Many Hills to Climb: Urban Realm BIM at Edmonton's 100 Street Funicular

In this session, we'll explore how civic leaders in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, had long wrestled with how to connect the vibrant downtown walkways to the nearby North Saskatchewan River Valley trails, with more than 50 meters of elevation separating the two. This connection had to be accessible to everyone, regardless of how they made their journey. With this goal at its heart, the 100 Street Funicular was born. Collaboration was a team priority at both a human and technological level. Realizing a barrier-free site with no impact on existing infrastructure came to pass through brainstorming driven by a live building information modeling (BIM) ecosystem. Many design aspects had no precedent in Edmonton's harsh prairie climate, so their success hinged on the synergy between the design software and its users. Architects, landscape architects, engineers, and urban planners worked hand in hand with constructors and owners, some using a BIM-driven workflow for the first time. Thanks to the team's determination, the city's natural wonders now have a gateway for all to explore them.