As you may be aware, the City of Edmonton is planning for a more sustainable future by encouraging Transit Oriented Development (TOD) around existing and future LRT Stations – almost 60 in total.

Transit Oriented Development refers to development that is planned and integrated around a transit station. Its aim is to create more attractive, liveable, and compact neighbourhoods based on pedestrian-friendly design and a well connected mix of land uses within roughly 400 meters walking distance of a transit station.

My work, alongside a team of talented consultants and committed community members, seeks to find out how TOD can strengthen and preserve the character of the McKernan and Belgravia neighbourhoods while capitalizing on the benefits of the existing LRT station. Put another way, we are looking at how we can make both community and LRT station work better together through TOD planning.

To date, we have conducted research on the area, spoken with local community leagues, and on November 22, 2011 held our first Public Open House Workshop at the McKernan Elementary Junior High School. We had an excellent turnout with about 120 people attending to hear about the project and share their own knowledge of the area with us. At the meeting, our team displayed some boards about the project followed by a presentation, a little Q&A, and then a series of break-out discussions based on a workbook we prepared to help facilitate things.

The information we collect will inform what policies, redevelopment concepts and design guidelines will best support TOD in McKernan and Belgravia neighbourhoods.

Overall I’d say we received excellent feedback from the Open House Workshop which we will post a summary of on our webpage when ready. This will help us ensure the project’s final recommendations are grounded in the community’s aspirations while reflecting local conditions, opportunities, constraints, and collective solutions. But don’t worry – there’s still time to have your say!

If you haven’t read the workbook and sent us your comments – please do! Alternatively, you can always share your thoughts here on this blog.

So I open it up to you… what do you think of the current area around the McKernan/Belgravia station? Do you walk and do errands in the area? How might the neighbourhood immediately around the LRT station change over time? What new uses or amenities could make the neighbourhood around the LRT station more interesting, attractive and liveable? What do you think? We want to know.

Forty years ago a unique planning process, the Mill Woods Development Concept, was set to transform urban development in Edmonton. The goal for Mill Woods was straightforward – create a place for people, a community with a strong sense of place, well connected to its surroundings.

Planning for Mill Woods began in 1969 to create a new city in a suburban environment that would one day be home to 120,000 people. Edmonton’s mayor at the time, Ivor Dent, described Mill Woods as having the potential to become a showpiece for urban growth. Mill Woods Town Centre was planned to be the urban heart of Mill Woods. Housing, shops, services and employment would be within a short walk of high speed transit and well connected through high quality public parks and open spaces.

This plan was never fully realized. The economy weakened through the 1980s. The pulse of Mill Woods Town Centre slowed as an LRT extension from downtown failed to materialize, residential densities came in lower then anticipated and commercial development took on a very car-oriented form.

Today there is new commitment to expand and invest in public transit. It is no longer a question if LRT service will arrive in Mill Woods but rather when. City Council has approved the concept of an LRT line to Mill Woods, and preliminary engineering work has begun. As a result we need to do things differently, plan our neighbourhoods better and encourage greater transit usage in more compact and walkable communities. 

Recently, we held our first public workshop to introduce the station area planning project for Mill Woods Town Centre. The Mill Woods Station Area Plan will explore opportunities for transit oriented development in Mill Woods Town Centre in advance of the arrival of LRT to Mill Woods. What we heard at our first workshop was a desire to firmly establish Mill Woods Town Centre as a focal point -a vibrant and exciting downtown – for Mill Woods. 

We’re excited to get underway with exploring how we as planners, in collaboration with residents and property owners, can begin to revisit and enhance Mill Wood’s urban heart.  Through the station area planning process we seek to transform the neighbourhood into something which better embodies the quality and character of the Mill Woods community. To quote from the 1970 Plan for Mill Woods, “The Mill Woods residents will look to their town centre for stimulation and enjoyment. Every effort should be directed to achieve this result.” Sometimes looking backwards provides the greatest direction to move forward.

Your comments are always welcome as we move forward with the Mill Woods Station Area Plan. Contact information and additional information is provided on the Mill Woods Station Area Plan webpage.

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, your host, Wade Sorochan, takes you inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen on iTunes

Listen to an interview:

• Downtown arena financial framework approved
• Home$aver Event
• Scona Road rehab completed

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

The City of Edmonton has launched a campaign to help motorists and cyclists learn to play nice.

