Many of those who work downtown as professionals or support staff live in apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and even expensive single family homes in, or immediately adjacent to, the downtown core. Gentrification, the movement of professionals into central neighborhoods, has been a powerful force in recreating downtown Edmonton. This is true in most Canadian cities as relatively high income professionals choose to live close to the core. As is the case in most of Canada's urban centers, Edmonton's downtown has been the beneficiary of substantial infrastructure investment by all levels of government. This has provided for redevelopment projects, park systems, cultural facilities and other amenities in most downtown neighborhoods.
Downtown churches minister in a unique context.
Although their congregations often include many suburban commuters, they also have a considerable population who work and live downtown. First Baptist Church, the focus of one article in this issue, is wrestling with ministering downtown. Inner City Neighborhoods Adjacent to downtown Edmonton are several inner city neighborhoods characterized by poverty and social problems. This is also typical in Canadian cities. In recent years, however, as economic conditions and growing deficits have prompted government cutbacks, conditions in these communities have worsened.