Our Projects
The Urban Design and Standards (UDS) staff lead and support a diverse array of projects across the Municipality and in collaboration with Parks Canada. These projects steer town planning, development, public spaces, sustainability, and housing. Our goal is to create a better Jasper for Jasperites.
If you have questions about any of our projects, please reach out to us at townplanning@jasper-alberta.ca or 780-931-9857.
Active Projects
Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program
The Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program (ADU Program) offers financial support and tools to help residents build or convert rental units on their property for long term rental. The goal is to reduce financial barriers and support long-term housing growth in Jasper. See the program page for full details.
Climate Adaptation Action Plan
The Municipality of Jasper’s 2025 Climate Adaptation Action Plan was written to implement recommendations of the 2024 Climate Risk Assessment Report (see below). It will guide mitigation efforts to reduce the severity of climate hazard impacts as well as enhance preparedness and resilience across the community.
Climate Risk Assessment Report
In order to better understand the impacts of climate change on Jasper’s built, natural, social and cultural systems, the Municipality commissioned the 2024 Climate Risk Assessment Report. This report outlines existing risks and recommends development of a Climate Adaptation Action Plan to help steer the Municipality’s resilience to changing climate conditions.
Connaught Below Market Housing Development
UDS staff are supporting the Jasper Municipal Housing Corporation (JMHC) with its first residential project. The Connaught Below Market Housing Development is a 40-unit rental housing project designed to increase access to safe, secure, and affordable housing in Jasper. Updates on the project, including a live cam of the building site, can be found on the project page.
EV Charging Stations
The Municipality of Jasper is expanding support for electric vehicle travel by joining EVenture northwest AB and its growing EV charging network. This is a community-driven, collaborative program seeking to build a Level 3 (DC Fast Charger) EV charging network across west/central Alberta. EV charging stations can be found along Connaught Drive, and a new station will be installed across from the Activity Centre in 2026.
Housing Action Plan
To respond to the severe housing shortage, the Municipality of Jasper developed a Housing Action Plan (HAP). The HAP includes six federally funded and two internally supported initiatives. All initiatives are designed to be feasible, actionable, and respond to community needs. The HAP program is designed to run for three years, from December 2024-December 2027.
Jasper Housing Enablement Initiative
The Jasper Housing Enablement Initiative is a 16-month, community-centered effort designed to help the Municipality of Jasper address its housing crisis and rebuild a stronger, more resilient and more affordable community. Led by the consultant team mddl, the initiative focuses on unlocking sustainable middle housing through practical public education, standardized design, digital tools, and policy modernization. This initiative will also include community and stakeholder engagement to ensure that solutions reflect the local context and are tailored to Jasper’s unique constraints.
Transfer of Planning Authority
The Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada are working together to facilitate the transfer of land use planning and development authority from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper. The proposed shift means that land use planning and development decisions will be made at the local level by an elected municipal council, rather than Parks Canada.
Land use planning and development is how communities decide where homes, public uses, parks, roads, and businesses should be built. Development rules provide direction for what buildings and surrounding spaces should look like. Land use planning helps create safe, sustainable, and vibrant communities.
Completed Projects
Jasper Pop-Up Village and Artist’s Studio
The Jasper Pop-Up Village was created in response to the 2024 wildfires, offering displaced small businesses and artisans a place to rebuild, recover, and thrive. Supported by a PrairiesCan grant, the Village provides stability for local entrepreneurs who might otherwise have closed, ensuring those businesses remain a vibrant part of our community.
The Artist’s Studio is a creative refuge designed for Jasper artists rebuilding after the 2024 wildfires. This temporary space offers a supportive environment for artists who have lost studios, galleries, or artwork, giving them a place to create, exhibit, and reconnect with the community. The name of the studio, Creative Space Between the Trees, was chosen by local Jasper artists.
UDS staff supported the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC) with zoning and development work as well as the PrairiesCan grant application for the village. Staff also assisted with the permitting process for the artists’ studio and engagement with the local arts community to name the studio.
Jasper Rebuilding and Builders Guides
The Jasper Rebuilding and Builders Guides were created in collaboration with Parks Canada to support rebuilding structures lost within the townsite during the 2024 Jasper wildfire. They are both updated as necessary and contain summaries of any changes.
The Rebuilding Guide is a starting point for residents rebuilding homes and commercial properties, including steps to consider throughout the design and rebuild process.
The Builders Guide is a resource for designers, builders and contractors working in the town of Jasper. The Guide includes information for builders on everything from design standards, permits, fees, and operational requirements for working in Jasper to servicing standards, as well as additional resources in place to facilitate the rebuild.
Off-site Levies Bylaw Update
As Jasper welcomes new homes to our community, we will need to update and increase our public infrastructure (e.g. water, wastewater and stormwater facilities). In most communities, these costs are paid for by developers and home builders through an off-site levy to the municipality. The levies are governed by local bylaws. In Jasper, that is the Jasper Off-Site Levies Bylaw 2026 (Bylaw #276). The previous bylaw had not been updated since 2015, and listed levy rates did not reflect current construction costs. The 2026 bylaw update ensures rates are based on clear, data-driven analyses to ensure fair and sustainable infrastructure funding. Project information and bylaw updates can be found on the project’s Engage Jasper website.
Town of Jasper Land Use Policy Updates
UDS staff collaborated with Parks Canada on changes to the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy to reduce barriers to post-wildfire rebuilding efforts. Summaries of amendments can be found on the Parks Canada Town of Jasper Land Use Policy page. Highlighted updates:
- Reduced barriers to housing development
- Allowed for more diverse housing options
- Increased community resilience to wildfire and introduced FireSmart requirements
- Introduced measures to increase community climate resilience
- Enabled zero lot line developments
- Established minimum bicycle parking requirements and design standards for multi-unit dwellings and apartment buildings
- Introduced criteria for evaluating requests for reduced parking for larger-scale residential projects
- Reduced the required number of parking stalls on residential lots
Town Values & Residential Density and Parking Policies
From April to June 2025, the Municipality of Jasper invited Jasperites to help create town values and advise on pathways to increase residential density. Being clear on our values helped us choose the land use policy tools to welcome more homes in Jasper and was a first step in creating a new town plan for Jasper in 2026-2027. Workshop information, What We Heard reports, FAQs, and Land Use Policy updates can be found on the project’s Engage Jasper page.