Canada’s Downtowns: A Discussion Brief

While many of the pandemic-related changes and challenges in our Downtowns will gradually be reversed when public health conditions allow, some could be more durable—even permanent. This poses a threat, but also presents an opportunity. It opens up a range of possibilities for our future downtowns, such as to offer a greater diversity of commercial, residential, civic and cultural uses, or to become more complete and inclusive neighbourhoods. In other words, the question is: can Canada’s downtowns be restored to be better than they were before COVID? Other questions the Discussion Brief raises include:

• What are the essential features of downtowns that must be restored in post-pandemic recovery over a shorter horizon?

• What are the most urgent or promising opportunities for reimagining downtowns over a longer horizon?

• How can the diverse mix of downtown stakeholders work together to build better, more inclusive downtowns post-COVID?

The Canadian Urban Institute and its partners across the country invite you to join the conversation about how to Restore the Core, starting with the What's in Store for the Cores: The Future of Canadian Downtowns and Central Business Districts on March 4th.