Change in The Canadian Midwest: An Analysis of Land in Edmonton

Abstract

In this paper, I analyse the usage and layout of land in Edmonton, its impacts on the city’s growth and future, and propose potential solutions to the city’s current problems. Zoning is one specific area that will cause the council many political issues in the coming years. In city planning, “zoning” refers to how cities divide land into areas called “zones.”  These zones typically have different regulations regarding how developers can use land and what buildings they can build. Recently, outdated zoning laws have hindered Edmonton’s climate goals and development in urban areas, which I will show in this paper.

Even after zoning reform, the public remains concerned about the influence of big-money developers. However, Edmontonians are also uneasy about a more significant tax burden due to economic uncertainty. I propose regular 20-year zoning bylaw revisions, creating an inventory of unutilised and underutilised public land, and taking steps towards common land ownership. These solutions combine Edmonton’s future with current sustainability and development goals in mind. I also propose the creation of a land value tax and will show why it would be the most viable source of revenue for the city. This would reshape land ownership in Edmonton and Canada while boosting potential government resources.