River Valley, Natural Areas, and Park Planning

The Ecological Network Report (ENR) is a tool used by the City to assess the ecological features of an area before development. The ENR is used at the Area Structure Plan (ASP) and Neighbourhood Structure Plan (NSP) planning stages and is split into 2 phases. 

Phase I is used for ASPs and is designed to:

• Identify and assess the structure, function, and integrity of the ecological network within the plan area 
• Consider the ecological network within the broader landscape
• Identify key components of the ecological network that the City should secure
• Ensure that development is tailored to the ecological network
• Outline recommendations to maximize the protection of the identified ecological network

For more information, please see the Phase I Ecological Network Report Terms of Reference .

Phase II is used for NSPs and builds on the work from Phase I. Phase II collects site-specific information and identifies anticipated ecological impacts of the proposed development and corresponding mitigation measures.

Additional areas to retain or measures to apply may be identified via the ENR Phase II. For more information, please see the Phase II Ecological Network Report Terms of Reference .

A Parkland Impact Assessment (PIA) is a tool to ensure the compilation of open space-related data to enable parks planners and developers to plan for and assess parkland requirements and are provided at the ASP and NSP planning stages.

The PIA is prepared with regard for the parkland classification system, and the  Urban Parks Management Plan principles, standards and guidelines. Developers are encouraged to discuss their proposals at an early stage so that the unique characteristics of new development areas and identified municipal needs are taken into consideration.

The  Interim Parkland Impact Assessment (PIA) Terms of Reference are based on current Urban Parks Management Plan principles, targets, and guidelines, but also take into consideration recently adopted policies and guidelines to assemble parks and open spaces such as Breathe. As further work on Breathe implementation is completed, these terms of reference will be comprehensively updated to reflect the new standards.

A Community Knowledge Campus Needs Assessment (CKCNA) is a tool that reflects the City of Edmonton CKC Needs Assessment Guidelines while following the provisions of the Municipal Government Act and Joint Use Agreement. It began with the Future School Sites Summary Report.

A CKC Needs Assessment is prepared at the ASP and NSP planning stages. The assessment guidelines provide the necessary framework using an enhanced land use planning methodology for the prevention of vacant school sites and enhancement of future school site opportunities (such as partnerships, planning or design) and delivery.

Using these guidelines, completion of a CKC Needs Assessment provides a clear planning framework for the effective delivery of lifelong learning and community service opportunities in newly developing areas of Edmonton. This work complements the PIA, but provides additional information relevant to school and community league sites.

The Top of Bank Policy, Policy C542A - Development Setbacks From River Valley/Ravine Crests, is designed to protect the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System from urban development that could compromise its integrity and long-term stability.

The policy includes the establishment of an Urban Development Line to delineate developable and non-developable (ER) land and ensure that private and public property is reasonably safe from slope instability and failure. Additionally, this policy is used to optimize public access to the upland portion along the edge of the river valley and ravine system. 

The policy provides direction as to the appropriate Upland Setback and appropriate top-of-bank road frontage, and must be incorporated at the ASP, NSP, rezoning, and subdivision stages.

Implementation of this policy occurs at the ASP, NSP, rezoning, and subdivision stages. A Top-of-Bank walk must be scheduled in advance of planned development, to help assess and delineate the slope in conjunction with Policy C542A. Read more information on the Top of Bank walk . Geotechnical reporting is also required.

According to the Public Lands Act, the Province of Alberta owns the bed and shore of all permanent and naturally occurring water bodies. As well, the use and/or diversion of waters is managed by Alberta Environment through the administration of the Water Act.

Applications must be made to the province for review of bed and shore claims and for approvals for any alteration of wetlands and other naturally occurring water bodies. These should be made at the earliest planning stage possible, and the City of Edmonton may require documentation indicating the results of these applications.

Requirements for compensation may be imposed by Alberta Environment for wetlands that are lost or altered as a result of urban development. The Wetland Strategy (12.92 MB) provides further direction as to municipal goals with respect to retention and encouraging compensation within City boundaries, and there may be some wetlands that are retained by the City under municipal protection outside of the provincial process.

The delineation of a wetland, and associated wetland boundary, should follow the City of Edmonton’s Guidelines for Determining Environmental Reserve Dedication . These guidelines have been developed for determining an appropriate buffer zone for wetlands and other water bodies with respect to lands to be dedicated as Environmental Reserve (ER), and must be incorporated at the ASP, NSP, rezoning, and subdivision stages.

They are based on several sources of information including a literature review and guidelines from other jurisdictions. For a more thorough explanation of the rationale for these guidelines, please see the accompanying Background Document for ER Guidelines .

Fit studies identify a preliminary program for a park site and confirm that common amenities (sports fields, playgrounds, passive space) as well as relevant school buildings/community league areas can be accommodated within the boundaries of the park. These studies are intended to be a high-level spatial analysis for future park sites that align with existing policy and strategies and support the open space requirements for both internal and external partners.

Fit studies may be requested to assist in the evaluation of Area Structure Plan or Neighbourhood Structure Plan amendments which may have an impact on the size or configuration of parks and open spaces. Early consideration of the future programming and spatial layout of park sites will:

• Ensure that school building envelopes and community league sites are appropriately sited within park sites with consideration of adjacent uses and transportation networks
• Identify opportunities for the retention of natural features and areas where future restoration/naturalization may be warranted
• Provide direction to inform future utility servicing of park sites

Joint Use Agreement (Land): Fit studies will guide the planning of joint-use school sites in accordance with the Joint Use Agreement. This includes working collaboratively with school board partners in the review and planning for joint-use sites. 

The City of Edmonton has developed the City-Wide Natural Area Management Plan (NAMP) to manage natural areas in the city effectively. This plan sets out common guiding principles and management strategies for all natural areas. Additionally, a Site-Specific Natural Area Management Plan is created for each new natural area, which provides additional guidance on the unique features and management strategies for that particular area.

The Site-Specific Natural Area Management Plans are required before rezoning and subdivision of lands within 250 metres of a natural area (where possible). Natural areas require less intensive and routine management compared to manicured parks. However, active and careful management is still important to maintain the ecological network in a rapidly growing urban area.

The Site-Specific Natural Area Management Plans should be informed by existing documents (such as Phase I and Phase II Ecological Network Reports) and focus on information that describes the unique features of the site. The Site-Specific Natural Area Management Plans should not include information that is already included in the City-Wide Natural Area Management Plan, and should be limited in length with relevant mapping appendices.

The intent of Site-Specific Natural Area Management Plans is to provide operational and planning information that can be used to effectively manage and maintain the natural area. For more information, please refer to the Guidelines for Developing Site-Specific Natural Area Management Plans in the City of Edmonton.