Edmonton’s population is on track to hit 2 million people by 2040. We got curious about what might be next in our city’s urban planning. And it turns out, there could be quite a bit of inspiration from the Philippines. On this episode, our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, explores the idea of participatory urban planning. This concept empowers citizens to participate in the design of their city, so that people can achieve self-reliance, sustainable development and social justice. This isn’t the first time we’ve covered the topic of urban planning. In  2021, Julian Faid joined us to produce the Trailhead Series: a history […]

On this episode, Julian Faid presents the final installment of Trailheads: A History of Urban Planning in Edmonton. We’ve covered a lot of ground in this series. We’ve looked at the pre-fort and post fort history Edmonton. How WWII influenced urban design decisions. How the personal vehicle has guided the way we prioritize our streets. How public transit shapes our city. And the challenges that come with designing an urban environment in an place that faces some of the longest winters in the world. In the sixth part of this special series, Julian is joined by Andrew Knack, City Councillor […]

In part 5 of Trailheads, Julian Faid explores the challenges of urban design in a winter city. In the first half of the episode we’ll hear from Jill Robertson, a landscape architect and a principal at Dialog’s Edmonton urban design studio. Robertson will help us understand urban design though the lens of accessibility, which is a major issue in a city like Edmonton where winter is an ever-looming challenge. In the second half of the episode, Julian is joined by Dr. Robin Mazumder, an environmental neuroscientist who studies the psychological impacts of urban design.  Dr. Mazumder will discuss how design choices, particularly in […]

In part 4 of Trailheads, Julian Faid explores the history, present and future of Public Transit in Edmonton. In the first half of the episode we’ll hear from Dr. Emily Grise, an assistant professor at University of Alberta and the School of Urban and Regional Planning. Dr. Grise will shine some light on public transit through the lens of the economy, and how good public transit is key to building a “world Class” city. In the second half of the episode, Julian is joined by Danika McConnell and Carter Gorzitza from Free Transit Edmonton. Danika and Carter will shift the […]