The Urban Issue 2014
We tried to put the spotlight on things that we normally don’t, focusing on not only the amazing music and day-to-day news happening here, but also the film, theatre, fashion, dance, visual art, literature and photography Winnipeg has to offer. We also kept things pretty focused on campus life (even though some of you didn’t think we did) while expanding The Uniter’s reach to include everything happening downtown.
This issue in particular is something we do annually as our last of the school year - we take a look at what works and what doesn’t about Winnipeg - this year asking the questions “Where is Winnipeg? Where is it going?” There are so many interesting, funny, insightful and educated ideas here about the various neighbourhoods, our Downtown and the school from which we publish, that it’s sure to spark at least one heated debate over a couple of pink-flavoured vitamin waters.
-
Preventing urban sprawl
The title of this article – “Preventing urban sprawl” – is likely to provoke, in some readers, one of two reactions, the first driven by good old Winnipeg complacency and the second by antagonism:
What are you talking about? That’s impossible.
You can’t tell people where to live.
-
No Fun City
The JUNO Awards are taking over Winnipeg until March 30, and to see whether that’s good or bad The Uniter decided to get some firsthand perspectives.
-
‘Peg City proud
It’s not hard to see why many describe urban music, or hip hop, as the “sound of the pavement.” Not only does its vibe elicit the feeling of walking the street, but its lyrics and subject matter proudly reflect the city in which it was made.
-
The People in Your Neighbourhood
In any city, hip areas seem to lose some cool points as they become more popular, ushering in chain restaurants and big box stores.
-
What’s in a name?
Winnipeggers take great pride in their approximately 236 distinct neighbourhoods, each offering unique histories and characteristics that make them stand out, and give residents a sense of ownership and pride.
-
Breaking down barricades
Despite formerly running an urban-centric blog for six years, save a brief stint in West Broadway, the suburb has been my home for my entire life.
-
Developing Feelings about Downtown
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past 10 years, you’ve probably noticed that downtown Winnipeg has been working on boosting its ‘street cred’: 62 new developments have been built from 2010-2013, more than two billion dollars has been invested since 2005, and a million visits to the MTS Centre have been recorded annually, according to the Downtown Trends Report.
-
When you’re here, you’re family
By Burton’s moustache, I’m going to punch the next person that suggests this city sucks. Winnipeg doesn’t suck. You suck.
-
Thrive together
Three weeks ago, I felt I stood out like a sore thumb. My roommate Heather and I were the only delegates representing The University of Winnipeg at Unleash the Noise, a student-led mental health summit in Toronto.
-
Small town, big ideas
As the political sweepstakes begin to heat up in advance of the October municipal election, several candidates are now seen to be eyeing the mayoral job.
-
If we build it…
In the last few years, there has been blistering hot architectural prowess in Winnipeg.
-
-cmyk-web_200_200_90_c1.jpg)
A fair share
Winnipeg’s changing cityscape over the next couple of years will involve the conversion of certain areas of city land to reserve status. The creation of urban reserves, or Aboriginal economic zones, is a process fraught with difficulties due to many factors, but according to Southern Chief’s Organization Grand Chief Terry Nelson, establishing more of them is just a matter of time.
-
Uncontested? Unimpressed
This year a University of Winnipeg Student Association President has been elected without running against an opponent. Whether or not students chose to vote in the election, they don’t seem entirely satisfied with the current student government.
-
Disabling disability
It is a Sunday afternoon of what my memories tell me ought to feel like spring. My muscles twitch in anticipation of cycling amidst budding trees, warmed by the sun and cooled by the breeze.
-
Ecological urban infrastructure
About 25 years ago I attended an ecology conference in a city in the south of Spain, and it is funny that the thing I remember the most was a walk through a parking lot. This was the first time, and one of the only times, I felt something as intrusive as a parking lot could be part of an integrated urban ecosystem.
-
Winnipeg, you have a driving problem
How did our streets succumb to potholes? How did we get here?
-
Living in the city together
Where is Winnipeg?