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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

Land Banking

Gentrification is the process by which a traditionally lower-income neighbourhood undergoes revitalization and attracts higher-income residents,. more

Land Assembly

Land assembly is the process of acquiring and consolidating multiple adjacent parcels of land under one ownership, typically for redevelopment or. more

Joint Venture

A joint venture in real estate is a partnership between two or more parties to develop, own, or operate a property or project, sharing risks, costs,. more

Infill Development

Infill development is the process of building new housing, commercial buildings, or amenities on vacant or underutilized land within existing urban areas.. more

Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary zoning is a municipal planning tool that requires or incentivizes developers to include a percentage of affordable housing units in new. more

Impact Fees

Impact fees are charges levied by municipalities on new developments to offset the cost of additional public infrastructure and services required by. more

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