In Development Podcast

In this episode, Ryan and Olivia sit down with Hon Leong to chat about all things Chinatown. Hon dives into the changes and challenges Edmonton’s Chinatown has seen over the recent years: from dwindling foot traffic and small business engagement, to advocating for a vibrant and multicultural hub for the future. Hon also discusses the sensitive topic of social disorder in this area and how he hopes “housing first” and City resources such as the Community Revitalization Levy can create positive outcomes. Listen to the full episode as Hon tells the audience about Chinatown’s development plans, how this cultural centre in Edmonton compares to other cities in Canada, and how Edmontonians can become involved with this integral component of downtown revival.

Hon Leong is the Chair of the Edmonton Chinatown Transformation Collaborative (CTC), a collective formed in 2018 by a group of passionate advocates and organizations who continue to share the goal of preserving Chinatown as a culturally significant and celebrated location in Edmonton. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant by training and is now a real estate developer running his company at LPY Holdings Ltd., with a focus on local community development. Hon was motivated to join the CTC through his childhood experience growing up in Chinatown. He sees Chinatown as part of his Chinese-Canadian identity and considers it to be a cultural asset that should be well preserved.

In today's episode, Mariah and Ryan talk to Armando Hernandez, Principal and Owner of Dualita Architecture. Armando has built his design style on having no preconceived notions about where he will end up but what is right for the site and the client. He has proven that you can design beautiful projects and make the numbers work which he has showcased in his work in various styles of development. Armando explains to Ryan and Mariah his philosophy of Do Better and how it helps him continuously grow and challenge his style. He sees questioning how we do things as a key aspect of Doing Better. Listen in to learn more about Armando's experiences in Mexico, Spain and Canada have shaped his designs.

Armando Hernandez is a Registered Architect. He was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he studied architecture at Tec de Monterrey and then went to Barcelona to obtain his Master's from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. During this period, he was a guest lecturer at Naples University in Italy, where he spoke about contemporaneity and memory in architecture during a seminar exploring heritage and tradition.

When he returned to Guadalajara, he became a professor at Tec de Monterrey for six years, teaching design and theory, before moving to Canada in 2013, where he worked for firms like L7 architecture, Dialog and Stantec before starting his firm in 2019; Dualita Architecture.

He is passionate about design and creating spaces that enhance people's lives. He believes that good design is critical in creating a better society. Currently, he is working in different building typologies, from multifamily buildings to industrial facilities. He is a proud father of a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy and loves spending time with them when he is not at the office.

In this episode, Ryan and Mariah talk to Lindsey Butterfield the City of Edmonton's Director of Open Space and Urban Growth. Lindsey chats with Ryan and Mariah about how the City uses data to make decisions on where to invest in growth, infrastructure and open space in the city. Lindsey also shares more information about how Edmonton is changing its growth pattern over time to be financially sustainable, climate resilient and equitable - all of which have big impacts on infill! Listen to the end to hear more about one of Mariahs' and Ryans' favourite new neighbourhoods.

And here is the interactive map mentioned in the episode! https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/parks-river-valley

Lindsey Butterfield is a Registered Professional Planner. She has worked as a city planner in Metro Edmonton for two decades, first in the City of Spruce Grove, and for the last seven years with the City of Edmonton. After several years leading the Regional Development team, she took on the task of starting the growth management framework, a key pillar of implementing Edmonton's City Plan and a deep dive into city parks, leading the Urban Growth and Open Space section. Lindsey has a particular passion for long range city planning policy, and having recently completed a certificate in mediation, is excited to take on new challenges that hone her new skills in mediation and negotiation. Lindsey loves a crunchy problem that brings together different subject matter experts so that she's always doing something new and creative! Lindsey enjoys the discovery of a new saison on the patio of a local brewery, family ski trips, and checking out new restaurants around Edmonton. She holds a Master's degree from Dalhousie University in Urban and Rural Planning.

On today's episode of In Development Alkarim, Mariah and Ryan discuss how to balance the needs of a neighbourhood as it redevelops. They dive deep into human behaviour and how the needs of people change and evolve over time. Redevelopment is a balancing act between viable projects and social responsibility and Alkairm shares his experience as one of Alberta's leading medium scale builders. Alkairm has chosen to build with a focus on people's needs and we recommend you check out his website.

Alkarim’s vision is to make thriving communities through elevated design and innovation. He wants to connect more people to the simple pleasure of living in a walkable neighbourhood full of vibrant, local businesses and modern spaces. Seeded in his hometown of Calgary, he is committed to improving the urban life and connection of people everywhere.

As Co-Founder of RNDSQR and as Co-Founder and board member at CHROMA, his ideas are reflected in each build. Emphasis is placed on living, connecting and creating sustainable homes where people can make it all fit.

In addition, Alkarim is a board member of D.Talks, a partner at NHBR Coffee and No Island Co-Work, places to connect with his community and maintain a pulse on the needs of Calgarians.

On today’s episode, embark on a riveting journey through the heart of Edmonton's urban transformation with the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative. In this episode, hosts Allison and Lilit are joined by key figures from the City of Edmonton, Darbi Kinnee and Lyla Peter. Together they unravel the city's efforts to create zoning regulations that work for Edmonton, the philosophy guiding the renewal, and the collaborative efforts that engaged diverse stakeholders, including IDEA. Darbi and Lyla delve into the key shifts in the zoning bylaw, the retirement of overlays, the introduction of mixed-use zones, and how the new zoning bylaw allows for more dynamic and equitable city building. Listen now and visit the links below for more information and resources discussed in the episode.

Darbi Kinnee is the Strategist for the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative with the City of Edmonton. She is a proud alumnus of the University of Alberta's School of Urban and Regional Planning and has varied experience in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining the Zoning Bylaw team, Darbi has honed her skills in heritage preservation, government relations, and the implementation of key strategic planning policies - including the 2018 Infill Roadmap. Fueled by a passion for urban development, Darbi has a keen interest in local planning issues, consistently seeking innovative solutions to shape more vibrant and sustainable communities.

Lyla Peter is the Director of Development Approvals and Inspections at the City of Edmonton. Her team focuses on issuing development permits and licenses, overseeing compliance activities related to zoning bylaw, lot grading, landscaping, and leading on related policies. Her role is interdisciplinary and she often collaborates with City teams like planning and development, infrastructure development, waste, community standards and housing programs. She loves working towards building a more equitable and responsive community and learning from diverse perspectives, and her fascination with community and exploring what makes them function and thrive has led to her living and working in three countries - Canada, United States, and the United Kingdom. Lyla holds a MBA in Urban Regeneration from the University of Liverpool and a BA in Regional and Urban Planning from the University of Saskatchewan. She also sits on the Habitat for Humanity Edmonton Community Advisory Council and has been a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners Planning Student Trust Foundation Jury since 2021.

Episode Resources:

• New Zoning Bylaw webpage - edmonton.ca/ZoningBylaw
• New Interactive ZB link - zoningbylaw.edmonton.ca
• City Building Newsletter mailing list - Subscribe to the City Building Newsletter
• Building Edmonton mailing list - Subscribe to the Building Edmonton Newsletter
• Zoning Bylaw 20001 Feedback Form
• Development and Construction Application Processing Times
• Service Improvements
• COE Maps