As the City completes the construction of 21 kilometers of new on-street bike routes to help people choose cycling as a safe, healthy and efficient way to get around the city, motorists and cyclists will be sharing the road more and more.

With all the new routes and the pavement markings that come along with them, motorists and cyclists may be wondering what the new markings mean, and how they are expected to share the road.

One Road Safety Quiz

Start

Question 1

The new bike routes are made up of:

	Bike Lanes and Shared-Use Lanes
	Bike Lanes and Car Lanes Hint: Close...
	Shared-Use Lanes and Car-Only Lanes Hint: Close...
	None of the above Hint: Nope

Question 1 Explanation:Bike Routes are comprised of both Bike Lanes and Shared-Use Lanes. These cycle-friendly facilities are specially designed to support safe and efficient bicycle transportation.

Question 2

This symbol means:

	Blinged out bike ahead Hint: Nice try...
	Black diamond bike run – Only expert cyclists permitted Hint: Hit the ski hill...
	Bike Lane – Only bicycles between the solid lines
	Diamonds are a bike’s best friend Hint: Funny, but no.
	All of the above Hint: Keep trying...

Question 2 Explanation:Yes! This symbol marks a Bike Lane. Bike Lanes are dedicated to the exclusive use of bikes. Motorists can’t stop, park or drive on Bike Lanes. However, they can cross a Bike Lane when turning into accesses or driveways, or when parking is permitted between the curb and the bike lane.

Question 3

When the solid white line of a Bike Lane becomes dashed before an intersection drivers can…

	Look out for Pac Man Hint: Nom, nom, wrong...
	Enter the Bike Lane to turn right after ensuring it is safe to do so
	Do nothing, drivers can never enter or cross a Bike Lane Hint: They wish...
	Play hopscotch Hint: Sounds fun, but no...

Question 3 Explanation:Nice one! When the solid white line of a Bike Lane changes from solid to dashed, drivers drivers who want to turn right should do a safety check and then enter the lane.

Question 4

This symbol on the road tells us…

	Bikes love hats Hint: Fancy, but no...
	This is a Shared-Use Lane
	Bikes need houses too Hint: WRONG!
	Tandem bikes only Hint: Nope...

Question 4 Explanation:That's right! The symbol represents a Shared-Use Lane and the direction of traffic flow. Shared-Use Lanes indicate that the roadway is to be shared between motorists and cyclists. Shared-Use Lanes guide cyclists on the road and remind drivers to expect cyclists in their travel lane. The arrows on the symbol indicate the direction of traffic flow.

Question 5

Are cyclists required to ride on Bike Routes?

	Yes, bikes stay on bike routes and motorists drive everywhere else; that is why the bike routes were installed
	No, bikes don't belong on the roads at all.
	No, the bike routes are provided as an option to make it easier for cyclists to ride on city streets.

Question 5 Explanation:Good choice! Although cyclists are encouraged to use the bicycle routes, they are not required to travel within reserved bike lanes or shared-use lanes only. Cyclists can ride on all city streets.

Question 6

Do cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists?

	Heck Yeah, DUH!
	Nope Hint: Duh, no.

Question 6 Explanation:Cyclists and motorists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Everyone has to follow the rules of the road and deserves to be treated with respect.

There are 6 questions to complete.

List

Return Shaded items are complete.

1	2	3	4	5
6

Return

You have completed questions question Your score is Correct Wrong Partial-Credit You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost. Correct Answer You Selected Not Attempted Final Score on Quiz Attempted Questions Correct Attempted Questions Wrong Questions Not Attempted Total Questions on Quiz Question Details Results Date Score Time allowed minutes seconds Time used Answer Choice(s) Selected Question Text All doneNeed more practice!Keep trying!Not bad!Good work!Perfect!

Now that you are filled with knowledge about the new bike routes, remember to share the roads and be safe.

If you really want to be safety savvy, just visit OneRoad.ca

Edmonton, I’d like to introduce you to Wade Sorochan. Though chances are you’ve already met. After 30 years interviewing city residents, celebs and politicians on Edmonton’s airwaves, Wade’s become a respected voice and passionate spokesperson for being informed and getting involved in civic affairs.

That’s why we’re happy to welcome him as the new host of Edmonton This Week, our weekly radio show and podcast which starts its new season this Saturday, September 10, on 630 CHED (7:30 am and 6 pm).

