The Pulse: May 28, 2025

The way and the speed at which Edmonton develops is starting to change, thanks in part to the updated zoning bylaw, according to city administration.

Travis Pawlyk, branch manager of development services, told Taproot on May 23 that the city approved 16,519 new dwelling units in 2024, a 30% increase compared to 2023. The volume of development permits the city received also increased by 41% in 2024.

Pawlyk said the increase in housing development is surprising but encouraging.

"Obviously, (the increase) was fuelled by population growth, so I would say that (the new bylaw) is working," he said. "We've been able to accommodate all of these new Edmontonians, and for the future, that's what we would like to achieve through this zoning bylaw — to accommodate and facilitate that future growth to maintain Edmonton as an affordable city, a livable city, and a fiscally sustainable city."

These numbers are all within a report that details the first year of the new zoning bylaw, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Council's urban planning committee is scheduled to discuss the report on June 3. Taproot dove into the data for interesting nuggets. Here's what we found:

Tale of two cities

The data shows that Edmonton is growing differently in the developing area, located outside of Anthony Henday Drive, and in the redeveloping area inside the ring road. Even though the city saw a lot more infill and multi-unit housing built in 2024, the data shows that suburban sprawl with single-family homes is still the most common development pattern.

About 60% of the 16,519 housing units approved in 2024 will be built outside the Henday. Of those units, 43% are single-detached homes, about 20% are secondary suites, and the remainder are row housing (15%), multi-unit housing (13.5%), duplexes (5%), and backyard housing (1.4%).

Meanwhile, within the Henday, only 5% of approved units were single-detached homes. Just more than half of the approved units will be in multi-unit buildings. Row housing and secondary suites each make up about 18% of approvals, respectively.

• Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for most of Alberta, including Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, and Red Deer, effective May 28 through May 29. Temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 29°C, with overnight lows near 14°C, posing an elevated risk of heat illnesses. Residents are advised to reschedule outdoor activities, limit sun exposure, take breaks, and drink water. The heat warning also affects areas in northern Alberta impacted by wildfires, where fire bans and restrictions are in place.
• Alberta teachers have overwhelmingly voted in favour of holding a formal strike vote, with 99% supporting the move. The vote reflects ongoing dissatisfaction among teachers regarding their working conditions and stalled negotiations with the provincial government. A strike vote could authorize the Alberta Teachers' Association to call a strike if a resolution is not reached.
• The Edmonton Police Service is urging drivers to slow down after three people died in speeding-related crashes over the weekend, bringing the city's traffic fatality count to 13 so far in 2025, much higher than the five deaths in the same period last year and eight in 2023. Interim police chief Devin Laforce noted that speeding was a factor in more than half of this year's fatal collisions.
• The Edmonton Public Library has launched a children's album featuring the Cree language called Sing It, Edmonton: Songs from the Neighbourhood, created for babies, young children, and families. The album marks the first time the library has collaborated with local artists to produce a professionally recorded album. According to language artist Wayne Jackson, the album is "another way to introduce our language, to learn it," and share First Nations culture through music.
• Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are searching for an aggressive moose in Edmonton's Forest Heights Park after it attacked two people. The attacks prompted the closure of trails in the area, as officials attempt to locate and relocate the animal. Hye Kyu Sohn, 75, was working in his backyard when the moose attack happened. "I think I'm a lucky guy. I'm still standing here talking to you," he told Global News of the experience. He suffered three broken ribs, a head injury, black eyes, and a leg wound.
• Following the Alberta government's announcement of policies regarding age-appropriate books in schools, library groups have expressed concerns about potential censorship. Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides stated the government can't ban books, but James Turk of the Centre for Free Expression suggests the policies could restrict certain books from being available. Turk added that these policies are a form of censorship, and most challenged books address sexual identity, are LGBTQ+ positive, or cover sex education.
• After an evacuation order was issued on May 26 due to a wildfire, the town of Swan Hills north of Edmonton began welcoming evacuees to Whitecourt. By the morning of May 27, 705 people had registered at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt. Additional firefighting resources were expected to arrive on May 27.
• Alberta's auditor general Doug Wylie is seeking court protection to prevent the government from questioning Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), about documents she provided to his office regarding corruption allegations. Wylie argues that allowing the government to question Mentzelopoulos would undermine the integrity of his investigation. Mentzelopoulos filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal suit in February, alleging she was fired after investigating inflated contracts and conflicts of interest.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Community Coffee starting at 9am at Edmonton Unlimited
• Building Your Legacy: Financial Planning starting at 1pm online
• Trade Connections: Women Leading and Building Canada's Future starting at 3pm at Ernest's Dining Room
• Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market starting at 3:30pm at Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre
• ERINnovation Meet-Up starting at 4pm at Chrysalis
• Edmonton Tech Wednesdays starting at 5:30pm at GRETA Bar YEG
• Elect Her: Mastering Municipal Field and Get-Out-The-Vote starting at 6:30pm online
• Brampton Honey Badgers vs Edmonton Stingers starting at 7pm at Edmonton EXPO Centre
• Stories for Adults: Surprises starting at 7pm at Strathcona County Library
• Flamenco at the Yardbird Show 1 starting at 7:30pm at Yardbird Suite

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• June 1: Connect with our Roots- Community Tree Planting event at kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land
• June 5: Homeless Memorial at Homeless Memorial Plaza
• June 7: Open Streets: Paths for People's 10th Anniversary Street Fest at The Armature

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.