Over the last two years, more than 130,000 people have moved to the Edmonton area. This is record growth for our City and it’s incredibly exciting to know that people are choosing Edmonton.
Our high quality of life, access to jobs, relative housing affordability, connection to nature, and festival spirit is unmatched. Edmonton is a young and growing city where you can build a life, found a business, start a family, and thrive. I’m obviously biased and think our city is the best place to live in Canada, but the data and population trends are objectively clear - Edmonton is leading the way in population growth, and it’s not close.
Growth is exciting. It represents opportunity, proof of attractiveness, and investment. It means that we are winning the competition to build a great city, and that our efforts to attract and retain talent, build livability communities, and deliver a competitive quality of life are working. In January, the Conference Board of Canada projected Edmonton to have the fastest growing economy from 2026 to 2029 across Canada’s top 13 major cities.
Growth also comes with challenges. As a growing city, we need to figure out how to accommodate new families and neighbours, and keep up with growing demand for city services. Importantly, we must accommodate growth in a way that meets the needs of current and future residents, while supporting long term fiscal resilience.
While growth can be a great boon, it also poses risks. Poorly managed sprawling expansion drives up taxes for households and businesses, stretches the city budget, and spreads city services thin. If we don’t match the pace of growth with increased housing supply, rents rise and homeownership becomes increasingly unattainable.
While Edmonton has done well compared to other cities, we are not immune to the cost pressures seen in cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Young people are already struggling to enter the housing market, seniors are experiencing sprawl-induced tax increases and service reductions, and people on the margins are struggling to make ends meet.
To combat this, continued investment in affordable and subsidized housing is critical. At the same time, we must take steps to adapt our neighbourhoods to changing conditions, including modernizing our approach to where and how we grow.
That's why, in this blog, I want to talk about infill and the importance of welcoming more people and homes into existing communities.
It is imperative that Edmonton accommodates growth by building in and up rather than sprawling out. It’s the fiscally responsible thing to do, and one of the primary ways Edmonton can stabilize its tax base over the coming years.
Changes in established neighbourhoods can be challenging, and when residents reach out to express concerns, the vast majority of the time, it reflects the care and pride they have for their community. It can be difficult to see your neighbourhood changing in new and different ways, and people rightly are asking questions.
Seeing change in our neighbourhoods isn't easy, and seeing a new row house next to an older bungalow might cause some people to feel like it doesn't fit in. This is where there can be tension between the vision outlined in higher level plans, like the City Plan, and on the ground changes that are needed to achieve that vision.
As our neighbourhoods continue to evolve, I wanted to pull together common questions and concerns I have been hearing and share some additional information and resources.
What is Infill?
Residential infill means new housing in established neighbourhoods. It includes new secondary suites, garage suites, duplexes, semi-detached and detached houses, row houses, apartments, and other residential and mixed-use buildings.
Edmonton has been evolving its approach to infill over the last fifteen years and modernizing our approach to accommodating growth.
Why do we need infill?
What is the City's target for infill development?
What about overburdening infrastructure, like sewers or utilities?
How are developers held accountable?
What about parking?
Does infill lower property value for the neighbourhood or adjacent property?
What about neighbourhood character?
What kind of infill is in demand in Edmonton?
How does infill help with affordable housing?
Is infill good for the environment?
Where can I learn more about infill in my neighbourhood?
How can I appeal a project in my neighbourhood?
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