Urban Planning

Explore urban planning in Canadian real estate — how it affects zoning, growth, development, and long-term investment strategy.

Urban Planning

June 23, 2025


What is Urban Planning?

Urban planning is the process by which municipalities and regional governments design and regulate land use, infrastructure, and community development to support orderly growth and sustainability.

Why Urban Planning Matters in Real Estate

In Canadian real estate, urban planning determines what can be built where, influencing zoning, density, transportation, green space, and housing supply.



Urban planning includes:
  • Official community plans (OCPs)
  • Zoning bylaws and overlays
  • Transit-oriented development (TOD)
  • Infrastructure and amenity planning
  • Environmental and heritage preservation



It guides development timelines, shapes neighbourhood character, and impacts long-term property values.



Understanding urban planning is essential for developers, investors, and buyers who want to anticipate land use changes or future growth potential.

Example of Urban Planning in Action

The city’s urban planning strategy includes new zoning to support mid-rise buildings near light rail stations, enabling denser residential development.

Key Takeaways

  • Shapes land use and community growth
  • Includes zoning, infrastructure, and density plans
  • Affects housing supply and property values
  • Key for developers and long-term investors
  • Implemented by municipal and regional governments

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

More For You

Public REITs Could Be Poised For A 2026 Comeback: Hazelview

Public REITs Could Be Poised For A 2026 Comeback: Hazelview
LinedPhoto/Unsplash

After spending much of the decade trailing broader equities, public real estate may finally be nearing a turning point.

That’s the view from Hazelview Investments’ newly released 2026 Global Public Real Estate Outlook Report, which argues that the forces shaping global REIT markets are beginning to shift. Using an active management lens, Hazelview’s public securities team points to an environment where supply, demand, valuation, and capital discipline are increasingly coming into alignment — and where the long-standing gap between public and private real estate values is becoming harder to ignore.

Keep ReadingShow less

2025 A Strong Year for Housing Starts, But The Finish Was Uneven

2025 A Strong Year for Housing Starts, But The Finish Was Uneven
Home under construction

Canada built more homes in 2025 than it did the year before — but the year ended with less momentum than the topline numbers might suggest.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), housing starts across all areas of the country reached 259,028 units in 2025, up 5.6% from 2024 and ranking as the fifth-highest annual total on record. In centres with populations of 10,000 or more, starts rose 6% year-over-year to 241,171 units, driven largely by another record-breaking year for rental construction.

Keep ReadingShow less

Beyond The Forecasts: A Framework For Understanding GTA Real Estate In 2026

Beyond The Forecasts: A Framework For Understanding GTA Real Estate In 2026

Nano Do/Unsplash

This article was written and submitted by Cameron Levitt, a Toronto-based real estate agent with RE/MAX Hallmark who writes about housing dynamics, market trends, and the Canadian economy.


Keep ReadingShow less

GTA Housing Market Ends 2025 More Affordable, But Confidence Remains Key

GTA Housing Market Ends 2025 More Affordable, But Confidence Remains Key

Teunard Droog/Unsplash

As 2025 drew to a close, new data from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) painted a picture of a market still under pressure, but notably more affordable than it was a year earlier — a shift that, according to the board, may help lay the groundwork for recovery in the year ahead.

Annual GTA home sales declined in 2025 amid ongoing economic uncertainty, as buyers remained cautious in the face of broader concerns around employment and the cost of living. Over the same period, however, elevated listing inventory gave buyers greater negotiating power, contributing to lower selling prices and improved affordability across the region.

Keep ReadingShow less

What's Open And Closed In Toronto On New Year's Day

What's Open And Closed In Toronto On New Year's Day
Richard Cavalleri/Shutterstock

Even if you weren't much of a planner in 2025, the new year is your chance to start on a better foot.

At the very least, we recommend planning ahead for New Year's Day, which falls on Wednesday this year and is a statutory holiday. As such, banks and government services will be closed, however, some malls, grocery stores, and attractions will be open, albeit with special hours. Here's what you need to know.

Keep ReadingShow less

New Year's Day: What's Open And Closed In Vancouver

New Year's Day: What's Open And Closed In Vancouver
James Chen/Shutterstock

Is it just us, or have the holidays come and passed a bit too quickly? But don't fret: there are still a few days left, and plenty of things to do as the year comes to a close (and the new one opens with a fresh beginning).

For those who will be taking public transit, TransLink will once again be offering free transit on New Year's Eve, starting at 5:00 pm; services will also be provided on an extended weekday schedule before shifting to a Sunday/Holiday schedule for New Year's Day.

Keep ReadingShow less

In Ontario, Who Has To Shovel Snow: The Tenant Or Landlord?

In Ontario, Who Has To Shovel Snow: The Tenant Or Landlord?
Shutterstock

It's the time of year when many of us will find ourselves walking — and shovelling — through a winter wonderland.

Everyone knows (or should know) that big fines are in store if you fail to shovel the snow outside your home. But what if you rent your property? Is it still your responsibility, or your landlord’s?

That’s the high-value question.

According to Section 20(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act, “a landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a residential complex, including the rental units in it, in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and for complying with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards.” And according to court rulings, this includes snow removal.

Keep ReadingShow less

What's Open And Closed In Vancouver On Christmas 2025

Vancouver

It's that time of the year again — Christmas lights are glimmering, holiday cheer is in the air, and it's all about spending time with your friends and family.

Indeed, Christmas is nearly here, and if you'll be spending the holiday in Metro Vancouver, here's what you should know.

Keep ReadingShow less
Privacy PolicyAbout UsTerms of UseAdvertise with UsJobsContact UsRSS Feed
2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved