The responsible management of stormwater is essential to protecting our waterways, but it may also present an opportunity to supplement water supply. For more information check out these resources: WaterSMART | A Hazen Company https://watersmartsolutions.ca/ Canada WaterPortal https://waterportal.ca/ Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership https://alidp.org/
Suburban areas have large amounts of green space and concrete that contribute to urban heat island effects. Find out the benefits of transforming these spaces into ecosystems for native pollinators! Join Oscar Zapata and Ana Hidalgo to learn about ecosystem services from native pollinator gardens! For more information check out these resources: Transforming suburban areas: A marketplace for urban ecosystem services https://tinyurl.com/nativpollgardens Pollinator plants catalogue - Native species in the Prairies: https://research-groups.usask.ca/urban-ecoservices/documents/pollinators-catalogue.pdf
Ecosystems provide numerous benefits to the health and wellbeing of our communities and the planet. How do perceptions of ecosystems and their benefits influence urban development? For more information check out these resources: The influence of ecosystem service values on green infrastructure and urban development: insights from 5 Canadian municipalities https://tinyurl.com/ecosysvalues The application of property rights in ecosystem service markets: https://tinyurl.com/ecosysproprights
Forest fires, drought and flooding are among the many climate impacts experienced by communities all across Alberta. Local planners face the constant challenge of creating effective adaptation strategies, but when should communities consider relocation and how do we plan for it? For more information check out these resources: Local planning for climate induced relocation: A systematic review https://tinyurl.com/reloctnali Understanding risk communication in Alberta’s municipalities: https://tinyurl.com/riskcomali
If you have owned or stayed at a cabin or lake house anywhere in the province, chances are you’ve visited one of Alberta most unique municipalities, the summer village. Due to their small and impermanent populations, these communities face unique land use and planning challenges. Join professional planner, Craig Thomas, to learn more about planning challenges in summer villages. For more information check out these resources: Rights intrusion and land use planning inequalities in Alberta’s summer villages: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02697459.2024.2358280 Municipal Boundary Battles: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/alberta-land-institute/research/municipal-annexations-in-alberta-good-bad-or-inevitable.html
Studies have revealed that soil and all of the complex systems that exist within the soil are being altered by our changing climate. This, in turn, is affecting our ability to grow crops and provide food security for our growing populations. Join the Alberta Land Institute for the first ever live episode of the Land Use Podcast where postdoctoral researcher, Yuge Bai, will discuss how biochar may be able to improve soil health in Alberta under future climate conditions. For more information check out these resources: Soil Health: Policy, Science, and Law in Action: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/alberta-land-institute/research/soil-health-policy-science-and-law-in-action.html Climate Change and Soil Dynamics: Effects on Soil Microbes and Fertility of Soil: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128164839000037 Evaluation of the Use of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Soil Amendment—A Review: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/9/5309
Edmonton’s iconic river valley is home to multiple golf courses, but are these exclusive green spaces the best use of this land? How do golf courses intersect with biodiversity preservation and water conservation? Learn about golf courses as land use in Edmonton with the University of Alberta’s Arshdeep Kaur and Damian Collins. For more information check out these resources: Golf as Land Use: The Case of Edmonton, Alberta https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/e22a6925-51b2-46b3-9d12-944b58f7b58f Opinion: Golf courses aren't a fair way to use Edmonton's river valley https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-golf-courses-arent-a-fair-way-to-use-edmontons-river-valley
Carbon capture and storage is an effective tool in the global effort to mitigate climate change, but many feel this technology is controversial. How does the public feel about cross-border transport and storage of carbon? Cross-border CO2 transport decreases public acceptance of carbon capture and storage https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02023-0 NORSAR Ensure- Effective monitoring of long-term site stability for transparent carbon capture and storage hazard assessment. https://ensure.norsar.no/
Across Canada there are 400 thousand abandoned oil and gas wells with over 172 thousand of those in Alberta. With Provincial campaigns yielding underwhelming results, and the high cost of remediation, it’s worth considering other uses for these wells. Join Mohammad Zolfagharroshan from McGill University to discuss the geothermal energy potential from abandoned oil and gas wells in Alberta on the latest episode of the Land Use Podcast. For more information check out these resources: Assessment of geothermal energy potential from abandoned oil and gas wells in Alberta, Canada https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261924014867 Oil and gas liabilities management (Government of Alberta) https://www.alberta.ca/oil-and-gas-liabilities-management
Municipal boundary adjustments like amalgamation and annexation can have a significant impact on municipalities. So why do these boundary adjustments happen? Join Sandeep Agrawal to discuss the recently released book “Municipal Boundary Battles” and learn about the motivations behind boundary adjustments and how municipalities are affected. For more information check out these resources: Municipal Boundary Battles https://ualbertapress.ca/9781772127454/municipal-boundary-battles/ Land annexation in Alberta: what you need to know https://www.ualberta.ca/en/science/news/2018/november/annexation-in-alberta.html
Urban farms have a number of environmental benefits and have often been discussed as solutions to food security issues, but there is another, less discussed benefit: community building! Find out more from the latest episode of the Land Use Podcast.
