Approved Edmonton Downtown Plan Sets Path for Vibrant Urban Core

Aerial Dusk Downtown

July 08, 2010

A new Capital City Downtown Plan approved by City Council will bring more people and economic growth to downtown Edmonton.

“A dynamic downtown attracting people, investment and opportunity is a key ingredient for a great city,” says Peter Ohm, Manager, Planning and Policy Branch. “The plan will launch a vibrant, sustainable, well designed and accessible downtown for the benefit of the entire city and the Capital Region.”

The new downtown plan forecasts the number of people who live in the downtown will double from about 11,000 presently to 24,000 over the next 20 years.

Edmonton City Council approved the plan on July 7.

The plan proposes several catalyst projects to stimulate residential and economic growth in the downtown through:

  • housing incentives to create a large new residential neighbourhood in the Warehouse Campus district;
  • construction of a street level LRT through the downtown that will facilitate pedestrian activity and encourage further development around LRT stops;
  • creation of a new central park, as well as river valley promenades and central gathering places;
  • development of a high profile bikeway system; and
  • emphasis on green building technology to increase energy efficiency.

Updated policies, and design principles in the plan support better urban design and contribute to the livability of the downtown. Among the design principles are those that will guide development in the future sports and entertainment district.

The new downtown plan is based on several years of public consultation. The zoning details and an implementation plan will be finalized over the next several months.

“This plan will guide the transformation of the downtown into a more energetic, attractive, and walkable area with focus on high density, mixed use and transit oriented development,” adds Ohm.

 

For more information:

Duncan Fraser

Sustainable Development

Title Senior Planner and Project Manager
Telephone

780-496-6118
Fax 780-401-7055
Email duncan.fraser@edmonton.ca
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