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What is the Vancouver Plan?

Approved by City Council on July 22, 2022, the Vancouver Plan is an historic long-range land use strategy to create a more livable, affordable and sustainable city for everyone. It guides the long-term growth of the city in an intentional way, clarifying where growth and change will occur over the next 30 years.

Through a multi-year public engagement process, we heard unequivocally that residents want specific actions to create more housing, support the local economy, and address the climate crisis.

Vancouver Plan Timeline

The process and timeline are influenced by what we hear and learn along the way and our sustained recovery effort from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phase 1: Listen and Learn + Recovery

Fall 2019 - September 2020*

*Note, short-term community recovery actions will be integrated into the work through January 2021

Phase 2: Developing Emerging Directions

October 2020 – July 2021

Phase 3: Policy and Land Use Ideas

August 2021 – November 2021

Phase 4: Revising and Final Plan

December 2021 – July 2022

Phase 5: Implementation Strategy

Summer 2022+

Acknowledging the unceded homeland of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations

This place is the unceded and ancestral homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (the Nations), and has been traditionally stewarded by them since time immemorial. These lands continue to be occupied by settlers, and Indigenous Peoples face ongoing dispossession and colonial violence. Despite systematic and institutional efforts to eradicate their communities and cultures, the resilience, strength, and wisdom of the Nations have allowed them to revitalize their languages and cultures, and exercise sovereignty over their lands.

Recognizing the lives, cultures, languages, and peoples of this land, the Vancouver Plan seeks to build on our commitment as a City of Reconciliation. Working together with the Nations on the Vancouver Plan and on further work to come, we hope to strengthen reciprocal relationships with each of the three Nations to ensure we move forward together toward a city truly worthy of this amazing place. Settler Vancouver residents have a responsibility to the Nations and Indigenous Peoples that have stewarded these lands to tangible actions and a commitment to Reconciliation through decolonization.

Siwash Rock in Vancouver
Mike Benna Photo

What’s Next

Now that the Vancouver Plan has been approved, it is the City’s strategic land use framework, guiding more detailed plans and policies to come.  

Council-approved motions directing staff to consider how renter protections and developer contributions will be included as part of the implementation of this Plan.