Sprawlcast

Where is Calgary headed next—and what do we have going for us right now? A conversation between Sprawlcast host Jeremy Klaszus, author Shaun Hunter ("Calgary Through the Eyes of Writers"), urban planner Francisco Alaniz Uribe (assistant professor and co-director of The Urban Lab at the U of C's Faculty of Environmental Design) and Ward 3 Councillor Jyoti Gondek. This episode was recorded at the new Central Library on February 2, 2019.

We begin 2019 by asking: how can we have better political conversations? And what role does journalism play? Jeremy speaks with American journalist and Atlantic contributor Amanda Ripley, who has been investigating how to revive complexity and curiosity in tense times.

On Nov 26, Calgarians took the mic at city hall to share their stories, knowledge and wisdom on everything from climate change to poverty to main streets. In doing so they illuminated what Calgary could do next.

The Sprawl sits down with Mayor Naheed Nenshi to discuss his role in Calgary's Olympic pursuits. Why did he refrain from championing the bid early on—and what's changed? Also: the city can't afford all the mega-projects on the horizon and Olympics consistently go over budget. How would Calgary keep its Games truly lean and mean?

We get you up to speed before the November 13 Olympic plebiscite, taking a closer look at the funding deal on the table—and what it could mean for Calgary's future.

Many of Calgary's early pioneers are buried here. We visit at night to pay tribute to our journalistic hero, Bob Edwards. Then we find out why hundreds of people gather here every September for a new Calgary tradition of honouring the dead.

Jeremy learns to love Calgary's most roundly-ridiculed piece of public art. Calgary artist Alana Bartol walks the city limits. This episode was partially recorded at a d.talks forum on public art in June, and also features Ciara McKeown, Iman Bukhari, Dan Jacobson and Michelle Reid.

After getting into a Twitter spat with Councillor Jeff Davison over city council's enthusiasm for a new NHL arena, Jeremy sits down with Davison to hash it out in person.

Forest Lawn was built on the promise of connectivity: a streetcar line from Calgary to Chestermere. Instead, the community got 17 Avenue SE—which, by the 1970s, had become an unsightly auto-centric thoroughfare. This summer 17th Avenue, a.k.a. International Avenue, is being substantially remade with wide sidewalks, dedicated BRT bus lanes and public art. We investigate the street's dramatic transformation.

One of Calgary's most popular streets is getting a facelift this summer. But does the $44-million revamp of 17 Ave SW go far enough—or is it a missed opportunity? We go investigate, coffee in hand.

City council just voted 9-6 to continue pursuing an Olympic bid. In our first Sprawlcast Slice, we take you beyond the headlines and let you listen in on highlights of the debate.

We talk #Calgary2026 with city councillor Jyoti Gondek (no, she's not the one doing the dodging). When city council first approved exploring another Olympics, Mayor Naheed Nenshi called the decision "a risk that could have enormous payoffs." But nearly two years later, with a $30M bid corporation planned, council is still skirting the big question: should Calgary bid? In the absence of an answer, confusion, miscommunication and frustration have filled the void. We retrace council's steps and speak with Councillor Gondek about where things have gone sideways on this file—and how to get them back on track.

Not In My Back Yard. We call people NIMBYs when they fight against basement suites, bus lanes or condo towers in their neighbourhoods. But what do we miss when we apply that label too hastily? We peel away the NIMBY label and go underground—literally—to see what lies beneath.