Edmonton Journal

Strangers stand on a corner in downtown Drayton Valley, talking about what works -- and what doesn't. Claudia Carreno, an architect from Monterrey, Mexico, points to a long, unwelcoming sidewalk beside a furniture store's brick wall. The wall stretches the length of the building but doesn't have a single window. "That's not inviting for pedestrians, not inviting for tourists or visitors -- not nice for walking, to have this large brick wall right beside you," Carreno says. "That's a problem for us to address." Oblivious to the people talking on the sidewalk, a young driver punches the gas as he turns left at a traffic light.