Urban Form, Land Use and Sustainability: Recommendations and Key Research Gaps

Overview

Urban growth in Alberta has taken various forms, including downtown, inner-city, and exurban development. Most growth, however, has been suburban. A substantial literature exists on urban growth and its forms, most under the rubrics of ‘urban sprawl’ (focusing on its costs, causes, and remedies) and more recently, opportunities for ‘smart growth’. What is missing is a systemic understanding of the growth of cities and towns in Alberta, and the reasons, context, and regulatory framework under which it has occurred.

It remains unclear what level of density, degree of mixed use, and access to transit are considered ‘sustainable’. The effectiveness of taxation, development or congestion charges, and other economic and regulatory mechanisms geared towards fostering ‘sustainable’ growth is also uncertain.

This one-year project is developing a ‘state of knowledge’ report focusing on Alberta, which will identify criteria by which sustainable urban or suburban growth can be evaluated. The report will clarify mechanisms to foster sustain-able growth, and describe the key research gaps in understanding the benefits and costs of urban form.