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The revitalization focus in Chinatown creates a ripple effect. A Chinatown that’s a safe and welcoming place for businesses, residents, students and visitors allows each group to contribute to Edmonton’s overall vibrancy and economic success.
The City of Edmonton is currently working with the City of Harbin and Edmonton’s Chinese community on the design of a new Harbin Gate.
The $1 million Chinatown Recovery Fund supported post-pandemic recovery projects in the Chinatown community. The fund has been fully expended and a report is underway. See the list of projects.
The Chinatown Vibrancy Fund aims to support the implementation of the Chinatown Strategy by bringing visitors into the area through festivals, events and cultural projects as well as building community cohesion and empowering residents both housed and unhoused. There is no minimum or maximum amount for individual projects.
See the list of Vibrancy Fund projects.
This events listing is a public service to share information about events and activities in Edmonton that celebrate Chinatown as a cultural destination.
Promote your upcoming event or activity that celebrates the cultures and heritage of Chinatown.
Note: Events submitted will be reviewed and may be accepted or denied if they do not meet the following criteria.
To cancel or change information in an approved event submission, please email chinatown@edmonton.ca.
The Chinatown Strategy (10.55 MB) is a broad economic development approach supported by placemaking and actionable community-led programming components. It was built from the Chinatown Urban Interface Plan (33.47 MB) and the Economic Development Plan (40.98 MB) for Chinatown.
The Strategy is built around five development pillars with supporting actions, all of which contribute collectively to guide Edmonton's Chinatown into the future:
The directions of each pillar were guided by Chinatown cultural organizations, the retail and business sector and community organizations.
While the City played a role in the development of the strategy, it is community-driven, and it will be collaborative community-based partnerships that drive the success of the strategy. The strategy is in the process of being revalidated by the City and its partners, and it will be re-released in 2024
One way the City is helping to support the five pillars of the Chinatown Strategy is through Edmonton’s Downtown Core and Transit System Safety Plan. The plan launched in 2022 outlines the various initiatives the City has activated to help build safety in the neighbourhood and to revitalize Chinatown.
The following actions are currently underway:
Edmonton’s original Chinatown emerged more than 100 years ago in the area around Jasper Avenue and 97 Street, where a number of merchants established businesses to cater to the growing Chinese population.
With confirmation of the construction of Canada Place for Government of Canada offices, Chinatown began the movement to 102 Avenue, between 95 and 97 streets, in the 1980s. This area continues to be home to the community’s family associations, multi-culture centre and seniors residences. Businesses located north of this area, primarily along 97 Street. This gave way to a second concentration of Chinese commercial establishments commonly known today as Chinatown.
Over the years, retail trends have continued to evolve, and goods and services that had traditionally only been available in Chinatown, such as grocery, herbal medicines and specialty services can now easily be found across Edmonton. This has led to a fall in visitation, which combined with some of the disorder issues, has affected the area's vibrancy.
Regional and city-wide consumer demand for unique and exciting shopping, cultural and culinary destinations have grown, and Chinatown represents a significant opportunity to highlight its distinct identity as a destination within the City. Various initiatives have taken place to provide a broader investment strategy to help the area become prosperous and economically resilient.
| Title | Director of Strategy and Emerging Economy |
|---|---|
| brett.latchford@edmonton.ca |