Edmonton’s population is expected to grow to over 1.8 million people within the next 50 years. We have to plan to ensure a high quality of life for our residents and a strong central city for the region. Environmental, social and economic issues cross municipal boundaries. A collaborative approach is needed to control urban sprawl, protect farmland, plan efficient transportation and protect natural areas. By working on issues together, the outcome is more effective.
Regional Planning
Edmonton is the centre of a diverse metropolitan region. Four counties, two cities, a Canadian Forces base, and a First Nations community immediately neighbour us. Together, we share a desire to create a vibrant, liveable region that can compete globally.
By adopting a shared-interest approach and borderless planning philosophy, together we can comprehensively plan for coordinated land uses, efficient servicing and effective economic development. This results in better value for taxpayer dollars, and a more resilient region.
Relationships
We build strong relationships with our neighbours and foster regional prosperity by:
- Collaborating with Leduc County and Beaumont on an Intermunicipal Planning Framework Agreement to jointly plan the area southeast of Edmonton, including: land use, transportation and servicing plans, and cost and benefit sharing.
- Leveraging the economic potential of Edmonton International Airport (EIA) through the Airport Accord - a commitment to jointly plan for land use, servicing, transportation, economic development and cost and benefit sharing between Edmonton, Leduc County, the City of Leduc and Edmonton Regional Airports Authority.
- Supporting coordinated land use and infrastructure planning along the boundary between Edmonton and its neighbours through studies, such as the Joint Planning Study with Strathcona County . A similar study is underway between Edmonton, Parkland County and Enoch Cree Nation and is expected to be completed in 2019. These studies foster relationship-building, information-sharing and ongoing discussion around areas of mutual interest.
- Working with Sturgeon County and St. Albert towards a shared vision for the unique Sturgeon Valley Special Study Area, a partially-developed peri-urban area located immediately north of Edmonton.
Intermunicipal Planning Framework
Since 2018, the City of Beaumont, City of Edmonton and Leduc County have been actively working together to address growth along their shared boundaries (known as the study area).
Recent annexations have resulted in new municipal boundaries and created an opportunity for the partner municipalities to collaborate. The partners recognize that they can achieve more sustainable and livable communities through the coordination of joint inter-municipal planning around their shared boundaries.
In February 2020, the councils of the City of Beaumont, City of Edmonton, and Leduc County approved the Intermunicipal Planning Framework (Framework) through a Memorandum of Agreement.
The Framework is a tri-party document that encompasses a joint vision and a set of principles for the study area. The Framework focuses on land use compatibility, cost-effective and efficient infrastructure servicing, and planning for future cost sharing.
The Framework was informed by existing City of Beaumont, City of Edmonton and Leduc County planning documents and other studies. The Framework is not a statutory plan. This means that it will guide future land use planning and activities in the study area, but will not change current land use designations.
Next Steps
As the area develops, implementation of the Framework will inform future statutory planning in the study area, including municipal development plans, area structure plans, or area redevelopment plans. Subsequent planning initiatives as part of this project or any impacted future planning initiatives undertaken by partner municipalities will include public engagement opportunities where appropriate.
The partners look forward to continued collaboration and coordination around their shared boundaries.
Regional Strategy
Planning and acting as one metropolitan region in regionally significant area ensures a globally competitive Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board
Several municipalities form the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, a regional growth management board mandated by the Province that collectively makes decisions to strategically guide growth in the region. They are working on several initiatives, including:
- Developing a Regional Agricultural Master Plan by May 2020 to ensure that our prime agricultural resources are wisely managed
- Creating a Regional Servicing Plan by October 2019 to ensure that our future growth is supported by efficient transportation, transit, water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste and emergency services
Collaboration
We’re collaborating with our regional partners to promote a sustainable region by:
- Supporting Metro Edmonton’s first fully regional economic development company - Edmonton Global - and their mission to strengthen the region’s competitiveness
- Establishing a Regional Transit Services Commission to deliver better-integrated transit services in the region
- Implementing the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board Growth Plan to ensure that the vision for a vibrant, sustainable region over the next 50 years is realized
- Exploring integrated service delivery with our municipal neighbours through Intermunicipal Collaborative Frameworks
- Examining ways to ensure that municipalities that benefit from a service or piece of infrastructure also help pay for it through a regional Shared Investment for Shared Benefit model