Alumni Impact

Adam Schwartz, a Master of Planning (MPlan ‘22) alum and lifelong Calgarian, has developed a strong passion for urban planning and community development. His upbringing in neighborhoods like Thorncliffe, Hidden Valley, Strathcona, and Crescent Heights, combined with his hands-on education at UCalgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL), has shaped his perspective. Drawing from these experiences, Adam emphasizes the importance of fostering connections within communities. 

His academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies, culminating in a Master of Planning at SAPL. This educational experience has shaped his people-centered approach to planning and led him to his current role with the Federation of Calgary Communities, overseeing the growth of placemaking programs like the ActivateYYC microgrant program, and coordinating the annual Jane's Walk Festival.  

Since its inception in 2017, ActivateYYC has focused on supporting community building and placemaking throughout Calgary neighbourhoods through microgrants. In April 2025, the Federation of Calgary Communities achieved a significant milestone by securing an additional $2.85 million in funding from the Ccity to expand its placemaking initiatives, leading to the birth of its latest program: the Good Places Project. With an annual granting allowance of $400,000, the program aims to continue to support community ideas and initiatives that foster a sense of belonging in Calgary's neighborhoods. 

The first grant intake closed at the end of February, receiving an overwhelming response with 120 applications requesting a total of $1.3 million. Thirteen projects were funded through the initial winter grant intake, and the program expects to select a dozen more with the closure of its’ spring intake. The focus of these initiatives is on small-scale, quick, and tangible community interventions designed to enhance social connection and belonging in neighborhoods facing isolation and mental health challenges. 

As Calgary approaches a population of nearly two million residents, these initiatives are crucial for fostering community ties. Key performance indicators for the initiatives will include improvements in residents’ sense of belonging, employing public-life observational tools from Happy Cities, alongside pre- and post-implementation counts and surveys, with the help of University of Calgary MPlan students and summer interns. 

The grant portion of the program launched in January, and the Good Places HQ opened in mid-May. Research and data outputs are anticipated by fall, culminating in a stronger evidence portfolio by the end of the three-year funding cycle. Funded initiatives include the distribution of small-scale amenities such as Adirondack chairs, benches, and pop-up seating in parks. Community events and festivals will also be supported, including activities such as three-on-three basketball in Forest Lawn, Chalk the Block in Montgomery BIA, and the Greenview BIA Graffiti Jam. 

The newly opened Good Places HQ serves as an innovation and community hub located near Franklin LRT station. This space includes a small event area for approximately one hundred people, and a light-industrial "garage" workspace for building benches, little libraries, birdhouses, and more. It is intended as a tangible community hub and maker space to support projects and volunteer activities.  

Adam's long-term goals include building a durable culture of neighborliness and community-focused placemaking in Calgary, which he hopes will serve as a model for Western Canada and beyond. He aims to demonstrate the dollar-value impact of resident-led, small-scale interventions.  

For students looking to engage in community development, Adam offers the following advice.  

He encourages embracing tactical urbanism thinking, identifying small gaps, and applying design and planning skills to implement quick, tangible fixes. By building portfolios through extracurricular and community work, students can leverage their SAPL connections, critiques, and studio networks for future practice. Together, they can foster a sense of belonging and enhance their communities, making Calgary a more vibrant place to live, work, and play. 

For more information, visit: the Good Places Project