Principles
Four important principles underpin the development and implementation of the City of Edmonton Strategic Plan, 2009-2018.
Integration
A holistic view of strategic planning that acknowledges the inter-related and inter-dependent reality of complex urban environments. Goals and priorities set for different elements in urban planning are as inter-related ecosystems and considered in terms of how they impact, support and drive each other.
Sustainability
A way of living which meets the needs of the present and does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Urban planning takes an integrated, holistic view of urban environments and defines sustainability in the context of interrelated ecosystems encompassing economic, social, environmental and cultural sustainability.
The principle of sustainability also includes financial sustainability, ensuring urban planning recognizes and addresses resource constraints and capacities.
Livability
An interrelated set of factors that influences people to choose a place to live and reinforces their sense of well-being there. The concept of livability is based on the knowledge that the economic and social life of the community is intimately linked to its natural and built environment, and together these elements impact social and cultural goals.
Livability factors include
- Social capital: The human capital of the people within a city in all their diversity and potential, together with an urban culture that reflects people's social values and makes them feel included and respected.
- Amenities: A clean and well-designed community that allows many choices of lifestyle and includes open and green spaces, respect for historic features and intangibles such as a sense of place and fostering community character.
- Economic prosperity: Sustainable economic and employment opportunities.
- Safety: A sense of personal and community safety and overall social order.
- Access to social services and infrastructure: such as healthcare, education, recreation and arts and culture.
- Environment: An environment sustained for current and future generations through responsible practices. Clean air and water, access to local food supplies and the healthy co-existence of natural and urban environments.
- Affordability: The ability of people of all incomes to have access to affordable core needs such as housing, food, transit and core social services. The recognition as well that affordability of other amenities affects the overall competitiveness of a city in attracting and retaining residents and impacts the quality of life of those who live there.
- Ease of mobility and movement: Accessible roads and transportation modes that meet the requirements and choices of society, communities and people of all ages and needs.
- Participation: Political and democratic processes that allow people to participate in decisions that affect them.
Innovation
A planning approach and operational culture within a municipality which encourages and enables continuous improvement and the exploration and adoption of new techniques, technologies, products and ways of operating in order to improve results and lead progressive change.
