Townsite

A town represents man's presence, and Banff is no exception. The complexity is staggering, and the infrastructure has made a deep and lasting impact on the area. A deep utility project on Bear street gives one a glimpse at what goes into making a town work. The town sits surrounded by mountains so can't help but inspire majesty when outside. But it's hard to hide infrastructure--those places that are necessary to keep the town running: utilities, garbage, heating, and alleyways for deliveries. And, although man's ingenuity is displayed in the structure and layout of the town of Banff, which can inspire a certain amount of wonder in itself, this infrastructure stands in stark contrast to its surroundings. It's a stark reminder that this is man's best effort to create and maintain his presence in this place.

Alleys and Rooftops

The main back alley, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Kegs, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Locked away garbage, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Rows of garbage bins, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Ugly doors, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Garbage, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Townsite uses gas, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 The infrastructure required to run a town, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 The stark appearances of the rear of the building, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Booze is in abundance, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Heat pumps and other things that make a building run, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 People don't usually look up, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Delivery doors--watch that first step, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Lots of garbage, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Unneeded infrastructure, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Transformers, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 The back of a store never looks as good as the front, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Bear street construction shows how much infrastructure is needed in a town, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 A deep utility project, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Garbage management is a big job in town, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Banff generates a lot of garbage, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 townsitegarbage3.jpg townsitegarbage4.jpg Heat pumps and air conditioners, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Roofs can be used for storage, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 It's good this isn't visible from the street, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 Heatpumps, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3 A gas chimney, OM-2n, HP5+, ID-11 1:3

When walking around the town of Banff it's hard to imagine that none of this was here before 1880. And the quest to provide everything for visitors has led Banff to grow unfettered. What will the town of Banff be 100 years from now?

Streets

Windows require maintenance too, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 You used to have to watch for bears in the Bow river delta. You still have to watch, but not for bears, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Banff is known for what is here, not what was here, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Liquor is an essential service, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 We find streets comforting, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Sales, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Taking care of the ill, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 A walkthrough, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 An empty cafeteria, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Restaurants are essential for the tourist experience, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Where there are bikes, there are bike thieves, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Bear street construction, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Some inside window cleaning, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 The parkade, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Sweet shop, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1 Fudge maker, OM-2n, Arista edu 400, L76 1:1

Stroll down Banff Avenue

(After clicking on the link, click on the long picture to expand it and scroll) Stroll down Banff Avenue

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