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The Sudbury Downtown Master Plan articulates a vision for revitalizing the core of Sudbury, Canada. It proposes a series of initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, cultural development, and retail expansion, thereby enhancing its identity and pledging its position as the central hub for the surrounding region. The Sudbury Downtown masterplan was started in 2010 to improve the downtown of Greater Sudbury. The Downtown Master Plan was completed in four phases. Phase 1 was initiated in September 2010 and Phase 4 concluded in February 2012.

Sudbury’s Urban Renaissance

Overview

Sudbury is known for its mining history and distinctive geography, is undergoing a significant urban renewal. The Downtown Sudbury Master Plan, initiated in 2012, aims to transform the city into a vibrant "City of Lakes", focusing on urban development that includes cultural, social, and ecological projects.

History and Development

Sudbury's transformation is rooted in its mining past, with the city looking to shift its narrative from a mining powerhouse to a cultural and ecological hub. The master plan addresses the balance between preserving historical sites, like the Ledo Hotel, and the construction of new urban spaces to enhance community engagement and ecological sustainability. While Sudbury station located in downtown on Elgin Street was designated a heritage railway station of Canada; the Ledo Hotel has been demolished as of 2024.

Key Projects

Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square

A central library and Art Gallery of Sudbury are planned to serve as cultural epicenters. Despite challenges in architectural design, the aim is to create a vibrant public space that reflects Sudbury's cultural ambitions. This addition compliments other downtown projects like the Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture and Place des Art.

Elgin Greenway Project

This project focuses on creating a green corridor to connect downtown Sudbury with surrounding natural spaces, emphasizing the integration of urban development with the city's ecological landscape.

Superstack Transformation

The repurposing of the Inco Superstack, once the world's tallest smokestack, into an observation tower is highlighted as a creative approach to preserving industrial landmarks while enhancing the city's narrative.

Challenges and Considerations

The plan faces challenges, such as the dilemma of immediate needs versus long-term vision, particularly in the context of urban development and parking solutions. There's a focus on balancing historical preservation with new infrastructure to support cultural and ecological integration.

Future Directions

The revitalization of Sudbury is seen as a nuanced ongoing process that involves understanding historical context, fostering thoughtful development, and envisioning a future where urban spaces are narratively rich and engaging. The approach emphasizes sustainability, community engagement, and the preservation of Sudbury's unique identity as a resource town or city of lakes. This is also moved forward by the city's regreening initiative since the moonscape of its land.

References

1. "The Downtown Sudbury Master Plan". Greater Sudbury. 2024-02-03. Archived from the original on 13 Mar 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
2. "Downtown Sudbury: a plan for the future going downtown growing downtown". Greater Sudbury. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
3. Beya, Christiane (2020-11-19). "The Sudbury 2050 Urban Design Competition finalists announced". Canadian Architect. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
4. "Regreening the Moonscape: Greater Sudbury's remarkable ecosystem restoration". The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
5. "Regreening Program". Greater Sudbury. 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-02-03.

• History of Greater Sudbury