Urban living in Edmonton

[Rogie]

Here is some of the raw data:

The population of downtown Edmonton went from 55,997 in 2011-2016 to 55,387 in the most recent census.

The most populated downtowns were Toronto (275,931 people), Vancouver (121,932 people), Montréal (109,509 people), Ottawa (67,169 people) and Edmonton (55,387 people).

In 2020 and 2021, the population of most of Canada's downtowns grew slower or declined in the wake of the pandemic
Since the onset of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, far fewer Canadians are commuting to work downtown as many businesses and government agencies that could do so shifted from an office setting to working virtually at home.

For example, from July 1, 2020 to the end of June 2021, the downtown population of Toronto (+0.4%) continued to grow, albeit at a much slower pace compared with the pace of growth seen from 2016 to 2021 overall (+3.2% annually). This may be related to housing supply, especially condominiums, where new units continued to come onto the market even after the onset of the pandemic. Some buyers who bought their home prior to the pandemic may only have taken possession in 2020 or 2021.

Source

[canucklehead2]

Not shocked. The effects of gentrification at work. Prices go up, people leave. Especially when they are given the vibe from the powers that be that their presence isn't wanted. And the comments on this board and peoples affiliated Social Media comments certainly reflect this... The Ice District is a perfect metaphor in a tangible form of all that's currently wrong with the direction of the CBD as pretty as it is... And don't get me wrong it is...

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

Not shocked. The effects of gentrification at work. Prices go up, people leave. Especially when they are given the vibe from the powers that be that their presence isn't wanted. And the comments on this board and peoples affiliated Social Media comments certainly reflect this... The Ice District is a perfect metaphor in a tangible form of all that's currently wrong with the direction of the CBD as pretty as it is... And don't get me wrong it is...

Prices in the Statscan 'Downtown' area haven't really gone up all that much since 2016 though, so that assumption is 100% true I think.

If anything, it's people moving for larger spaces out in the burbs where those big houses exist. Good luck trying to find a decent 4-bedroom house in 'Downtown' - it's either apartments or 3-bedroom and smaller houses, duplexes and towns.

[Coldrsx]

Statcan

[Coldrsx]

The demolition of ‘The Lookout’

The downtown revitalization plan may mean more historic
buildings like El Mirador may be things of the past

By Brett Holden
https://macewanjournalism.com/14617-2/

[Coldrsx]

Planner sees need for ‘granular’ projects to build downtown population
Feb. 15, 2022 · The Pulse
By Emily Rendell-Watson
Comments

The latest census shows that Edmonton is one of a handful of Canadian cities to see a decline in its downtown population between 2016 and 2021. The decrease is surprising, says urban planner Neal LaMontagne, but he doesn’t think it is necessarily a sign that the city is headed in the wrong direction.

https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2022/...ar-projects-to-build-downtown-population

[Coldrsx]

B.C. prepares to remove some housing approval powers from local governments: minister
Housing minister David Eby says "municipalities are not approving enough housing for our population growth" as too many development proposals become stalled at the permit approval stage

Author of the article:The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Dirk Meissner
Publishing date:Feb 21, 2022

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news...sing-approval-powers-from-municipalities

[Coldrsx]

Chris Buyze
• 1st
Designer | Owner of Battle Lake Design Group | Downtown Edmonton community organizer
2m • 2 minutes ago

Something I've been working on with the amazing folks at hcma
and Michael Phair for a while. While just concepts for now, hope you like it!

_____________________________
Downtown Edmonton Community League is pleased to release ideas for an upgraded Michael Phair Park on 104 Street Downtown. These preliminary concepts were developed in conversation with HCMA Architects and former City Councillor Michael Phair to look at opportunities to enhance his namesake park.

Modeled after Michael Phair’s Alley of Light, the ‘Phase 2’ concepts are meant to spark discussion and interest in this important urban park space used by so many area residents, office workers, and visitors alike. By making strategic upgrades with lighting, colour, and programming, we can create a safe and inviting space that draws the community in. As the City commits to refreshing the park area in 2023, our hope is that the concepts will spark interest, build excitement, and inspire the community to
get involved.

Huge thanks to HCMA Architects for working with Michael Phair and DECL to imagine what this park could be. Stay tuned for consultation and feedback opportunities, but for now feel free to send your thoughts, comments and questions to [email protected]!

