Transforming Alberta's brownfields: A decade of progress 

Alberta Municipalities was recognized by the Canadian Urban Institute on November 18 with a 2024 Brownie Award for its involvement in the development of the Alberta Environment & Protected Areas Guide to Excluding the Domestic Use Aquifer Based on Municipal Bylaws (2022).

The guide, which was developed by the provincial government in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders, was informed in part by insights from ABmunis' Brownfield Working Group.

The association's Brownfield Working Group was established in 2011 to address the challenges posed by abandoned, under-used, and often environmentally contaminated commercial and industrial sites. These brownfields, while problematic, hold significant redevelopment potential. Over the years, the group pursued initiatives such as advocating for financial tools, enhancing remediation programs, and proposing the creation of a provincial brownfield coordinator to streamline efforts.

The group conducted a comprehensive Brownfield Impact Assessment in 2014, gathering insights from more than 40 municipalities to identify key barriers to redevelopment. Findings revealed:

• Gas stations are the most common type of brownfield site.
• Most sites are privately owned, though some belong to municipalities or non-profits.
• Brownfields often occupy prominent main street locations, negatively affecting community aesthetics.
• Barriers to redevelopment include liability concerns, regulatory compliance, low land values, and lack of information.

Ongoing collaboration by organizations involved in the working group including ABmunis, the Canadian Fuels Association, Alberta Environment and Parks, the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary, among others resulted in the redevelopment of several brownfields sites and changes to provincial policies.

Redeveloping brownfield sites remains a priority for ABmunis' Sustainability and Environment Committee, which has made it a focus for 2024-25. These efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration and long-term vision in transforming challenges into opportunities for Alberta’s communities.