I sat down with Wade to chat about his time as a broadcaster in Edmonton and why he thinks Edmonton this Week is an important way for people to stay informed and get involved.

Tell me a little about your time as a broadcaster in Edmonton.

Well, I was born and raised in Edmonton so have been fortunate to spend my whole career here. I started in radio back in 1980 when got my first break on CJCA’s Bill & Bill Show, which was then the top rated talk show in Alberta. I worked for a while behind the scenes then became a feature on the program, nicknamed “The Tone Arm” because of my knowledge of music and how I used music to enhance the show, which at the time was not really done in the talk show industry in North America.

I love talk and information radio and I eventually hosted my own talk show on CJCA called Life Talk With Wade Sorochan, which was similar to The Bill & Bill show in that it was really a two and a half hour free-for-all. We had guests like celebrities and experts, but I really just wanted to let Albertans talk about whatever they wanted to talk about. In the end, the show became very successful as one of Edmonton’s most interactive radio shows.

What are the ingredients for a great interview?

First it comes down to what makes a good interviewer: Someone who is a good listener, who is very inquisitive and knows the subject inside and out. If you have those qualities, your guest  will  feel comfortable responding to the questions and you’ll be prepared for a line of questioning that may arise that you didn’t plan on. You have to always be thinking about what the listener might want to know and try to provide that information through the interview.

What drew you to the City’s Edmonton this Week radio show on CHED?

I’ve always thought the show was a great vehicle for people to learn what’s going on in the city and about the programs and initiatives the City is constantly working to provide.

People don’t get a lot of opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and hear from the people who actually work to make Edmonton a world class city. There’s so much amazing work being done all the time and I think the more people learn, the more they will be proud of their city and the more they’ll get involved.

What do you hope listeners take away from the new season of Edmonton this Week?

They should take away the fact that this city is not stagnant. Especially these days you can almost feel it moving forward like a freight train; moving to be a leader in so many different areas – technology, transportation, economic revitalization. And when you hear that you think: ‘Wow, the City is really doing something for me here.’

When people get complacent I believe it’s because of a lack of knowledge. This show gives you that knowledge of what the City is doing and then hopefully you’ll understand that they’re doing it for you. To make your life better in the city that you live in. I hope we can really get to that this season.

One addition I’m excited for this season is a new chance to provide feedback on topics and suggestions for the show through email. People can get in touch with the show at etw[at]edmonton.ca (replace [at] with @) and let us know what they want to hear more of on the show. We really want the show to be timely with what’s happening this week. Hence, the title “Edmonton this Week” I guess (laughs).

What keeps you living and working in Edmonton after all these years?

I just love this city. Like everyone I gripe about the weather, but you know what? I have so much to be thankful for in Edmonton. My roots are here, my family, and when I look around at the growth and really feel the rhythms of the city there’s amazing things happening all around.

The more I stay informed, the more I really delve into what’s going on in the city, the more I’m invested in it. It becomes more than just a city. It becomes my city. And that’s an important feeling to have. I hope that I can bring some of that passion to my time as the host of Edmonton this Week.

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, or email the show at etw[at]edmonton.ca

Construction of the North LRT to NAIT is well underway. Crews have been working hard during the 2011 construction season, removing buildings, relocating utilities, and, most significantly, relocating roads such as Kingsway.

The project is on schedule to open to public service in April 2014. Obviously there’s lots of work planned between now and then. When the North LRT opens to service it will provide sustainable transportation options to thousands of Edmontonians, but as construction progresses the City and its contractors are always exploring ways to make North LRT construction as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.

So far the City has found a few ways to enhance sustainability during construction:

Asphalt and concrete
Asphalt removed from Kingsway and other roadworks is used as dust-free; clean surfacing for construction lay-down areas around the North LRT project. Excess material is recycled at the City’s aggregate recycling facility.

Buildings
The City avoids removing buildings for its capital projects as much as possible, but several buildings had to be removed from the North LRT right-of-way. Whenever feasible, houses are relocated rather than demolished (four houses were saved from the North LRT project). Materials such as wood, brick, concrete, steel and other metals from demolished buildings are recycled. Approximately 90 per cent of material from the removed buildings was retrieved through this process.

Alternative Transportation
A multi-use trail will be built adjacent to the North LRT in accordance with the City’s strategic plans, The Way We Move and The Way We Green. Both plans encourage people to use motor vehicles less and increase use of active modes of transportation (such as cycling, running and walking) and of transit.

