The Calgary Plan
June 2026 Calgary Plan update
June 16 Strategic Council Meeting update
Administration presented a draft of the Calgary Plan at the June 16 Strategic Council meeting as a checkpoint ahead of further engagement and a future public hearing, with no Council approval requested at this stage.
The team will return in January 2027 with an updated draft, including a What We Heard Report summary from Council engagement, ahead of the final phase of public engagement (date tbd). Learn more about the strategic session and read the minutes.
We will update the website as more information becomes available and timelines have been adjusted.
What is the Calgary Plan?
The draft Calgary Plan is a proposed update to the current Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan. If approved, it will guide how Calgary grows and changes in the years ahead.
What does it do?
The Plan sets direction for:
- How land is used across the city
- How people get around (transportation and mobility)
- How services and infrastructure are planned and delivered.
It’s a required plan under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Why is it being updated?
Calgary’s current plans were created in 2009, with a moderate update in 2020. While they’ve worked well, a lot has changed.
- Calgary is growing quickly.
- Community needs and priorities have evolved.
- New challenges and opportunities have emerged.
- Policies are now spread across multiple planning documents, creating duplication, gaps and challenges for consistent application.
An updated plan helps make sure we’re planning for today—and the future.
What's new?
The Calgary Plan brings key pieces together into one clear framework:
- Combines land use and transportation planning in one place
- Aligns decisions about growth, infrastructure and mobility
- Supports more coordinated planning as Calgary expands
What’s different?
The new Plan is simpler and easier to use:
- Fewer overlapping and duplicate policies
- Clearer direction for decision-making
By the numbers
- ~400 policies in the draft Plan-- a 65% reduction in policies from current plans
- ~1,100 policies in the current plans (Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan)
The draft Calgary Plan reflects community and interested party input and best planning practices. View the annotated Calgary Plan that details the updates made to the Plan since December 2024.
The Calgary Plan is Calgarians’ Plan
This has been one of the most extensive engagement efforts The City has undertaken. Since 2023, there has been a wide range of approaches to connect with people across all wards, including:
- 47,900+ Calgarians engaged
- 175+ engagement events
- Five phases of engagement
- 180+ organizations engaged
A program-level engagement summary, the “What We Are Doing” report, and the full set of verbatim comments are available below.
- What We Are Doing - Calgary Plan
- What We Are Doing - Zoning Bylaw
- What We Are Doing - Street Manual
- What We Didn't Do
- Next Steps
While this effort reached many Calgarians, it did not capture every voice, and the feedback received does not reflect a single, shared consensus. Individual perspectives vary, but the overall picture is clear: Calgarians care about affordability, thoughtful and responsible growth, efficient mobility and access to parks and green spaces.
The draft Plan is stronger because of what we heard through engagement. While the Plan represents an objective effort to balance diverse perspectives and create a cohesive framework for Calgary’s future growth and development, it is not final. Council input and a final validation phase of engagement in 2027 will help further refine the Plan before it is finalized.
How to read the Calgary Plan
Don’t have enough time to read the Plan but want to learn more about it? Below are summaries of the Calgary Plan by theme. Each theme is also linked to the 2027-2030 Council Priority focus area. Read the full proposed Calgary Plan.
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Business
Calgary's economic success depends on businesses being able to start, grow, thrive and compete. This includes ensuring enough industrial land, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship and maintaining strong goods movement networks that connect businesses to local and global markets. It encourages innovation and business activity across the city, helping Calgary attract investment and strengthen its role as a regional distribution centre.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Support new and existing businesses, innovation and local jobs.
- Make city processes easier to help small businesses and equity groups.
- Encourage retail, services, childcare, arts, culture and local commercial growth.
- Support food production, urban farming, agri-tourism and low-carbon industries.
- Maintain a supply of high-quality industrial lands to foster business investment and economic growth.
- Support economic diversification and enable emerging technologies, sectors and manufacturing activities to thrive.
- Ensure efficient goods movement networks connecting Calgary to regional, national and international markets.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Support for small businesses
- Desire for economic opportunities
- More options to get to work in areas outside of the downtown
- Residents support corner store and small commercial uses in neighbourhoods
- Support for job creation and economic growth
Related Council Priorities
- Balanced Growth & Evolving Neighbourhoods
Design and heritage
Calgary’s buildings, communities and streets integrate into neighbourhoods through welcoming public spaces and well-designed, accessible and inclusive buildings. Heritage sites protect important history, while public art tells community stories. Together, they create safe, vibrant and accessible places that reflect identity and support connection.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Safe, inclusive, comfortable, green and active public spaces and streetscapes.
