Land is a valuable resource with many competing uses, including agriculture, recreation, forestry, mining, housing, infrastructure, and industrial development. For this reason, industries, companies, and residents intending to develop or expand in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland are subject to municipal, provincial, and federal policies and legislation. The legislation and approvals that apply depend on the type of project as well as its specific requirements and location. This helps ensure that Alberta’s limited land resources are used in a balanced and effective manner.
Land use planning in the Heartland industrial area is also aligned with the broader land use planning of the Greater Edmonton region’s Capital Region Board. This agency was created in 2008 to coordinate the overall planning across the Edmonton region to ensure they are aligned with the long term growth forecasts and avoids conflicts across municipal boundaries.
In addition to the multi-levelled governmental policies that development has to occur within, the Government of Alberta has implemented the Alberta Land Use FrameworkAlberta Land Use Framework. The purpose of the Framework is to manage growth in balance with Alberta’s social and environmental goals. This Framework aims to look at land use planning holistically and include factors such as environmental impacts.
For additional information on land use planning in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, contact:
Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA)
