Are You an
Urban Explorer?

They love city life, culture, socializing and style. And Calgary doesn’t always give them what they’re looking for.

For some Calgarians the city is a jungle, and to others it’s a playground. Some love their big homes and gardens – and others are allergic to the very idea of lawnmowers. Some relish the commute, others would rather stroll.

The so-called Urban Explorer tends toward the latter. ”Urban Explorer“ is the name given to a local breed, uncovered by research, who have city life in their blood. A study by global strategy consultants Roland Berger in the fall of 2008 showed that there are Urban Explorers of both genders, all ages and demographics in Calgary and there are more of them – some 300,000 – than you might think: what unites them is a delight in the urban experience, with all its pursuits, people and potential. Among other things, the Urban Explorer enjoys going out and taking in culture of all kinds, is eco-savvy and makes buying choices accordingly, is active, sporty, health-conscious and even a snappy dresser. Not only that, but the Urban Explorer accounts for a third of the population of Calgary – which means there are more than 300,000 of them roaming the streets – enough to fill the entire East Village, with thousands left over for the rest of Calgary’s Centre City.

The bad news is that this highly mobile and finicky group reports that it isn’t exactly ecstatic with the current state of urban life in Calgary, so they’re likely to up and leave if a job offer in a more interesting urban environment comes along. Which is why it’s key to realize the master plan for East Village, and to bring Centre City together into the most engaging downtown anywhere.

Join the conversation and tell us what you think about Calgary’s urban experience:

• What’s missing from Calgary’s urban experience?
• What’s your favourite Calgary neighbourhood? Why?
• What Makes a City Great? What's Your Favourite City?