The City of Edmonton has released a series of conceptual plans from five architectural groups, including Perkins + Will of Vancouver, as it outlined its vision for redevelopment of the 530-acre (217-hectare) former city centre airport.

The land, worth an estimated $500 million, has drawn plans that follow the city's guidelines for a sustainable, pedestrian friendly, high-density, mixed-use development that the city believes will create a dynamic new urban centre. Each of the design firms was given $50,000 to draw up their proposals. Some of the plans include small lakes, and all feature a great deal of green space and parks, some equal to half of the site. 

The former airport is situated next to the Yellowhead highway about a seven minute drive from the city core. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, who led a controversial battle to have the airport lands redeveloped, is a strong proponent of getting more people to foresake their suburban houses for higher-density homes closer to the downtown. 

Under a series of city initiatives started last year, developers are being offered up to $12,000 in cash for each market residential unit they build in inner-city neighbourhoods. Other perks include waiving parking requirements and providing tax breaks for retail developers.

The airport lands will be serviced by a new LRT line and the stated goal is to make the entire development less dependent on automobile traffic.

As the owner of the airport land, the city will decide, after a series of public hearings, on the final plans and design standards. It will then sell the land to home builders and commercial developers.

"This is going to take a long time, it is a very big deal," said John Frederickson of Colliers International, Edmonton, who estimated it may take 20 or 30 years for the project to be built out.