What Places Matter Most to Edmonton? Help Shape the Heritage Strategy

Edmonton is rethinking how it protects and celebrates the places that matter to residents. This isn't just about old buildings—it's about natural spaces, cultural landmarks, and community gathering spots. The new Heritage Places Strategy will replace a 2009 plan and guide decisions about what gets preserved and how.

Why This Matters

Got a favourite park, community hall, or neighbourhood landmark? This strategy decides which places get protected—and which don't. It also affects how heritage rules interact with housing development. If you've ever wondered why some buildings get saved while others get demolished, this is your chance to weigh in.

What Could Change

The new strategy will update Edmonton's heritage policies from 2008-2009. It could expand what counts as 'heritage' beyond historic buildings to include natural spaces and cultural landscapes. New rules may better balance heritage protection with affordable housing goals. Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ histories could get more recognition in official heritage designations.

Key Issues

Should heritage protection expand beyond historic buildings to include natural spaces and cultural landscapes?
How should heritage goals be balanced with housing affordability and climate priorities?
How can Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ histories be better reflected in heritage decisions?
What role should communities play in identifying and stewarding heritage places?

How to Participate

Review the draft Guiding Principles and Pillars to understand what the City is proposing.
Read the Phase 1 What We Heard Report to see what others have said.
Contact the project team at heritagestrategy@edmonton.ca with questions.
Sign up for updates to participate in Phase 3 engagement in early 2026.

What Happened

Phase 2 engagement closed on November 30, 2025. The City gathered feedback on draft Guiding Principles and Pillars. Phase 1 feedback was summarized in a What We Heard Report. The strategy is targeted for completion and presentation to City Council in mid-2026, with Phase 3 engagement planned for early 2026.

View 'What We Heard' Report