Last December I wrote a Transforming Edmonton post entitled ‘Evolving Infill and Public Engagement’. The post was both a brief snapshot of engagement/consultation and an introduction to the Evolving Infill project that we were embarking on. Evolving Infill was described in that post as a project aimed to “generate new ideas and opportunities for changing how the City supports residential infill (new houses in older neighbourhoods) and accommodates population growth in the coming years”. I noted that we were trying different approaches to public engagement. We wanted to hear from Edmontonians about their own experiences with infill and suggestions for changes to how we might support infill in the future.
From November 2013 to June 2014 we did just that!
We heard from more than 1,000 Edmontonians about residential infill and neighbourhood change. We heard from a group of senior citizens hoping to amalgamate their lots to develop a cluster of small houses centered around a communal fire pit. We heard from a child concerned with what infill would mean to the insects and animals in his neighbourhood. We heard from young families looking for affordable family-friendly housing options close to the city center and from wary residents unsure about what infill would mean for the future of their communities. We heard both stories about disagreements with neighbours, and about neighbours sharing power with the builder next door to help the project along. The conversation was telling.
(Artwork by Sam Hester)
It was telling because it became clear early in the project that Edmontonians are invested in the change of our city. Many people care about infill and see it as an opportunity to support the vibrancy and livability of our established neighbourhoods. We were also reminded that infill isn’t without its challenges. We know we need to continue to work with our neighbours, residents and city building partners to seize infill as an opportunity and to support more new housing in our established neighbourhoods in ways that work for many.
What was the result of this conversation?
We have used what we have learned to develop Edmonton’s Infill Roadmap. The Roadmap contains 23 actions to support more infill through a variety of process, communication, and regulatory changes. The actions speak to various perspectives and concerns, and together work to guide us forward to support more and better infill in Edmonton. The Report went to the Executive Committee of City Council on August 19 for information.
So… what’s next for Evolving Infill?
The City has committed to starting all 23 actions in the Roadmap within the next two years. Some will be easy to complete, and some will take more time to do right. We will start right away with 8 priorities (those identified through process and indicated in the Roadmap as being places to start). Many of the actions will require additional consultation, and we’re looking forward to continuing the conversation about infill and neighbourhood change.
Details on ways to stay involved with Evolving Infill will be posted on our website: Edmonton.ca/evolvinginfill.