EDMONTON INSIGHT COMMUNITY SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER
Welcome to Spring in Edmonton! As the city blossoms with the new season, we are thrilled to share a lineup of events that promise fun and engagement for everyone. Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights:
Teddy Bear Fun Fest at Rundle Park in May—a delight for families.
Numerous Walk/Run Events across the city—great for health enthusiasts.
A nostalgic Father’s Day Car Show—perfect for automobile aficionados.
Explore more in our comprehensive Events Calendar for a variety of activities around the city. How Your Opinions Shape Our City
Your participation in our surveys directly informs strategic directions and policy decisions. The feedback you provide is invaluable, transforming into actionable insights that shape essential projects and influence deliberations at the City Council.
Recent Influences of Your Feedback:
Prioritizing Growth and Development: Your feedback has influenced our strategic planning for housing and business opportunities across the city. In our recent survey:
- 75% of respondents supported increased development in the Centre-City Wîhkôntôwin Node and 124 Street Primary Corridor.
- 71% backed more housing and business opportunities along the Stony Plain Road and 156 Street Corridors.
- 68% agreed with development initiatives for the University-Garneau Major Node. These insights help prioritize areas for growth, ensuring our development efforts align with community needs.
Addressing Urban Challenges: The issue of derelict properties has not gone unnoticed:
- A substantial 94% of you believe that addressing derelict properties should be a priority for the city, noting that such properties significantly detract from the quality of life in neighborhoods (93% agree).
- Despite the challenges, only 49% are aware of the existing tax subclass for derelict properties, underscoring the need for increased communication about this measure.
See more about the Council's decision on this matter in Derelict properties tax subclass - see Item 7.3
Improving Waste Management:
Efficient waste management remains a cornerstone of our environmental strategy. Your responses indicate:
- 81% utilize Eco Stations, while 86% are aware that certain items like mattresses and appliances are prohibited in shared waste containers.
- However, issues persist with 44% observing improper dumping occasionally, and 23% seeing it monthly. These insights are crucial for refining our waste management policies.
Affordable Housing Initiatives:
The need for affordable housing continues to be a pressing issue:
- 67% of residents see the need for more non-market affordable housing, with 50% supportive of such developments in their neighborhoods and 41% right on their street.
Residential Preferences for Infill Housing:
When it comes to infill housing, you value:
- Privacy and private outdoor spaces (88%),
- Spaciousness and layout efficiency (84%),
- Covered parking or garage availability (74%), while showing less interest in shared amenities like courtyards or BBQ areas (37%).
Exploring Housing Options: The familiarity with and consideration of diverse housing options show promising trends:
- 92% are familiar with secondary suites, and 82% with backyard housing.
- 33% would consider adding such units to their homes, with 65% citing family needs and 60% the potential for additional income through rentals.
Your opinions and experiences are invaluable as we continue to shape Edmonton’s future together. To stay informed about the council actions and decisions influenced by your feedback, please visit our Council and Committee Meetings webpage for the latest agendas, reports, and scheduling details.
What City Planning Teams Say about the Edmonton Insight Community
“What we heard from the accessibility surveys were used to identify draft actions and focus areas for the City's next Corporate Accessibility Plan. This feedback was also instrumental in understanding the barriers to accessibility of City programs, services, and spaces, as well as finalizing updates to the Accessibility for People with Disabilities Policy.”
~Corporate Accessibility Committee
Help us Stay Current and Relevant
Your input is crucial in shaping an Edmonton that mirrors the diversity of its residents. Recently, we asked members of the Edmonton Insight Community (EIC) to update their personal information. Keeping your profile current—from noting changes like a new address, a new family member, or a shift in your employment situation—allows us to understand the evolving perspectives of all Edmontonians, from Generation Y to seniors.
These updates ensure that the topics we discuss are relevant to you and that every voice is heard. Your updated information helps us deliver surveys that are finely tuned to reflect your current experiences and interests.
Please take a moment to update your information today.Empower Our Youth: Join the Insight Community
We're on a mission to engage more young Edmontonians to ensure our community reflects the vibrant diversity of our city. Youth perspectives are critical as they help shape policies and initiatives that affect everyone's future.
Are you between 15-24 years old or know someone who is? Join the Edmonton Insight Community and have a direct impact on the future of your city. It’s more than just a survey; it’s your chance to make a difference.