- Development sites with walking paths, shared spaces, resilient landscaping and connections to surrounding areas.
- Growth in redeveloping areas complements the neighbourhood context and heritage.
- New development respects, conserves and integrates heritage resources through best practices and available tools.
- Public art is integrated into public spaces across the city, and reflects diverse histories, identities and community stories.
- A diverse and growing urban forest and drought-tolerant landscaping.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Concern about heritage protection
- High value for trees, especially street trees
- Concern about the impact of development on the character of communities
- Each neighbourhood is unique
Related Council Priorities
- Community Livability & Well-being
Greater Downtown
A strong downtown supports jobs, businesses and city life. The Calgary Plan guides land use, mobility and public space planning to help downtown thrive as a hub for employment, culture and urban living.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Most trips within downtown are made by walking, wheeling and transit.
- Streets prioritize walking, safety, wayfinding and public amenities.
- Parks and public spaces are safe, accessible, green and connected.
- Shops, cafes, patios and retail directly on sidewalks for easy access.
- Transit streets and stations are well-integrated, safe and comfortable.
- Protected, connected and safe cycling routes with parking and repair facilities.
- Trees, plants and natural features along streets and in parks.
- Support for festivals, events and attractions.
- Plus 15 Network integrated as part of the walking network with safe, accessible connections.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Better public spaces, greenery and parks downtown
- A walkable downtown with great transit connections
- The need for a vision for the downtown
- Desire for more events and culture
Related Council Priorities
- Balanced Growth & Evolving Neighbourhoods
Growth
The Calgary Plan supports building more homes, jobs, shops and services near main streets and transit stations, making it easier for people to reach everyday destinations and provide choices in how to get around.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- The highest density homes and jobs should be located near transit.
- Neighbourhoods include retail and commercial uses, particularly around transit.
- Plazas, walking and biking routes connect people to transit stations.
- High activity areas are around transit stations, main streets, malls and institutions.
- Moderate activity areas are along primary transit routes and in inner city areas.
- High and moderate activity areas support more housing, jobs, shops, arts and industry.
- Light activity areas are residential neighbourhoods with some local shops and services.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Support for growth around transit
- Support for shops and services across neighbourhoods
- Need for infrastructure projects to mitigate impacts (such as construction) on communities
Related Council Priorities
- Balanced Growth & Evolving Neighbourhoods
Housing
Calgarians need a wide range of housing, from homeownership to shelters, to improve affordability and support access to safe, suitable and attainable homes. Local area plans and area structure plans guide where and how housing is built to expand choice and improve access to services, transit and local businesses.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Housing choice in all neighbourhoods.
- 15 percent non-market housing target across each area structure plan and local area plan area.
- Affordable homes retained with reduced displacement during new infrastructure projects.
- City land sold, leased or used for non-market and mixed-market housing.
- Support for innovative designs and construction methods for new and existing housing types, including accessible units.
- Partnerships to increase housing supply citywide.
- A diversity of non-market and market housing types, tenures and ownership options, including purpose-built rental, co-housing, co-operative and student housing.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Very strong support for housing that is affordable for everyone, including market and non-market housing
- Desire for different housing options across the city, and the ability to stay in the same neighbourhood during different stages of life
Related Council Priorities
- Balanced Growth & Evolving Neighbourhoods
Infrastructure
Financially responsible growth is supported in new and redeveloping areas, supported by the infrastructure needed to make it viable, such as servicing, parks and community facilities.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- A residential land supply that is continuous, connected, sustainable and serviceable.
- Infrastructure is planned to accommodate growth with investment prioritized in redeveloping areas.
- Financially sustainable growth decisions follow City policies, and their impacts are tracked.
- A strong industrial sector supports jobs, services and tax revenue, contributing to long-term economic resilience.
- Plans address growth impacts on nature, heritage, mobility, utilities and community needs.
- Water demand considerations that inform growth decisions.
- Developments that conserve, reuse and manage water efficiently.
- The City manages water carefully through coordinated planning and integrated decision-making.