Trees
Saving as many trees as possible is part of the City’s mandate. Trees obstructing the LRT right-of-way are relocated as often as possible; trees that can’t be relocated are removed, but the wood from the trees is donated to grade school landscape projects and artworks. Leftover organic material is chipped for use in tree wells throughout Edmonton, or mulched and composted.

Landscape
Extensive landscaping is incorporated into the North LRT design, to add green space and trees to Edmonton’s urban form.

Water
Design of the future MacEwan Station allows rainwater to be collected and used for irrigation.

LRT operation alone accomplishes sustainability initiatives. Once the North LRT to NAIT is in full operation it’s expected to add approximately 13,200 weekday riders to Edmonton’s LRT network.  Ridership will continue to grow exponentially as Edmonton continues to grow and the LRT extends further west, northwest, northeast, south and southeast.

Building and growing a sustainable city requires careful consideration of reusing and recycling whenever possible. As Edmonton continues to grow the City and its contractors have a responsibility to be ever conscious about the future – not only of Edmonton, but of the planet as a whole.

Recycling is only one of the many steps people can take to practice environmentalism.

To learn more about Edmonton’s environmental strategic plan, visit www.edmonton.ca/thewaywegreen.

To learn about various recycling programs in Edmonton, visit www.edmonton.ca/recycling

Meet Edmontonian Deanna Crozier and her family. They’ve lived in what is now called the Century Park area of south Edmonton since the early 1990s, in a townhouse development on Saddleback Road near 23rd Avenue. Like most suburban families in “outlying” areas as it was then, they drove everywhere – to work, to school, for shopping, for entertainment. In 1990, the LRT consisted only of the underground downtown stations and the northeast line past Commonwealth Stadium, the Coliseum, and on to Belvedere and Clareview. Out of sight and largely out of mind for south-side dwellers.

Eventually the LRT did make it across the river to the University of Alberta. Then, plans were announced to demolish the old and largely empty Heritage Mall on 111th Street and replace it with a new, urban development to be called Century Park. This new development would feature low- and high-rise residential apartments and condominiums, but also shopping, services and public parks and plazas.

Deanna says she and her family watched with interest and curiosity as the LRT finally reached Century Park, not far to the north and east of their home. They weren’t really sure what kind of impact it would have on them, if any, other than dealing with an LRT line and crossing points along 111th Street.

“As it turns out, it was the answer to all of our dreams that we didn’t even know we had,” says Deanna. “I would not have dreamed we would be so positive about the LRT, but you don’t really appreciate how convenient it is, and, I know this sounds a little over the top, how life changing it is once it is there.”

Deanna’s husband is a theatre technician and working on major productions requires him to be at venues like the Jubilee Auditorium, the Citadel and Winspear Theatres, the Milner Theatre at the Library and Rexall Place to name a few. He quickly found that the new LRT line can get him to all of those venues with no problems – spring, summer, fall and winter.

“He used to drive everywhere,” says Deanna. “Now his car basically doesn’t move. He takes the LRT everywhere.” He doesn’t have to fight traffic, pay for parking, or worry about plugging in and the other issues that driving to work used to pose for him.

Likewise, Deanna’s daughter is in university and works part time at the Jubilee Auditorium. The LRT is convenient and easy to catch for both places, but she also uses it regularly to meet friends at Southgate Mall or downtown, and travel to other appointments.

Deanna herself works at a location on the south side that isn’t on or near an LRT line, so she still drives to and from work. “But I never drive to meetings downtown anymore, I always take the LRT,” she says. “And we use it for everything else. For example, before the LRT was here if we went out for dinner or a movie, we mostly drove somewhere on the south side. Now we’re much more likely to hop on the LRT and go downtown.”

Deanna says her family doesn’t even use the Century Park Park N’ Ride much. In the summer, they will walk or take their bicycles to the station, while in winter or bad weather, they take a short walk to 23rd Avenue where they can catch a ride on one of many passing buses that connect to Century Park.

“It is really a different way of living. I just wouldn’t have dreamt that this would happen in our neighbourhood and how truly great it would be,” says Deanna.

It’s not surprising then that Deanna is a huge supporter of LRT expansion in general, and also of more Transit Oriented Development around new stations. She also is very supportive of the draft TOD Guidelines that the City have developed and have been gathering public feedback on for the past couple of months. Deanna and her family have now experienced TOD first hand, and she knows how great it can be.

