More and More Calgarians Are Making Their Way Downtown

More Calgarians are making their way downtown to shop and eat according to a new Ipsos Reid survey. The results show that the number of Calgarians that head to the downtown core to eat dinner or lunch or to shop has risen by 10% since 2011. The survey was conducted in October and November last year and sampled 1,000 residents that were over the age of 18.

The survey showed that residents have a better perception of the cleanliness and safety found in the downtown area. More people are satisfied with the cleanliness of the LRT stations, bus stops and sidewalks. As well, the poll also indicated that nine out of ten surveyed feel that the level of safety in the downtown core has either improved or remained steady during the last year.

There was a rise from 31% to 39% in regards to the number of people that were heading downtown to do their shopping. The numbers increased from 39% up to 47% for those deciding to have lunch downtown and from 34% up to 42% for those choosing to come downtown for dinner. Core residents are also leaving home more often to eat lunch, dinner or shop in the local area.

The survey also shows that less people are driving into the area. The numbers driving downtown decreased from 51% down to 46%. The number of people that are using Calgary Transit to head into town went up to 19% from 15%.

The Calgary core includes the following communities:

• Downtown
• Chinatown
• Stampede Park
• East Village
• Eau Claire
• Connaught
• Victoria Crossing
• Beltline
• West End

The numbers reflected by this poll are from October and November 2013. They are being compared to the figures reported back in 2011 when Ipsos Reid ran a similar survey.