U of R students showcase proposals for Scarth Street renewal

University of Regina students are getting the chance to show off what they’ve learned in the classroom.

On Thursday, undergrads taking urban planning classes with the school’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies showcased their proposals for the revitalization of Regina’s Scarth Street Mall at a public event at the U of R.

Plans to renew the mall were first announced by the City of Regina back in December.

“When it was announced that the Scarth Street mall would be undergoing a renewal, I wanted to try to figure out a way that our students could apply some of the ideas and theories and practices that they were learning in the classroom to a real-world example,” said associate professor Vanessa Matthews.

“So this gives them an opportunity to kind of take what we’re learning in the classroom and to be able to apply some of those ideas in a way for a project that is very much ongoing and is of interest to the public.”

The City of Regina indicated it might want to make Scarth Street more accessible for cars, but to the students, a constant focus for them was making sure the area stayed pedestrian-oriented.

“I personally think keeping it pedestrian-oriented would be a huge first step in that revitalization,” said fourth-year student Noah Richter.

“I think that along with the Vic Square, (it) has huge potential to be that centre block for expanding out and really letting people know that our downtown can be revitalized. It just takes prioritization and effort.”

Richter said he wants to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning and eventually become a city or regional manager.

“Looking back through our studies, there’s a huge emphasis on a sustainable future and really prioritizing active transport,” he said.

“Obviously Canada was kind of built on putting more cars on the road. So I think it’s time to realize that (we have to) see what’s not working and change it into a stage where everyone has an accessible way of transport.”

Another student, Farouk Omeiza, also believes the mall should be pedestrian-oriented. He wants to make the area completely exclusive to pedestrians.

“If we do that, it’s going to help people have a sense of safety in that area as well,” Omeiza said.

Omeiza envisions the mall as being a kind of centrepiece for Regina — one that would attract people who live here and those visiting the city.

Omeiza believes that having the location be exclusive to pedestrians will help foster a sense of community.

Jocelyn Adema, like many of her peers, wants the mall to be exclusive to pedestrians.

She also thinks it will help with safety. Her vision of the area includes vibrant colours and animation.

“I’m interested in creating some tactical urbanism strategies which are rapid low-cost strategies that are temporary and allow us to have a vision of the space before we have a permanent reconstruction of it,” Adema said.

“Putting in clusters of street furniture; regular intervals of public seating but also private patios; sites of plants, trees and shrubs that are edible (and) native to Saskatchewan; having a lot lighting to enhance and create a beautiful, welcoming, comforting but also safe space for people to enjoy.”

Second-year student Reeja Gillani also proposes that Scarth Street should be reserved for pedestrian use.

The reason is she doesn’t see as much activity downtown as there could be.

“When we look at major cities across the globe, the one thing that makes downtown downtown is that there’s people walking around and about, lots of public activity, lots of pedestrian activity, and that’s something the downtown area lacks,” Gillani said.

Gillani’s proposal included Scarth Street having seasonal themes.

“In spring and summer, my idea was to incorporate lots of flowers to bring out the vibrancy of the place, to have extended outdoor patio seatings and to include seasonal activities like food markets and farmer’s markets and food stands,” she said.

“And then in the winter, it could be transitioned into light sculptures, which could be commissioned by the art students at the U of R and include a temporary ice skating rink and have an enclosed patio as well.”