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CITYBEAT - CITY OF CALGARY PRESS RELEASE
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CHBA/UDI SURVEY SUPPORTS PLAN IT CALGARY DIRECTIONS
City Hall, Calgary – The City of Calgary today welcomed results of a telephone survey of Calgarians and residents of the surrounding region which was conducted on behalf of the Canadian Homebuilders Association and the Calgary Urban Development Institute (UDI).
The survey solicited public opinion on a number of growth and planning issues which are addressed in Plan It Calgary, The City’s long-term, integrated, municipal development and transportation plan. Results of the industry-commissioned survey reinforce research undertaken by Plan It and support the direction in which Plan It proposes Calgary must grow to
sustainably accommodate the 1.3 million new residents expected over the next 60 years.
Industry’s survey results show that at the present time, most Calgarians prefer to live in single family homes. Plan It recognizes the single family home will continue to be the predominant housing form for many decades to come. The City currently has a sufficient planned land supply ready to accommodate 185,000 more Calgarians in single or two-family homes in new suburbs, at the city’s edges. Plan It is firmly in support of maintaining strong and stable communities.
“Plan It Calgary is about adding housing choices; it is not about stopping future development of single family homes. Single family homes will continue to be the choice of many Calgarians for a long time. Plan It supports that and it encourages more innovation in housing types throughout the city,” said Pat Gordon, Project Manager, Sustainable City Program.
Over 70% of respondents in the industry survey favor transit-oriented development and more than half agree that a variety of housing types, such as town-houses, apartments and high rise buildings would be a good thing for their own communities. Plan It proposes just that type of
diversification to allow for a gradual increase in density in those areas of the city that are already developed. The City’s research shows that an aging population and changes in immigration patterns will result in growing demand for more choices in housing types in all areas of the city.
The CHBA/UDI survey indicates that mobility issues top the list of public concerns. One of Plan It’s fundamental goals is to anticipate the challenges that doubling Calgary’s population will create for the city’s transportation system and to start preparing now for an affordable way to meet those demands.
Survey respondents indicated the private automobile is their primary means of transportation. Plan It recognizes that cars will remain the preferred mode of transportation for many decades but it goes beyond that in preparing the way for a future where better, faster transit and more convenient access to amenities will reduce overall reliance on automobiles and give city dwellers greater mobility through more options for public transportation, cycling and walking.
The survey reveals an exceptionally high level of awareness exists around long-range planning, development and growth issues generally, and about Plan It, specifically. That points to the effectiveness of extensive consultation and engagement activities The City has undertaken over the past three years to ensure the views of Calgarians were heard.
Beyond public engagement, The City has maintained an even higher degree of on-going dialogue with industry, including the Calgary Homebuilders Association and UDI, throughout the process.
Results of the CHBA/UDI survey indicate the directional plan is an accurate reflection of the priorities Calgarians hold for long-term city growth.
“We are encouraged by the overwhelming public support for a more sustainable Calgary in the future,” Gordon said.
The public has been invited to continue offering feedback until April 17th. That input will be reviewed prior to finalization of the Proposed Document which goes before the Calgary Planning Commission on May 14th. Further information and the draft version of Plan It are available at
www.calgary.ca/planit.
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