Designing solutions for Edmonton's growing population
February 10, 2026
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A longstanding partnership between NAC Land and Stantec means that together, we will build housing for Edmonton’s growing population
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In this series, we’ll explore the power of collaboration and co-creation with our clients. These partnerships showcase how we rise to the world’s greatest challenges together.
For almost 25 years, NAC Land and Stantec have worked together to shape Edmonton’s communities. The teams may evolve, but the foundation remains the same: collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to excellence.
And when the stakes are high—like building housing during a crisis—this partnership rises to the challenge. Together, NAC Land and Stantec are not just building homes. We’re building the future of Edmonton.
Responding to real needs
In 2023, Edmonton declared a housing crisis. Rising costs and limited inventory made homeownership out of reach for many. NAC Land, with our team by its side, is responding with purpose—developing neighbourhoods that meet the evolving needs of the city’s growing population. Chris Nicholas, president of NAC Land, turned to us as a trusted partner to help bring his team’s vision to life.
“We don’t have the horsepower to navigate everything internally. We lean on Yolanda and the entire team at Stantec to help us guide it through,” Nicholas says.
" }We’re friends first. We celebrate each other’s successes—together.
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That guidance spans everything from zoning reviews and policy development to infrastructure planning and stakeholder alignment. Before a single shovel hits the ground, the collaboration helps see that every detail is considered—from how the land connects to roads and utilities, to how future residents will live, learn, and thrive in the space.
“The City has a lot of policies and regulations, but there’s always room to be creative,” explains Yolanda Lew, senior principal and practice leader for Community Development at Stantec. “Chris is always exploring new ideas in his communities through conversations with others in the industry and looking at what other municipalities have done throughout the world. We’re not building cookie-cutter neighbourhoods. We’re building what people actually want and need.”
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Chris Nicholas and Yolanda Lew
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A partnership built on trust
At the heart of this work is a relationship built on mutual respect and shared purpose. Nicholas and Lew aren’t just colleagues—they’re collaborators who understand that building a neighbourhood is about more than technical plans and regulatory approvals. It’s about people. “If you don’t collaborate or communicate? It’s a fail,” Nicholas says.
“We have a huge impact through the work we do—we’re creating communities where people will live and build their lives,” Lew says. “I love walking or driving through completed developments and seeing people enjoying the spaces we helped create.”
With every community, we redefine what’s possible. Through collaboration with our clients, together we will unlock outcomes neither could achieve alone.
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