- Water, sewer and stormwater systems are safe, reliable, efficient and meet city standards.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Concern about infrastructure capacity and impacts from growth
- Worry about reliable servicing
- Want more of a focus on infrastructure investments
- More capacity at public spaces and amenities to keep up with demand
Related Council Priorities
- Reliable & Sustainable Infrastructure
Mobility
The Calgary Plan supports a range of travel options by prioritizing transit and improving safe, connected networks for walking, wheeling and driving. It provides direction and mapping to guide mobility networks and improve access across the city.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Safe and convenient walking routes with connected sidewalks and frequent crossings, prioritizing access for people of all ages and abilities.
- Safe and connected cycling routes with secure bike parking.
- Safe, frequent, convenient and affordable transit, with priority measures on the primary transit network.
- Green and connected streets designed for transportation choice and emergency access.
- Efficient goods movement connecting consumers, businesses and regional, national and international trade networks.
- Managed parking supply.
- Civic facilities, parks and public recreation connected to walking, cycling and transit routes.
- A mobility system that is adaptable to changing travel patterns and emerging technologies, while anchored in safety, choice and sustainability.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Safe walking routes to school are important
- Desire for safe, affordable and convenient transit
- Desire for comfortable, connected and efficient mobility options
- Concerns about parking supply on streets and in communities
Related Council Priority
- Functional Transportation Network
Nature
Calgary has a strong ecological network made up of protected natural areas, rivers, creeks and wetlands. The Calgary Plan supports protecting and expanding environmentally significant areas and helps The City identify and fill gaps where nature is lacking.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Supports the ecological network (including natural areas, rivers, creeks and wetlands) that is protected, restored, connected, naturalized and accessible
- Protects and expands the urban forest.
- Development supports the ecological network, integrates natural landforms and includes access to nature.
- Public access to rivers and creeks also considers public safety , water quality and sensitive habitats.
What we heard from Calgarians
- A value of nature in the city
- Enjoyment and protection of street trees and a desire for expanding the urban forest
- Protect the ecological network and integrate nature throughout the city
Related Council Priorities
- Community Livability & Well-being
Parks and recreation
Calgary has great parks, recreation and civic spaces. The Calgary Plan supports improved access to them and addresses gaps where these spaces are missing.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Connected, inclusive, safe and multi-purpose parks close to homes.
- Accessible, affordable and welcoming public recreation facilities, amenities and services that meet community needs.
- Municipal civic facilities, including libraries and community association facilities, that serve as gathering places and are planned as flexible, multi-purpose spaces that fit in with communities.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Parks are a priority and access is important as the city grows
- Public recreation is important and gaps should be addressed
- There is a need for more affordable recreation options
Related Council Priorities
- Community Livability & Well-being
Resilience
The Calgary Plan guides how the city manages risks, such as heat, fire and floods, and guides resilient housing, development, mobility and public amenities. It also supports reliable systems for utilities, waste and emergency response to protect public health and support growth.
What does the Calgary Plan say?
- Natural and other hazard risk modelling, planning and mitigation.
- Resilient buildings and engineered/green infrastructure in flood hazard areas.
- Resilient housing, communities, civic facilities, parks, natural areas, public recreation and water/sewer services.
- Reduced wildfire risk through vegetation management.
- Efficient waste management.
- Safe and reliable energy systems.
- Municipal facilities should be accessible, adaptable and serve multiple community purposes.
- Safe and functional emergency and operations facilities.
What we heard from Calgarians
- Concern about climate change
- Focus more on managing natural systems in the context of climate change.
- Fear of impacts from wildfires
- Importance of sustainable materials, stormwater designs and management that reduce flooding and excessive heat
- Support for a range of transportation options
Related Council Priority
- Safe City
Calgary Plan milestones
Learn about documents in progress and share input to evolve the next draft of the new Zoning Bylaw and discuss connections to the Calgary Plan.
The team will be gathering final feedback to help Council make a decision on the Calgary Plan. This feedback will be summarized in a report back to Council.
How the Calgary Plan works with other City plans
We’re planning and building our city to ensure it is sustainable, diverse, accessible, equitable and livable. Some current initiatives underway work together to achieve this vision.
Home is Here:
The City Housing Strategy
Home is Here:
The City Housing Strategy
Home is Here: The City of Calgary's Housing Strategy
This strategy aspires to ensure that everyone living in Calgary has an affordable place to call home.
