As Edmonton grows into a healthy, urban and climate-resilient city of 2 million people, the City is focusing on strengthening downtown as a people-first neighbourhood: a place where more people can live, belong and thrive.
Downtown sits within O-day’min — meaning “heart berry” — a ward whose name reflects the area's long-standing role as the heart of our city and a place of gathering, exchange and connection.
Growing the residential population downtown is essential to creating a vibrant and resilient core. More people living downtown strengthens community life, supports the economy, activating parks and public spaces and sustains activity beyond the traditional workday.
The Downtown Policy Update will bring together the existing Capital City Downtown Plan (15.42 MB) and The Quarters Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan into a single, modernized policy framework within the Central District Plan. By consolidating and updating the City’s land use, mobility and urban design direction, we can better support housing growth, walkability, inclusive public spaces and the everyday amenities that make downtown an exciting place to live, work and play.
The Downtown Policy Update will:
- Streamline and modernize policy direction to support greater downtown livability, housing choice, population stability, economic activity and public realm investment
- Establish a dedicated, comprehensive downtown policy chapter within the Central District Plan to better align with the City Plan
- Align policy with implementation tools, funding decisions and future planning work
Why This Work Matters
A thriving downtown needs more than daytime activity alone. To support local businesses, public spaces, and long-term economic health, downtown must also be a neighbourhood. By strengthening the conditions that encourage people to live downtown, the City can support ongoing activity, economic resilience and a more inclusive city centre over time.
Engagement
Engagement in spring 2026 will inform recommended policy updates alongside technical and market analyses.
Feedback collected will build on:
- Previous downtown and Quarters engagement
- Targeted conversations with residents, businesses and community organizations
- Internal collaboration across City teams working in the downtown area
Keep Up to Date
What we hear will help shape priorities, identify trade-offs and inform policy direction. If you are interested in signing up for project notifications, please email downtownpolicyupdate@edmonton.ca.
Phase 1 – Gather Information
September 2025 to March 2026: Policy Review and Analysis
- Review of existing downtown and Quarters policies
- Alignment with The City Plan and related initiatives
April to August 2026: Engagement and Draft Policy Direction
- Public and external partner engagement
- Develop policy update recommendations
- Present to Urban Planning Committee, Fall 2026
Phase 2 – Prepare Policy Updates and Bylaws
Fall 2026 to Spring 2027: Develop, Refine and Finalize Policy
- Develop draft policy updates
- Public and stakeholder engagement
- Policy refinement based on feedback
Summer 2027 to Fall 2027: Prepare and Advance Bylaws
- Final policy documentation and reporting
- Plan amendment and approvals
- Present to City Council Public Hearing