Vision and Strategic Plan
The role of an Official Plan is to guide growth and change related to land use over the next 20 to 30 years. The Official Plan contains principles, goals and objectives established by the community, which describe and coordinate how land in the city should be used and developed. The Official Plan is used to plan for both short-term and long-term growth and development while taking into consideration important social, environmental, economic, and cultural issues, goals and values.
Official Plans have legal status and derive their authority from the Ontario Planning Act. All municipal public works and by‑laws must conform to the Official Plan.
More detail is available in the Vision and Strategic Plan issue brief, including:
Existing Conditions/Initiatives
- Official Plan: Community Vision Statement
- City of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022
Strategic Directions
- Incorporate an equity lens to policy considerations
- Apply a sustainability and climate change lens to land use policy and decisions
- Plan for safe and sustainable transportation for all modes of transportation
- Support and maintain healthy and resilient neighbourhoods
- Plan for efficient use, maintenance and strategic expansion of facilities and assets to meet current and forecasted population
- Foster a robust and diversified economy
Policy Considerations
- Equity and inclusion
- Sustainability and climate change
- Safe and sustainable transportation
- Healthy and resilient neighbourhoods
- Infrastructure and growth management
- Economic development
