The Way We Live: Edmonton's People Plan ... - City of Edmonton

City of edmonton programs and services add to the attractiveness of our urban
landscape. From developing, building, operating and maintaining parks, encouraging
public art and creating safe, inviting year-round spaces alive with activities, the City of
edmonton plays a key role in ensuring edmonton is a city residents are proud to show off.
supporting the creation of attractive, inviting, commercial areas is the goal of two
City programs. a first in alberta, edmonton’s development incentive Fund supports
revitalizing and reinvesting in edmonton’s higher need commercial areas. property
owners are offered financial incentives and guidelines to invest in new development or
redevelopment of their property which ultimately adds to the attractiveness of the area.
the City’s Facade improvement program provides grants to encourage commercial
building owners to invest in facade renovations and storefront upgrades to create more
attractive and inviting streetscapes, build civic pride and promote the marketability
of business areas. the program has been well received and well used by edmonton area
businesses.
edmonton’s downtown arts district added a signature building when the bold new art
Gallery of alberta (aGa) opened to the public on january 31, 2010. the Randall stout
designed building is itself as an attraction, in addition to the three floors of exhibition
space that showcases historical and contemporary Canadian and international art.
Keeping true to the goal of creating an attractive city, edmonton boasts a comprehensive
new public art master plan that charts a principled and creative approach to expanding
the array of art in edmonton’s public realm. City of edmonton policy now allocates one
percent of the capital budget of qualifying municipal projects for public art. the policy
has resulted in 10 public art pieces nearing completion with eight others beginning
production.
though a relatively young city, edmonton is committed to identifying, preserving and
adapting its significant historical resources that contribute to its urban landscape and
cultural heritage. the renovated prince of Wales armouries is an example of this. the
armouries now provides attractive meeting space and houses the edmonton archives and
two community museums. edmonton received the Heritage Canada Foundation’s prince
of Wales prize for municipal Heritage leadership, given to municipalities demonstrating
a strong and sustained commitment to the conservation and preservation of its historic
places. it is only the second city in Western Canada to be awarded the prize.
From preserving the past to inspiring the present, the City values the role a vibrant,
attractive night life brings to the energy of edmonton. the City of edmonton plays a
leadership role in Responsible Hospitality edmonton (RHe), a community-wide, multidisciplined
initiative established by the City to oversee and support the management of
bars, licensed venues and hospitality zones. through a balanced combination of education
and enforcement, the City is working with venue owners and patrons to encourage socially
responsible behaviour.
81
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - 7/10/2012