Times Square in NY may be a commercial success, but I avoid like the plague - too congested, too claustrophobic.  And it is a pretty unique place.  Don't know what the practical lessons that Calgary or even Toronto can draw from the Times Square experience.  The density there is just a different order of magnitude - and most of the people in Times Square at any given point are tourists.

 For the rest of the world, it is all about balance.  Sure is nice to be able to walk to stores and restaurants.  But I don't have much interest in walking too and from my local grocery store with a week's worth of groceries.  Or walking 4 km to the nearest arena with all my kid's hockey equipment.  And then there is the cottage.  Cars are a part of our life, and they are not going away.  The problem with conferences like the one discussed above is that they tend to be "hate cars" events.  Reality is that most of us who need cars are not prepared to give them up.  Me included.