Edmonton Project aims to unleash creativity to better the city

Do you have an idea to bring our city together? The Edmonton Project, which launched Friday, is looking for residents to pitch ideas to better our city.

Founder Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson calls the project a platform to allow Edmontonians to “uncover one single idea that captives our imagination.”

Hansen-Carlson said the project is aiming for something material.

“We want to see something of permanence in the built environment. I want to encourage people to think beyond this idea of a monument or a statue or a plaza. I think Edmontonians are much more creative,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want to see something of permanence in the built environment. I want to encourage people to think beyond this idea of a monument or a statue or a plaza. I think Edmontonians are much more creative," he said.

He said the five companies behind the project – ATB, BDO, EllisDon, Kasian and Zag Creative – have the infrastructure to turn that idea into a reality.

The initiative is community-driven but has support from the city.

Mayor Don Iveson said fresh thinking about a signature project could change the face of the city.

“It’s exciting. It’s timely,” he said, adding it will “uncork” the creativity of Edmontonians to come up with a place-making initiative.

The deadline to submit ideas is October 20. Submissions will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel. Then in mid-January, the top 10 submissions will go through a Design Den event before the top idea is selected.