Connectedness

Goal One: Edmonton is a vibrant, connected, engaged and welcoming city

Edmontonians value their connections with each other.

They see their relationships with nature, their community, history, local government and the world as enriching their lives and contributing to their overall well-being.

Connecting with others --across cultures, age groups, geography and communities of interest is seen as essential for creating a vibrant, connected, engaged and welcoming city.

Edmontonians want their municipal government to work with them to create neighbourhoods and city-wide public spaces alive with activity. They want a welcoming culture where new arrivals from other parts of Alberta, Canada or the world readily experience the best of the city and quickly see themselves as Edmontonians.

Edmonton residents want to connect to people and places regardless of their physical mobility or their choice of transportation. They look to their local government to help make that happen.

Edmontonians want connections to the world and opportunities for local and city-wide social, recreational, cultural and spiritual interaction. They encourage their municipal government to use innovative methods to increase connections amongst residents and to the City programs and services that help them thrive and realize their potential.

The people of Edmonton appreciate they are a diverse group. They seek connections to the history of the place they collectively call home and to the richly diverse histories of the people who have built and continue to build this city.

Whether it's playing sports or taking in an arts or cultural event, enjoying Edmonton's natural environment or walking down a neighbourhood street, residents look to connect with each other. They appreciate that it's the quality of their connections that adds to their sense of safety and belonging. They look to the City to promote accessible, well-used libraries. They know the value of community hubs for neighbourhood gatherings and activities. They want City programs and services that connect people and meet the diverse needs of communities.

Edmontonians want to provide their views and have input and influence into the decisions that affect their lives and their future. They want to connect with a strong local government.

It is through their connections with each other that Edmontonians create a welcoming community for visitors and quickly engage new arrivals into the vibrant urban life that is Edmonton.

Objectives:

1.1 The City of Edmonton provides opportunities in neighbourhood, community and public spaces to connect people and build vibrant communities.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Builds, revitalizes and sustains Great Neighbourhoods¹.
• Provides Edmontonians with a public library system that meets diverse needs in all communities.
• Partners and provides opportunities for local and city-wide social, recreational, cultural and spiritual interaction.
• Partners and provides recreation, leisure and social programs and facilities as focal points for community, neighbourhood and city-wide connections.
• Partners with community leagues, school boards and other organizations to build community.
• Promotes Edmonton’s Downtown² as a focal point for people to connect.

1.2 The City of Edmonton uses its social and physical infrastructure at the neighbourhood, city, regional and global level to create connections.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Builds, partners and promotes the use of an integrated, accessible pedestrian and bicycle network.
• Provides, partners and advocates for accessible public transit³ and active transportation⁴ to increase mobility and interaction within the city and across the region.
• Provides and encourages people to explore and enjoy their connection to the natural environment.
• Provides infrastructure to enhance interaction among Edmontonians.
• Uses innovative methods to increase connections among citizens.
• Advocates for integrated road, air and rail connections to the city, region and world.

1.3 The City of Edmonton integrates public transit with economic, social, residential and recreational hubs.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Plans, designs and provides its recreational and social programs and services in areas served by public transit.
• Provides more than single use facilities in areas well served by public transit.
• Encourages businesses to locate near LRT stations and transit centres.
• Promotes a range of housing options located in close proximity to LRT stations and major transit centres.

1.4 The City of Edmonton connects individuals, families, groups, cultures and communities to the services they need to thrive and realize their potential.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Provides information, partners with other organizations and advocates so as to increase residents’ awareness and knowledge of city programs and services.
• Provides opportunities for new residents to connect and feel welcome and be engaged in their new city.
• Builds community and individual capacity by connecting them to the programs, services and resources they require to thrive.
• Partners with the not-for-profit sector, the private sector and regional municipalities to collaborate on the delivery of services.
• Engages and advocates other orders of government for programs and services that build community and individual capacity⁵, including the ability of Edmontonians to age in place.

1.4 The City of Edmonton connects Edmontonians and Albertans to their history, heritage and unique role as Alberta’s capital city.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Partners with other orders of government to leverage its role as Alberta’s capital city.
• Maintains and preserves Edmonton’s historic resources.
• Promotes the history and contributions of all Edmontonians.
• Promotes its role as Alberta’s link to the North and its global and social connections.
• Promotes its rich history and diverse cultural heritage.
• Promotes its role as Alberta’s capital city.

1.6 The City of Edmonton builds strong local government by connecting Edmontonians to their local leadership.

 

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Provides access to its municipal political leaders and the civic administration.
• Provides opportunities for citizens to participate on boards and agencies that advise City Council and Administration.
• Provides and promotes innovative methods to reduce barriers to participation and engage citizens in local government.

Glossary

1. Great Neighbourhoods

• Great neighbourhoods all have the following qualities:
  • well-maintained infrastructure
  • interesting and accessible amenities
  • safe, clean and pedestrian-friendly environment
  • residents who support each other and work with government and other organizations to make their neighbourhood the place they want it to be.
    (City of Edmonton Office of Great Neighbourhoods)

2. Downtown

• The area within the boundaries of the current City of Edmonton Downtown Plan. (City of Edmonton Municipal Development Plan and Transportation Master Plan)

3. Accessible Public Transit

• A municipality that provides accessible transportation services in order to access goods, services, personal or work related activities and other destinations for all citizens, including those with mobility challenges or other disabilities that impact or limit their options for travel.

4. Active Transportation Network

• Any mode of transportation by which people use their own energy to power their motion. (City of Edmonton Transportation Master Plan)

5. Capacity

• The ability of an individual, group or community to organize itself to identify and solve its own problems.