Urban Design

The Urban Design team strives to reinforce Saskatoon's unique identity to build a city that is healthy, inclusive and distinct.

Locations

The Urban Design unit works primarily within four Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Saskatoon: Downtown, Riversdale, Broadway, and Sutherland. If other community groups are considering forming a BID, Planning & Development can provide background information and research to help initiate that process.

Urban Design also leads a range of work which includes major streetscape projects and public realm enhancements.

Streetscape Projects

Streetscape projects are complex and require collaboration across multiple City departments. They transform public spaces in key commercial districts by reflecting Saskatoon’s unique identity in ways that are accessible to everyone.

Improvements may include traffic calming measures, sidewalk upgrades, street trees, pedestrian lighting, street furniture, space for public art, and other special features.

Current Projects

20th St E (Downtown)

The project includes the design and construction of enhanced streetscaping along 20th Street, with a focus on improving pedestrian connections between Downtown, Riversdale, and River Landing. The goal is to make 20th Street a pedestrian-priority street, as identified in the City Centre Plan.

Planned improvements include a planting and furnishing zone with trees and seating in key locations. The project also includes stormwater features to help capture runoff, structural soil cells to support tree growth, narrower lanes to shorten pedestrian crossings, and additional pedestrian lighting to improve the overall public space.

Urban Design is coordinating this streetscape work with Asset Preservation to support a cost-effective approach to design and construction. Asset Preservation’s work includes roadway and sidewalk resurfacing. Additional funding is being provided through the Natural Infrastructure Fund.

Ave B, D, and 21st W (Riversdale)

This project includes the design and construction of streetscape improvements focused on enhancing the pedestrian experience, exploring on-street parking options, and incorporating green infrastructure. The project area includes Avenue B, Avenue D between 20th Street West and 22nd Street West, and 21st Street West between Idylwyld Drive and Avenue D.

Urban Design is coordinating this streetscape work with Asset Preservation to support a cost-effective approach to design and construction. Asset Preservation’s work in Riversdale includes infrastructure replacement, roadway resurfacing, and sidewalk resurfacing throughout the area in 2026 and 2027. For more information about Asset Preservation’s project, visit the City’s website.

Central Avenue Entry Feature (Sutherland)

This project will design and construct a gateway feature to welcome visitors and help establish the Sutherland BID identity. The feature was identified in the 2009 Central Avenue Master Plan and is proposed for the southeast corner of 108th Street and Central Avenue.

The gateway feature will include illuminated signage, planters, decorative banner poles, and street lighting.

Past Projects

14th St Parklet (City Wide)

The 14th Street Parklet project transformed the triangular traffic island at the intersection of Temperance Street, Lansdowne Avenue, and 14th Street East into a safer and more welcoming public space.

Before the project, the island included mature lilac shrubs, older benches, and seasonal flower pots. With 14th Street East identified as a bike route in the City of Saskatoon’s Active Transportation Plan, changes were made to reduce conflicts between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians at the intersection. The roadway was narrowed, and corner bulges were added to improve pedestrian safety.

Landscape and public realm upgrades included a concrete walkway, pedestrian lighting, trees and shrubs with wood fibre mulch, feature boulders, and benches. Because the area is one of the oldest in Saskatoon, the project also included a heritage component. Streetcar rails uncovered on Temperance Street and cobblestones removed from the area were reused on site. An interpretive panel was installed to share the history of these heritage elements.

Before

After

20th Street West Streetscape Improvements (Riversdale)

This streetscape improvement project enhanced the Riversdale Business Improvement District, in keeping with the City’s 20th Street Streetscape Master Plan.

Improvements included corner bulb outs for pedestrian safety, an amenity strip with unit pavers, street trees, new street furniture, and distinctive artistic features. The project was substantially completed in 2014.

Before		After
Before		After

Central Ave Streetscape Improvements (Sutherland)

This streetscape improvement project enhanced the Sutherland Business Improvement District, as recommended in the Central Avenue Master Plan.

Improvements included corner bulb outs to improve pedestrian safety, a paved amenity strip, street trees, new street furniture, and public art. The project was substantially completed in 2014.

 

Public Realm Programs & Projects

Facade Conservation & Enhancement Grant Program

The City of Saskatoon encourages the conservation and enhancement of commercial building facades by providing grant funding to property owners and businesses located in established commercial areas to cover a portion of the eligible costs of facade improvement and/or conservation work.

Please visit the Facade Conservation & Enhancement Program website for detailed information.

Opportunity Response Program

The Opportunity Response (OR) program is designed to fund projects that help create unique spaces or benefits for the public realm. The OR program operates in the Downtown, Riversdale, Broadway, and Sutherland BID's and can fund up to 50% of the project costs to a maximum of $30,000 in partnership with BID's, businesses, and/or other organizations. Projects must contribute positively to the public realm and be publicly accessible. Applications are awarded funding on a first-come, first-served basis with limited program funding.

We recommend reaching out to Urban Design early in the project development process to confirm that the concept is in alignment with the program goals and to reserve funds.

• Projects that are eligible under the Facade Conservation & Enhancement Grant Program will not be eligible for Opportunity Response funding.
• Festivals and events will not be eligible at this time.
• Proposals for seasonal lighting that would coincide with SL&P seasonal decorations program need to be approved by SL&P.

Please contact  urbandesign@saskatoon.ca for more information.

Banner Program

The City of Saskatoon manages the Banner Program throughout Downtown, Riversdale, Broadway, Sutherland and other city-wide locations. The program adds colour and visual interest to our streets while promoting a variety of events, awareness campaigns, and other community-building efforts. If you are organizing a public cultural event such as an art festival, a sporting event, or an awareness campaign, street banners could be a way to get the word out. The City can install both pole mounted and cross street banners in specific locations for eligible events.

Please visit the Banner Program website for detailed information.

Flower Pot Program

Removable seasonal planters provide a portable landscape that provides instant colour in our public spaces. Planters are placed throughout the Downtown, Riversdale, Broadway and Sutherland Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and River Landing. Today, the City of Saskatoon Planning and Development Division partners with the Parks Division, Environmental & Corporate Initiatives Division, Saskatoon Transit and four BIDs to coordinate and implement the program between the end of May and mid-September, weather permitting. For more information please refer to the related documents.

Public Realm Maintenance Projects 

Maintenance projects are typically smaller and less complex than streetscape construction projects. They help rejuvenate public spaces through smaller improvements.

Work may include repairing or replacing street furniture or unit pavers, installing new street furniture, and adding unique or creative elements to the space.

Questions? Contact us at  UrbanDesign@Saskatoon.ca