Design Principles

Blatchford will be built on seven principles that will create a new urban experience through innovative community planning.

Planning and design

Blatchford’s urban plan will raise the bar for community design world-wide by:

• Creating exemplary places.
• Using innovative architecture for building and landscapes.
• Planning a community that combines form and function. 

Ecological footprint

A community that makes it easy for residents to reduce their ecological footprint while improving their quality of life.

• Residents will be able to walk, cycle or take transit rather than rely on personal vehicles.
• Homes will be designed to use less heat and power.
• Blatchford will make being green a natural and easy part of residents' lives.

Infrastructure

Energy, water, transportation and waste management systems are the cornerstones of sustainability, and will be thoughtfully designed to reduce environmental impact. Design solutions include:

• Renewable energy systems.
• Efficient stormwater and wastewater systems.
• Transit-oriented design, supplemented with trails and bike paths.
• Connecting to Edmonton’s world-leading waste management system.

Family Housing

Blatchford will provide homes for all stages of life. There will be a focus on providing family-friendly housing in a range of medium-density housing types (townhouses, stacked townhouses and four to six storey apartments.) The community will offer:

• A vibrant street life that creates a strong neighbourhood environment.
• Outdoor private areas and play spaces for homes, and wherever possible, private entries that front directly on the street.
• A mix of 20% affordable housing with market-rate housing.

Open Space

Open spaces will be fully integrated into the community to provide both environmental benefits and places for residents to enjoy. Blatchford will feature:

• A large public park that will be within walking distance for all residents.
• A network of open spaces and trails throughout the community.
• Space for urban agriculture.
• Places for the community to meet, play and relax.

Technology

Blatchford’s vision will look to new technologies to be a part of the search for sustainable solutions. A key to the long-term success of the community will depend on developing partnerships with local experts. Among others, Blatchford will look to:

• EPCOR for their applied knowledge in water and water reuse.
• The University of Alberta, which is developing a sustainable south campus that mirrors many of the goals of the Blatchford redevelopment.
• The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology for opportunities in education and research in sustainable development. There are also further partnership opportunities for NAIT, such as student housing and an expansion of its campus.

History

The Blatchford lands are among the most historical locations in Edmonton. The history of the site as Canada’s first municipally-run airfield will be embodied through initiatives including:

• Naming of the development.
• Preservation, where appropriate, of historical buildings.
• Naming of the area, roads and major public areas.

For More Information

Blatchford Project Office

Email	blatchford@edmonton.ca