With a 2050 net-zero goal on the horizon, Alberta is going to have to turn to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. But how do landowners feel about the development of wind power? Are these perspectives connected to political affiliation? Learn more from our latest podcast episode with John Parkins. For more information check out these resources: Unraveling the link between political polarization and wind energy perspectives: Insights from a survey of agricultural landowners in Alberta, Canada: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0958305X231199150 Assessing motivations and barriers to renewable energy development: Insights from a survey of municipal decision-makers in Alberta, Canada: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484723007680 Renewable energy developments in Alberta to face strict new rules: https://www.cbc.ca/news/can
As Alberta faces drought, how do we work with water licence holders to ensure Albertans have access to water? Find out more from our latest podcast episode with Lorraine Nicol. For more information check out these resources: Priority? Licence transfers? Here's how Alberta's water system works: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/priority-licence-transfers-here-s-how-alberta-s-water-system-works-drought-1.7115044 Municipal Development and Alberta's Water Management Framework (PDF)(on pg 27): https://www.albertaplanners.com/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/files/PlanNW_Fall2017_WaterIssue_WEB.pdf Modeling Sustainable Land and Water Policy in Alberta’s Irrigation Sector: https://www.albertalandinstitute.ca/research/research-projects/project/Alberta-irrigation-sustainable-land-and-water-policy Alberta government Water for Life strategy: https://www.alberta.ca/water-for-life-strategy
An increase in greenhouse gasses is the main culprit of climate change around the globe with 50 to 60 per cent of emissions being produced by cities. Find out more about how neighbourhood carbon emissions are contributing in this podcast episode with Nilusha Welegedara. For more information check out these resources: Household energy-related carbon footprint in residential neighbourhoods in high-latitude cities: A case of Edmonton in Canada https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670723007084 Exploring spatiotemporal changes of the urban heat Island effect in high-latitude cities at a neighbourhood level: A case of Edmonton, Canada https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670723000148 Variations in direct greenhouse gas emissions across neighbourhoods: A case of Edmonton in Canada https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010021002900 What does neighbourhood climate action look like? A scoping literature review https://www.nature.com/articles/s44168-022-00009-2
Healthy soils are essential for food production, so how can you protect soil health in your garden? Learn about the basics of soil health in this episode based on the “Community Resource Guide: Sustainable Healthy Soils in Alberta” by Sukhwinder Singh, research funded in part by AREF. For more information on soil health check out these resources: Community Resource Guide: Sustainable Healthy Soils in Alberta https://www.albertalandinstitute.ca/public/download/files/229346 Soil Health Workshop report https://www.albertalandinstitute.ca/public/download/files/229352
Why should soil health matter to you? Come learn about soil health in Alberta with Sukhwinder Singh! We talk about the state of soil health in Alberta and Canada and how policy could be used to protect soil health. For more information on soil health check out these resources: Community Resource Guide: Sustainable Healthy Soils in Alberta https://www.albertalandinstitute.ca/public/download/files/229346 Soil Health Workshop report https://www.albertalandinstitute.ca/public/download/files/229352 Soil Erosion Risk Indicator (Government of Canada) https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/environment/resource-management/indicators/soil-erosion-risk-indicator
Curious about what kind of research went into the City of Edmonton’s Zoning Bylaw Renewal? Sandeep Agrawal talks about how his research informed the new bylaw’s equitable approach to zoning. For more information on the zoning bylaw renewal check out these resources: Assessing inequity in zoning bylaw: a case of Edmonton, Canada https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/ZoningBylaw_ThroughLensofEquity_Report.pdf?cb=1701372302 City of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw document library https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_planning_and_design/zoning-bylaw-renewal-studies-reports Edmonton's New Zoning Bylaw https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_planning_and_design/zoning-bylaw-renewal Making Space Podcast https://transforming.edmonton.ca/msp/
EPISODE 3- WE'RE BACK! What's the deal with Edmonton's Zoning bylaw renewal? Join ALI's Aysha Wu and City of Edmonton City Planner Trevor Illingworth to learn all about zoning, the bylaw renewal and what's next for zoning in Edmonton. For more information on the zoning bylaw renewal check out these resources: Bylaw Renewal Library https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_planning_and_design/zoning-bylaw-renewal-studies-reports Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_planning_and_design/zoning-bylaw-renewal City Plan https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_vision_and_strategic_plan/city-plan Making Space Podcast https://transforming.edmonton.ca/msp/
How to grow and protect agricultural land in Alberta. Hosted by ALI Communications Coordinator Evan Menzies with Dr. Brent Swallow from the University of Alberta. Dr. Swallow was a co-PI on a recently released report through the Alberta Land Institute, which estimated the economic impact of agricultural land fragmentation and conversion in Alberta.
Our PILOT EPISODE! Join Dr. Eran Kaplinsky and Dr. Dave Poulton as they dive into a discussion on property rights, what rights landowners have and what powers government's have in creating public policy governing private land use.