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton's plans for e-transit ambitious, but threatened by sprawl, car-loving past, report says

Ishita Verma · CBC News

While Edmonton is often a leader in Canada, even North America, in implementing sustainable public transit options, decades of car-oriented development and urban sprawl may be holding it back, says a report commissioned by Transport Canada.

Canadian Urban Mobility 2.0 looks at how open Canadian municipalities are to introduce innovation around sustainable transportation.

The report studied how people move around — whether by cycling, mass transit, or personal vehicles — in cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal and Halifax.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/...ransportation-transport-canada-1.6369034

---
The report:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21398317-transportcanada_final_feb1

[Coldrsx]

From the report:

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton’s downtown growth stalls

City trails both Calgary and Lethbridge
according to the 2021 Canadian census

By Brett Holden
THE 2021 Canadian census has put the Edmonton’s downtown as the fourth slowest growing core in Canada. Only Saguenay, Que., Regina, and Red Deer are growing more slowly than Edmonton. And with the housing market staying hot in the city, this may be a trend that’s here to stay.

The Realtors Association of Edmonton announced it sold more than 25,000 properties in the past year and, compared to other markets across the nation, Edmonton remains one of the most affordable.

“I’ve often said to people that Edmonton has been the least exciting real estate market in Canada for the last five years,” says Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate owner Tom Shearer.

“We haven’t seen extreme drops in our market, and we haven’t seen extreme hikes in our market compared to a lot of other regions.”

https://macewanjournalism.com/15424-2/

[Coldrsx]

Help DECL help you!

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton eyes property taxes based on density with cuts for rental property owners and hikes for single-family homes

Council is also eyeing new tax categories for low-, medium- or high-density residences. If Edmonton proceeds it would be the only municipality in the country to take this tax approach.

Author of the article: Lauren Boothby
Publishing date:Mar 09, 2022

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/property-tax

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Edmonton eyes property taxes based on density with cuts for rental property owners and hikes for single-family homes

Council is also eyeing new tax categories for low-, medium- or high-density residences. If Edmonton proceeds it would be the only municipality in the country to take this tax approach.

Author of the article: Lauren Boothby
Publishing date:Mar 09, 2022

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/property-tax

If these property tax changes are made, I wonder if that would be a big enough incentive to get more high and mid-rise projects underway.

[feepa]

wasn't sure where else to put this, feel this is the best thread for this...

Somewhere in this info-graphic report, it states that Edmonton was an exception and actually added density to its metropolitan area...

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/2022/03...nsport-commun-changements-climatiques/en

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by feepa

wasn't sure where else to put this, feel this is the best thread for this...

Somewhere in this info-graphic report, it states that Edmonton was an exception and actually added density to its metropolitan area...

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/2022/03...nsport-commun-changements-climatiques/en

Funny that they considered the coal mines out by Wabamun as urban development, so I question the accuracy of their density analysis.

[Airboy]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fatal-shooting-shah-landlord-home-1.6384363

It was just a matter of time I guess.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Airboy

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fatal-shooting-shah-landlord-home-1.6384363

It was just a matter of time I guess.

Yup, I was surprised he survived getting shot in the head last August...

[Coldrsx]

The outer limits: Why young Edmonton professionals are eschewing Downtown living for the suburbs

Author of the article: Chad Huculak
Publishing date:Mar 22, 2022

https://edmontonjournal.com/business/rea...1302&mc_cid=de64aefccb&mc_eid=b81cde227f

[Coldrsx]

As the article mentions, the continuous stress, impact and real personal safety concerns many of us have to deal with are simply driving people out and significantly impacting decision making for potential/future residents.

While it is encouraging to see multiple stakeholders working towards improving safety/security, the general lack of any attention or commitment to the residential areas of the Downtown is disheartening.

As mentioned many times, our neighbourhood has never been so plagued with crime, B&Es, people ODing in our lobby or vestibule, or damage to property in and around our building. Our condo board is spending a lot of money as a result when we would rather be putting that towards rising utility prices. This will directly lead to increases in condo fees, if not special assessments in many buildings and diminish the value proposition of these units to both live in and or invest in.

I have always been a strong advocate for living Downtown, that it was safe for my sister to live and explore as a single person (back in the day), that it is more family friendly than people believe, that it is a great place for active seniors and yet right now I am not sure I would recommend it to anyone; that's a sad statement.