The effective management of growth and change is one of the key functions of an OCP. Well planned growth and development can provide lasting benefits through the efficient use of land, resources, infrastructure, facilities, and services.

The OCP envisions a 'network of centres': a hierarchy of different sized centres that are accessible, connected, vibrant and unique places, and have a variety of housing, services, and jobs.

2030 GROWTH TARGET: 75-90% of new homes located in four key centres within a network of centres, with approximately 10,000 net new homes, corresponding to a population increase of around 20,000 people and 10,000 new jobs

<GRAPHIC: NETWORK OF CENTRES CONCEPT MAP>

Directing growth into this urban structure supports a number of the OCP’s goals:

• Sprawl is contained and impacts to natural areas are minimized
• Improved transit becomes viable between centres, and a more walkable environment is created within centres
• Transportation-related greenhouse gases are reduced
• Municipal infrastructure and services are provided more efficiently
• Local businesses operate within vibrant hubs, while employment lands are preserved for their economic value
• More diverse housing choices become available to meet the needs of residents at different stages of their lives, while the stability and character of residential neighbourhoods are sensitively preserved. ​

Reaching our growth management objective

Our objective is to proactively manage growth and change in the District to achieve a compact, efficient, environmentally sustainable, prosperous and socially equitable community. 

We plan to achieve it by taking these actions:

1. Maintain the District’s urban containment boundary by accommodating growth and development within the existing built area
2. Protect areas outside the urban containment boundary by limiting to uses associated with outdoor recreation and tourism, watershed and resource management, conservation, rural residential living, and research purposes
3. Establish a network of centres and corridors and direct residential and commercial growth to these areas
4. Facilitate an appropriate mix and intensity of land uses in designated centres and corridors to support enhanced transit service provision
5. Respect residential neighbourhood character and limit growth in these areas
6. Integrate land use, transportation, and parks planning, infrastructure provision, urban design, and energy conservation to achieve efficiencies and vibrant places
7. Protect employment lands by limiting to heavy industry, light industry, and general business, and by limiting residential and retail uses
8. Effectively coordinate community and infrastructure planning by working collaboratively with our partners