One objective of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan is to build sustainable communities by providing provincial guidance to municipalities and other stakeholders. A number of strategies are outlined to promote and foster sustainable communities by establishing land-use patterns, ensuring timely planning and promoting collaboration among and beyond provincial and municipal governments.
The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan doesn’t prescribe what municipalities should do but instead provides suggestions for strategies.
“These policies are presented in a general manner which allows municipal interpretation and application in a locally meaningful and appropriate fashion,” reads the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan.
“These policies provide a framework for municipalities to undertake local planning and to make local land-use decisions. In applying these policies, municipalities must assess the importance of each policy in relation to the others in light of local and inter-municipal priorities.”
One of the strategies in the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan considers housing:
8.14: Feature innovative housing designs, range of densities and housing types such as mixed-use, cluster developments, secondary suites, seniors’ centres and affordable housing. Provide the opportunity for a variety of residential environments which feature innovative designs and densities and which make efficient use of existing facilities, infrastructure and public transportation.
(South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, Page 110)
Here are more resources and information – including Canadian and international sources – related to land use planning and affordable housing.
Strategies to Support Housing Affordability
Alberta Urban Municipality Association (Article)
Land use plans are identified as one regulatory tool that will influence a long-term strategy to housing affordability. Municipalities can maintain a regulatory environment that considers and supports affordable housing.
The Impact of Land Use Planning on Housing
Affordability: An Economic Analysis
Ryerson University Centre for Urban Research & Land Development (Presentation)
This presentation for the Ontario Professional Planners Institute by Frank Clayton and Diana Petramala explores why land use planing regulation is pivotal for housing affordability. Planning regulation is necessary for ensuring housing supply includes a range of housing types and informs the regulatory process.
Roles of Land Use Planning Policy in Housing Supply and Affordable Housing
Housing Policy in Australia (Article)
This article from the Housing Policy in Australia academic journal reviews the land use planning policies in Australia and how they contribute to the goal of an adequate supply of housing. The article dives into the direct implications of land use planning on the quantity and range of affordable housing.
Strategic use of land policy instruments for affordable housing – Coping with social challenges under scarce land conditions in Swiss cities
Land use planning regulations are a tool to influence the behaviour of private property owners with the goal of increasing the supply of affordable housing. Using an analysis of four Swiss municipalities, this paper land use planning policy is one component to impact housing affordability but not always effective on its own.
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