City Building and Housing Strategy teams will be working together to keep each other informed of progress, major decisions, and opportunities for the public to receive information and provide feedback.
Some of the Housing Strategy actions approved by Council will fall into the scope of the City Building program, including:
- Residential parking requirements
- Exploring more permitted housing uses in new districts
- Making non-market housing easier to build
- Improving policies and land use districts to increase affordable housing supply and housing choice in every community
The City Building team will be updating policy and all zoning regulations (including all residential zones). Changes proposed through City Building will be part of the education and engagement campaigns for the program.
Guide for small scale housing
Guide for small scale housing
Rezoning for Housing and The Guide for Small Scale Housing: Rowhouse, Townhouse and Front-Back Semi-detached Development
Feedback collected through City Building Program engagement on the new Zoning Bylaw will be used to inform the Guide. The Guide is being created to provide clarity and help enhance the design of rowhouse, townhouse and front-back semi-detached housing in Calgary’s developed residential areas.
It will emphasize improving site layout, building design, landscape design and amenity space to create high-quality and sustainable living environments. This project was directed by Council as one of the citywide rezoning motions.
For additional information about the Guide or Rezoning for Housing visit http://calgary.ca/rezoning.
Local Area Planning Program
Local Area Planning Program
Local area plans provide area-specific direction on redevelopment and reinvestment that will guide livable, equitable and diverse growth in our communities over the next 30 years.
We are collaborating and getting feedback from other internal projects and departments to ensure we have alignment and coordination between other bodies of work. Visit Local Area Planning in Calgary for more information about completed plans and plans currently underway.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Calgary Plan just another way of saying rezoning?
No. It is important to clearly distinguish between the Calgary Plan and zoning.
The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and the proposed Calgary Plan do not zone land or mandate specific land use changes. Instead, they provide high-level, citywide policy direction to guide future planning and decision-making.
Zoning is governed separately through the Land Use Bylaw and rezoning (changing from an existing zone to a new zone) requires approval by City Council.
Individual development proposals will continue to follow existing processes. This includes rezoning and development permit approvals—none of which would change under the draft Calgary Plan.
Recent rezoning decisions, as well as subsequent repeals, did not alter the current MDP. In the same way, adopting the draft Calgary Plan would not result in zoning or restrictive covenant changes to any property.
What role do local area plans (LAPs) play compared to the Calgary Plan?
The two plans work together:
- The Calgary Plan sets the big-picture direction for growth across the city.
- Local area plans explain how that direction is applied in specific communities.
How this works on the ground:
- Calgary Plan – sets overall direction
- Local area plans – refine what it means locally
- Zoning (Council approved) - sets what can be built
- Development permits – review detailed design
Each step adds more detail and requires approval before anything is built.
How does the Calgary Plan guide growth?
The Calgary Plan identifies where growth should generally happen, including:
- areas close to transit.
- along main streets.
- areas with higher densities of housing or employment.
Local area plans then determine what growth looks like in each community.
Does this mean all neighbourhoods will grow the same way?
No. Growth is not applied uniformly. Local area plans and Council decisions ensure growth:
- Fits local context.
- Responds to community needs.
- Includes appropriate transitions between areas.
Is the Calgary Plan forcing density?
No. The Calgary Plan enables more housing options and does not require density on specific sites.
Local area plans and Council decisions determine how and where growth happens.
Does the Calgary Plan reduce support for driving?
No.
The Calgary Plan continues to support driving as an important way people get around. Calgary has a strong road network today, and the Plan protects and expands key routes to keep traffic moving across the city.
Driving will remain a major part of how people travel. Today, about 80% of trips are made by car, and even as Calgary grows, it’s expected that around 60% of trips will still be by car.
At the same time, not everyone drives. About 30% of adult Calgarians choose other ways to get around.
The Plan supports all modes of travel, including driving, transit, walking and cycling so everyone has safe and reliable options.
Why are high activity areas set within 600m of transit stations?
A 600m radius (a 5–10-minute walk) helps support more homes, services and amenities within comfortable walking distance of transit, while allowing local area plans to respond to neighbourhood context.
It’s a balanced approach:
- Smaller areas may not support enough homes, services or amenities to make the most of transit investments.
- Larger areas can make walking less convenient and likely.
The 600m area helps identify where growth is most appropriate, while local area plans determine what that looks like based on local neighbourhood characteristics, including building height and transitions to surrounding areas.