In Development Podcast - Urban Evolution: Navigating the Dynamic Landscape of City Planning with Ranon Soans

Urban Evolution: Navigating the Dynamic Landscape of City Planning with Ranon Soans

01/11/24 • 59 min

Today's guest on "In Development" is Ranon Soans. In this episode, the group delves into a thought-provoking discussion on district and city planning. "Cities are complex beings that need to live and breathe," so how do we best create plans with the understanding that they will continuously need to be amended? How do we enable what we want to see without restricting what we fear, while also providing certainty to residents and the public interest? What is the optimal balance between assessment and negotiation versus setting things in stone? Ranon also discusses the delicate balance of involving communities in the planning process to gather their perspectives and engagement, all while ensuring an efficient decision-making process to keep things moving forward. Join the conversation and listen now!

Ranon Soans is an urban planning specialist with a rigorous
understanding of planning processes and development in Alberta. Since joining
the team at Clarity Development Advisory in 2019, he has
coordinated a large variety of projects including complex rezoning
applications, public engagement efforts, and larger land use planning
proposals. Ranon’s skillful and knowledgeable proficiency in the industry is
built on diverse experiences in urban research, planning practice, and
involvement in development projects.

Ranon holds a Master’s degree in Human Geography from the
University of Alberta. He continues to be actively involved in academic
research focused on urban revitalization and affordable housing, and regularly
advocates for planning policy changes in Edmonton. Ranon is passionate about
placemaking, urban design, and sustainability transitions, and enjoys using
systematic thinking to better visualize problems and find solutions.

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IN DEVELOPMENT Episode 42 - Infill Insights with Nicholas Rheubottom, Executive Director of IDEA

Today’s guest is Nicholas Rheubottom, the Executive Director of IDEA. If you have questions about IDEA or have been interested in getting involved, this is a great episode to tune into! In this episode Nicholas gives a review on the year 2023, including some big wins for IDEA and then outlines the direction of the association for the upcoming year. He also discusses district planning, zoning bylaw, and the Infill Certification Program, along with other initiatives like BE Infill. This episode has everything you need to get up to speed on all things IDEA, and discover ways to get involved next year with an exciting calendar of events coming in 2024!

With six years of industry experience, Nicholas understands the vital role of infill in addressing economic and environmental challenges being faced by cities today. He values his advocacy work with IDEA and the contributions he's made to educational programming for IDEA's membership and the wider infill community.

Nicholas possesses a unique educational background, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina, a Master of Arts from the University of Alberta, and having pursued doctoral studies at King’s College London during a two-and-a-half-year stint in the UK. Despite his distinct path in the industry, he views his lived experience as an asset to his current work.

Before becoming Executive Director, Nicholas served as Co-Chair of IDEA’s Policy committee, actively engaging in projects such as the Zoning Bylaw Renewal and District Planning initiatives. Additionally, he advocates for Alberta's queer business community as Vice Chair of the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.

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In Development Episode 44 - Edmonton's Urban Renaissance Unveiled

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.

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