to inform policy decisions, shape the regulatory milieu, and prioritize improvements that enhance the overall quality, accessibility and functionality of Calgary's LRT system, thereby fostering sustainable urban development while improving the commuting experience for residents and visitors alike.