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Growth Management Plan

Understand growth management plans in Canadian urban planning — what they are, their goals, and how they guide development.

Growth Management Plan

July 27, 2025


What is a Growth Management Plan?

A growth management plan is a comprehensive municipal or regional strategy for directing and controlling land use, development, and infrastructure investment.

Why Growth Management Plans Matter in Real Estate

In Canadian urban planning, growth management plans help ensure orderly, sustainable growth by aligning development with infrastructure and environmental goals.



Key objectives:
  • Balance housing, employment, and green space
  • Support efficient transportation and infrastructure
  • Protect natural resources and farmland



Understanding growth management plans helps developers and communities anticipate future land use priorities and policies.

Example of a Growth Management Plan in Action

The region’s growth management plan designated specific areas for high-density housing near public transit corridors.

Key Takeaways

  • Directs where and how growth occurs
  • Aligns land use with infrastructure capacity
  • Helps protect environmental resources
  • Provides long-term planning certainty
  • Guides zoning and development approvals

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Public Realm Improvements

Public realm improvements are enhancements to public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, and streetscapes, often funded or contributed by. more

Mortgagee in Possession

A mortgagee in possession is a lender who takes control of a property after borrower default, but before foreclosure or power of sale. The lender. more

Lease Surrender Agreement

A lease surrender agreement is a negotiated contract between a landlord and tenant that ends a lease before its scheduled expiration. Terms may. more

Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure refers to natural or engineered systems that manage stormwater, reduce heat, and improve sustainability in developments.. more

Escrow Holdback

An escrow holdback is a portion of funds withheld at closing and held in escrow until specific conditions are met, such as completion of repairs,. more

Underused Housing Tax

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a federal annual 1% tax on the value of vacant or underused residential property owned by non-resident,. more

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