Nowtown

Calgary, Mohkinstsis, is a place that resists simple summaries. It’s a young city in a constant cycle of renewal and reinvention, an ancient meeting place with history stretching back thousands of years, and a hive of creativity, entrepreneurial hustle, and experimentation that attracts new arrivals every day. Nowtown brings together voices and perspectives from across Calgary to explore the city’s restless spirit, unpack its contradictions, and celebrate its mavericks in an era when its urbanism is defined by much more than just oil.

Featuring essays from community leaders, journalists, historians, artists, and architects, Nowtown explores Calgary’s diverse communities and lesser-known spaces, interrogating its myths and challenging its stereotypes along the way. From artist-run centres and underground theatre to conservative political dominance and boom-bust economic cycles, these essays explore the varied architectural, cultural, political, and economic perspectives that make Calgary unique.