+15 facts for kids
The Plus 15 or +15 Skyway network in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a huge system of walkways high above the streets. It's one of the biggest pedestrian skywalk systems in the world!
This network is about 18 kilometres (11 miles) long and has 62 bridges. It's called "+15" because the walkways are about 15 feet (around 4.5 metres) above the ground. Some parts even have higher levels, sometimes called +30s or +45s. These walkways let people move around downtown Calgary easily, especially during cold winters or hot summers.
How the Plus 15 Network Started
The idea for the Plus 15 system came from an architect named Harold Hanen. He worked for the Calgary Planning Department from 1966 to 1969. His design was so good that he won an award in 1970 for his urban planning work.
The first Plus 15 walkway opened in 1970. Since then, the network has grown a lot. It now includes 59 enclosed bridges that connect many buildings in downtown Calgary. The main part of the system links shopping centres and big department stores.
To help the network grow, new buildings were often asked to connect to the walkways. In return, these buildings could have more floorspace. If a building couldn't connect, its developers would contribute money to the "Plus 15 Fund." This fund helps pay for other missing connections in the system.
How the Plus 15 Network Affects the City
The Plus 15 system has changed how people use the streets in downtown Calgary. Because many people use the elevated walkways, there's sometimes less activity on the streets below. Street life tends to be more lively on specific streets, like Stephen Avenue, or in areas without bridges, such as Eau Claire and the Beltline.
Around 1998, the city started looking at the system again. They wanted to find ways to bring more people back to the downtown streets during the day. One idea was to limit how much the Plus 15 network expanded. This would encourage more people to walk on the ground level.
Today, the bridges are a key part of the buildings they connect. City rules even offer tax credits to building owners who link new buildings to the system. Businesses and the public use the Plus 15 network a lot. It helps people move around easily, which is good for downtown businesses.
Images for kids
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The former three-level skywalk at The Core Shopping Centre.
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A previous skywalk over the C-Train tracks, linking the Holt Renfrew store to the 4th Street Southwest LRT station.
