River Valley Planning Modernization

The River Valley Planning Modernization (RVPM) project is renewing our strategic planning for the River Valley and the processes and tools for evaluating and regulating development that is proposed within the River Valley and Ravine System.

River Valley Planning Modernization Public Hearing - December 9, 2024

On December 9, the RVPM project team will present the final North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan (River Valley ARP) and Ribbon of Green Strategic Plan to City Council through a public hearing. As a statutory plan, the River Valley ARP must be approved and adopted by City Council through the public hearing process. The Ribbon of Green Strategic Plan will be presented for consideration at the same time.

This step is the culmination of many years of work on the renewal of our planning framework for the River Valley, informed by Indigenous and community engagement, technical analysis and step-by-step development of the two plans.

The final plans can be accessed through the December 9, 2024 meeting agenda available through the “Agendas and Minutes calendar” on the City’s Council and Committee Meetings web page. This page also provides more information about the public hearing process and information about how to register to speak.

Next Steps

In the months ahead and through 2025, we will be drafting additional guidance to support the implementation of the updated plans and refining our future work plan, including associated budget requests, so that we can put the strategic direction of the Ribbon of Green and the land use planning direction of the River Valley ARP into action.

Thank you for sharing your input

Over the four project phases, we engaged extensively with Edmontonians, Indigenous Nations and communities, and local organizations. We’re grateful to everyone who participated. All of the input we received helped us to better understand people’s perspectives on River Valley challenges and opportunities, and what is most valued about this unique, essential and beautiful system. To learn more about the community and Indigenous engagement that took place over the course of the project, what we learned, and how input helped to inform the two plans, please visit the Public Engagement page.

Read the plans

Ribbon of Green Strategic Plan (November 2024)
Looking for a shorter overview of the plan? Check out the Ribbon of Green Plan Guide.

North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan* (November 2024)
River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan Backgrounder

*This plan has not been reviewed and approved by City Council. City Council will deliberate on this plan as part of a public hearing process, currently scheduled for December 9, 2024.

Edmonton’s City Plan, approved by City Council in 2020, describes the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System as “the most important feature of our city.” It is a vital ecological corridor, a valued recreation destination, a place of incredible cultural significance and a draw for visitors throughout the region.

The question at the heart of the project is this: How will we ensure that the River Valley, the backbone of our open space network, remains vibrant and ecologically resilient as the city grows?

Ribbon of Green

A graphic of a ribbon with "Ribbon of Green" in text

The Ribbon of Green provides the strategic direction: our overall vision for the future of the River Valley, our high-level plans for the connected open spaces within it, and the policy that guides our decisions about what happens in that space.

Project Goal

Building on the Ribbon of Green SW+NE and guided by Breathe: Edmonton’s Green Network Strategy, develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System to guide appropriate public use and enjoyment while sustaining and restoring healthy and resilient ecosystems.

This project will also give us the opportunity to bring these planning and regulatory tools into alignment, so that our decision-making supports our vision. The Ribbon of Green will outline WHAT we want to do, and the River Valley ARP will outline HOW we will achieve it.

River Valley ARP

A graphic of a ribbon with "River Valley ARP" in text.

The North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan formally sets aside the River Valley for environmental protection and use as parkland, and identifies key regulations guiding how proposals for River Valley development are evaluated.

Project Goal

Develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for the River Valley that aligns with the City’s strategic direction, reflects Edmonton’s current planning and development context, and strengthens the City’s ability to protect and preserve environmentally sensitive areas.

River Valley Planning Modernization