'Record-setting' boom in development driven by new zoning rules and new LRT
CBC
Construction of new residential and commercial spaces is booming in Edmonton, influenced by new relaxed zoning rules as well as a longer-term trend of neighbourhoods being reshaped by the city's expanding LRT.
In a recent year-in-review report, the City of Edmonton's development services department called 2024 a "record-setting year for growth."
The city awarded 50 per cent more residential development and building permits than it did in 2023, with the overall value of construction permits at $4.2 billion, a 31 per cent growth from the year before.
"I'm not shocked," Coun. Andrew Knack said about the numbers. "Thinking about the growth that we've been seeing, it's just continuing to explode in our city."
The councillor for Ward Nakota Isga said 2023 and '24 saw an influx of people moving to Edmonton from other parts of Canada, and the development boom reflects that.
"You really started to see people in other parts of the country realize just how much more affordable almost all of Alberta is — but when it comes to a major city, how much more affordable Edmonton in particular is."
Edmonton's new zoning bylaw went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, allowing more diverse and dense types of housing in all parts of the city. In residential zones, the new bylaw allows eight or more housing units to be built on a single lot.
Almost 16,000 net new dwelling units were approved in 2024, of which more than 6,000 were classed as row houses, backyard housing or secondary suites.
According to David Cooper, a transportation planner and consultant with Leading Mobility, Edmonton has — and is — building a significant amount of LRT, which is driving development.
"Rapid transit projects do sometimes spur changes in the urban form to build more housing," said Cooper, who is the lead author on a national report called Housing is on the Line. It makes recommendations on how transit can help Canada's housing issues.
Edmonton now has three LRT lines: the Capital Line, Metro Line and Valley Line Southeast. The Valley Line West is under construction and the Capital Line extension has been approved. The city also plans to extend the Metro line to the northwest of Castle Downs.
In Edmonton, Cooper said transit-oriented developments — or TODs — are evident in areas along the Valley Line Southeast LRT, like Bonnie Doon, Strathearn, Holyrood and Mill Woods Town Centre.
"There's areas that will see development happen over time. We've had TODs occur in Edmonton that are multi-phase: Century Park still getting built out."
With growth comes a wealth of new amenities, he added.
Construction of new residential and commercial spaces is booming in Edmonton, influenced by new relaxed zoning rules as well as a longer-term trend of neighbourhoods being reshaped by the city's expanding LRT.
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