Program's controversy has raised the profile of placemaking. Yet how has Calgary fared in designing its public space?

Sitting in his home studio located just south of the city, Derek Besant chuckles when asked to score Calgary's efforts at developing its public spaces.

It's like asking an artist to judge his own work.

The local artist's work is familiar with many Calgarians, having designed the iconic six-metre tall balancing-chair display dubbed Homage that has sat outside Mount Royal University's student union building since the late 1980s, as well as the Enigma exhibit that once stood at the school's east entrance.

Between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. March 28, the City is encouraging residents to hit the lights for Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is a global initiative to raise awareness about how energy use contributes to climate change and how we can all take action to reduce impact.

Calgary Unplugged, a family-friendly lights out event being held at Olympic Plaza, starting at 7 p.m. will include free hot chocolate in compostable cups, games, an Earth Hour photo booth and an LED lantern parade. Event-goers will help power music and lights on bikes provided by Open Streets Calgary.

An information session is being held tonight for Providence, an area in the city's southwest where new communities are being planned.

Providence is located at the future intersection of the Southwest Ring Road and 146 Ave. S.W. The area encompasses 789-hectares of undeveloped agriculture land with plans for residential, retail and other employment uses.

Not all things are created equal

 The Latin phrase Ceteris peribus, or "all else being equal," is used extensively in economics to  guide relatively simple predictions – the price of a candy bar, for example.

Yet it's a virtually useless tool in predicting the path of an economy. All else is very rarely ever equal.

Hillard MacBeth's recent crystal-ball-smashing predictions the Canadian housing market will crash by as much as 50 per cent appears to hold several things equal, when in fact they are far from the same. In fact, his assessment of affordability is not only flawed, but essentially useless, and seems to be more sales pitch than forecast.

AHCC announces Glenbrook and Varsity developments

With easy access to established amenities, transit and the downtown core, living in Calgary's inner city comes with a lot of perks.

While you may have to dip a little deeper in your pockets to live there – the benchmark average of the inner city, according to CREB®, was $557,100 in February – there are also some affordable opportunities.

With service in high demand, Attainable Homes Calgary Corp. has announced 42 new units in Glenbrook, a community bordered by Sarcee Trail, Richmond Road, 37 Street and 26 Avenue in the city's southwest.

Plenty of new amenities and features slated for Calgary's downtown and beyond

For Mission resident Michelle Norman, living in the inner city allows for a variety of amenities but also some reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city.

"There are plenty of running paths along the Elbow River, which is beautiful in the evening, and allows you to feel like you've escaped the city for awhile," she said.

"[Mission has] a variety of unique restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and shopping. You can do anything, from taking a yoga class, spin classes or even go and see a little art gallery. It's walking distance from 17th Avenue and the core. The people are really friendly."

Taking high-tech outside the home

* Home is Where the Tech Is: With new technology designed to make the lives of homeowners easier arriving every day. CREBNow explores some of the tech trends designed to help get the best out of your home.

When most homeowners think technology, their thoughts likely turn toward those gadgets designed to add entertainment, safety or convenience to the home.

However, technological advances designed to improve the lives of homeowners need not be cooped up indoors.
Although not as flashy as a new 4K curved screen television, the high-tech contraptions being made for use outdoors can still provide plenty of purpose.

The City is hold two information sessions to share the revised application to redevelop a piece of Paskapoo Slopes east of Canada Olympic Park.

"Following public engagement that took place in the summer, the applicant has recently provided a revised proposal," said David Couroux, senior planner with the City's Planning Department. "We've had a chance to review the revised application and would like to not only share this with the public, but gather feedback specific to building  heights and visual impacts to help further refine the plan."