Chinatown

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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.

Chinatown Gate Design

The City of Edmonton is currently working with the City of Harbin and Edmonton’s Chinese community on the design of a new Chinatown Gate.

City Investments in Chinatown

The City has invested over $2 million towards community recovery efforts in Chinatown and over $40 million towards neighbourhood infrastructure improvements.

Chinatown Events

This events listing is a public service to share information about events and activities in Edmonton that celebrate Chinatown as a cultural destination.

Hosting an Event?

Promote your upcoming event or activity that celebrates the cultures and heritage of Chinatown.

Submit an Event

Note: Events submitted will be reviewed and may be accepted or denied if they do not meet the following criteria.

Festivals, events, workshops, art exhibits, town halls and forums
Open to the general public (free or paid)
Taking place in or near the Chinatown area and in support of Chinatown's cultures or heritage

To cancel or change information in an approved event submission, please email chinatown@edmonton.ca.

3,500

Yearly visitors from across Edmonton

$40 million

Towards neighbourhood infrastructure improvements

850

Businesses within the Chinatown Business Improvement Area

Grants and Funds

Chinatown Recovery Fund

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.

Chinatown Vibrancy Fund

The Chinatown Vibrancy Fund supports the implementation of the Chinatown Strategy by bringing visitors into the area through festivals, events and cultural projects. It also builds community cohesion and empowers residents, both housed and unhoused. There is no minimum or maximum amount for individual projects. Increased visitors benefit Chinatown businesses, supporting the local economy.

The City’s $1,440,000 investment in 41 Chinatown Vibrancy Fund projects since 2024 is driving exponential community growth. Every dollar invested by the City is working harder over time through increased community matching. Community partners matched 41 cents per City dollar in 2024, and that contribution is projected to rise to 81 cents in 2025, and reach approximately $1.18 by 2026. This model ensures that public funds yield maximum local impact. See the list of Vibrancy Fund projects.

Current City Projects

Chinatown

A new Chinatown gate to replace the original version that was located on 102 Avenue. Completion is expected by 2027.

Mary Burlie Park

Park renewal aims to improve safety, accessibility and overall use of the open space in addition to repairing or replacing existing infrastructure. Completion is expected in 2026.

Chinatown Vibrancy Projects

The City has invested over $1,440,000 in 41 projects under the Chinatown Vibrancy Fund since 2024.

Chinatown Chow Down

This initiative aims to create community connections through culinary experiences, including planned group meals, food crawls and incentive programs.

Summer Festival

A yearly one-day festival showcasing the cultural heritage of Chinatown through a series of performances like singing, dancing, martial arts, dragon dance, lion dance and more.

Azure Dragon of the East

The second of a four-mural series called the Four Guardians of Chinatown painted by local artist Branden Cha (Busyrawk). Each mural depicts mythical beasts from Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese ancestral lore.

Chinatown Strategy

A Broad Economic Approach

The Chinatown Strategy is a broad economic development approach supported by placemaking and actionable community-led programming components. It was built from the Chinatown Urban Interface Plan ()and the Economic Development Plan ()for Chinatown.

Development Pillars

The Strategy is built around five development pillars with supporting actions, all of which contribute collectively to guide Edmonton's Chinatown into the future:

Improve sense of safety and security
Focused economic development
Celebrate Chinatown as a destination
Enhance built form and landmarks

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

Supporting the Strategy Pillars

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:

Chinatown has free 3-hour parking to increase accessibility to the neighbourhood’s businesses and restaurants. EPark is free in zones 4001 to 4009, 4012 to 4014, 4017 to 4025 and 4032. A map of zones can be found on the EPark map
Neighbourhood Community Development has been strengthening community safety through relationship building at neighbourhood events
The City has provided $800,000 in grants to the Chinatown and Area Business Association to help fund private security resources in and throughout Chinatown
The City provided the $1 million Chinatown Recovery Fund for post-pandemic recovery projects

Chinatown Strategy Report Card

The revalidated Chinatown Strategy is a broad economic development approach supported by placemaking and actionable community-led programming components. The Strategy is built around four development pillars with supporting actions, all of which contribute collectively to guide Edmonton's Chinatown into the future.

Pillar A

Improve Sense of Safety and Security - Strengthen safety and security in Chinatown to contribute to a strong sense of a vibrant and inclusive place. (Actions 1-3)

Info:

The City identified 33 encampment sites in 2025 with 31 individual reports received from the community
169 incidents were reported and addressed at the Quarters LRT Stop in 2025, including trespassing, smoking violations, fare evasion, medical incident, drug and liquor use, assault and obstruction
225 graffiti complaints were investigated in 2025
Problem Property Initiative identified and inspected 32 problem properties in 2025

Pillar B

Business Diversification - Catalyze an environment for renewed interest and investment in Chinatown. (Actions 4-6)

Info:

264 businesses with 2,892 employees within the Chinatown Business Improvement Area
- 97.4% of businesses provide services rather than goods
4 new businesses were funded through Recovery Funding in Chinatown North
Chinatown has free three-hour parking to increase accessibility to the neighbourhood’s businesses and restaurants

Pillar C

Celebrate Chinatown as a Cultural Destination - Highlight Chinatown as a cultural destination that is treasured by residents and visitors. (Actions 7-10)

Info:

$480,000 invested towards festivals and cultural events in 2025
- 14 projects received full or partial funding from the City
Over 16 events held in Chinatown with some multi-day events in 2025
- Over 16,000 event attendees

Pillar D

Chinatown Infrastructure Capital Plan - Leverage the buildings, landmarks and streetscapes of Chinatown. (Actions 11-16)

Info:

McCauley Neighbourhood Renewal project received an approved budget of $64.5 million
Additional $10.1 million allocated on infrastructure projects specific to Chinatown composit
Total budget for the new Chinatown Gate is $8.7 million
Regular maintenance includes: street sweeping, graffiti removal, public restroom servicing and park cleanup

Chinatown Newsletter

Stay up to date with events, festivals, grants, engagement opportunities, and actions related to the Chinatown Strategy through the monthly Chinatown Newsletter.

History

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.

Contact Us

Brett Latchford

Title	Director of Strategy and Emerging Economy
Email	brett.latchford@edmonton.ca

Chinatown

Chinatown Gate Design

City Investments in Chinatown

Hosting an Event?

3,500

$40 million

850

Chinatown Recovery Fund

Chinatown Vibrancy Fund

Chinatown Vibrancy Projects

A Broad Economic Approach

Development Pillars

Supporting the Strategy Pillars

Chinatown Strategy Report Card

Pillar A

Pillar B

Pillar C

Pillar D

Chinatown Newsletter

Related Documents

Related Links

Contact Us

Brett Latchford