City Planning - Airport Redevelopment Plan

When all of this Edmonton Municipal Airport controversy started years ago, I was fairly ambivalent about it all.  I didn't really have much of an opinion one way or another.  At that time the big decision was to either keep it as a fully functioning airport or consolidate to the International.  Well the International won and the muni became a shell of what it once was. 

More and more the writing was on the wall that it would be closed and re-developed.  My only real fear about that was that Edmonton would just take this space and create yet another un-inspired neighborhood.  Stick some houses in, a few 7 elevens and call it a "community".  Yet another neighborhood that has nothing within walking distance, our typical "get in the SUV" and drive elsewhere kind of place.

But low and behold, this may not be the case.  Mayor Mandel doesn't see to want that either.  He has a vision to try and take this opportunity to do better.  To start putting the "planning" into City Planning. (which has been a complete oxymoron).  The city commissioned a number of companies from around the world to come up with concepts for the redevelopment of this area.  After some public consultation a company was selected.  They are Perkins and Will and they are even Canadian (Vancouver based).

Now this is in concept phase and there will be at least 15 months of design and consultation, but what interests me is that there seems to be a desire to add quality of life to a development rather than just buildings.  They talk about parks and green spaces, walkable streets, places to play and gather and grow food.  What is most exciting is the talk of deep geothermal!  Can it be that in the province of "coal plant development" we are actually thinking of doing something environmentally forward?  Say it isn't so!

If you are interested in the concept you can take a look here. 

So I really don't want to hear any more from Envision Edmonton.  Where were they years ago when this was a burning issue?  The horse is out of the gate, decisions have been made so move on already!

Obviously this is still all talk and we will have to wait and see if this all comes to fruition and lives up to expectations but at least the conversations are happening and a plan is in progress.

Some times I am not sure why I really care.  I live in St. Albert now, but I grew up in Edmonton and work there every day.  I have always had a soft spot for the nice city I remember.  It has become less enchanting over the past decades so I would like to see it gain back some of its shine.  I think some thoughtful planning and development can really help that happen.