As LRT expands in Edmonton, I look forward to hearing many more stories like Deanna’s!

Back in March, the City of Edmonton was chosen among 24 cities worldwide to be part of IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge – an initiative that recognizes cities that are revolutionizing the way they use data and technology to overcome infrastructure challenges and bring benefit to residents.

Being a part of this exclusive high-tech partnership means that Edmonton received $400,000 worth of consulting from the American technology giant. And for three weeks in May, a team of technical experts, researchers and consultants in transportation and business intelligence spent three weeks with City staff brainstorming what Edmonton’s future could look like. The conclusion? according to the Smarter Cities Challenge team, The City of Edmonton is well-positioned to be a global leader in smarter urban traffic safety.

The team looked at how to improve the integration, analysis and transmission of data that can be used for decision making across the City, with a specific focus on traffic safety issues and prioritization of road safety initiatives. Its report makes a number of recommendations regarding an integrated and safer transportation network for all modes: freight, transit, road, cyclist and pedestrian.

“Being named a 2011 IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant recipient recognizes Edmonton’s place as a global leader,” says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel. “This means that the City of Edmonton, with the support of industry experts, will use data to make our streets safer and flow more efficiently. We are starting with traffic safety as a priority that is of utmost importance to our citizens, but the applications of this project are city-wide.”

Other recommendations from the team include:

• Empower citizens with more timely traffic safety and transportation information via social media;

• Simplify performance measurements and align traffic safety measures to corporate outcomes;

• Create an Analytics Centre of Excellence to support a Road Safety data governance model and analytics leadership across the organization;

• Strengthen the governance and accountability of the City’s Office of Traffic Safety;

• Further support open government and open data for traffic safety and transportation.

According to Bernie Kollman, IBM vice president, Alberta Public Sector, “Our cities are challenged by rapid urbanization, aging infrastructure and disconnected systems. Cities are finding creative new ways to collaborate with public and private sector partners, and IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge is one of those opportunities. Edmonton is well placed to reach its urban traffic safety and transportation vision. The City has a strong culture of innovation and progressive citizen-focused services and has made significant investments in state-of-the-art road safety instrumentation.”

With the direction set, the City of Edmonton will continue to look at new ways of using technology and open data to collaborate with residents and transform the way we move in our city. It certainly feels like an exciting time.

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a competitive grant program in which IBM is awarding a total of $50 million worth of technology and services to 100 municipalities worldwide over the next three years.

Many scowl at summer construction season, a time when slow downs and detours impact our regular commute to work and play. But instead of using negative energy, why not look for the up-side?

I view this as an opportunity for all of us to re-think how we get around. To curb our reliance on cars and consider more eco-mobile choices that make getting around less stressful and even more enjoyable.

Eco-mobility, or active transportation, is a forward moving idea that the City of Edmonton is embracing in an effort to build a more sustainable healthy city.  It challenges us to look at how we travel and make eco-mobile choices like walking, cycling, or public transportation, to support the health of our city and our own health at the same time!

To help you warm up to this idea and take small action steps, consider these 5 great reasons for taking on an eco-mobile lifestyle this summer.

• Gets you up, out and physically active every day!
• Being more active and getting outdoors more often improves mental health.
• Eliminates the stress of being caught in rush hour traffic.
• Active transportation is a great and easy way to reduce your risk for controllable diseases, resulting in an improved quality of life.
• Pump prices!

On June 18 you are invited to Park(ed) – Car Free day! Learn how you can get eco-mobile.  Lots of activities for everyone to try. Test drive a Segway, participate in an outdoor Spin class, or take a ride on the BIG Bike for Heart & Stroke!

Find out more about this free family fun event at www.edmonton.ca/activedmonton

Also, Check out the bike mob video below. It was organized by Active Edmonton as a way to raise awareness of alternative, eco-transportation and it was a big success. You can definitely cram a lot more bikes than cars into a regular parking stall.

Read more info on the Park(ed) handbill

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, our host, Marvin Polis of the City of Edmonton’s Communications team, takes us inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city and have big plans for its future.

Listen to the entire show:

Listen to an interview:

• Eco mobility flash mob/Park(ed) 2011
• Renewable Energy and Green Building
• Front Yards in Bloom
• Elder Abuse Awareness

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.