The City will endeavor to:

1. Consider, as part of the project planning for City projects, the operations of Neighbouring Businesses;
2. Identify foreseeable construction-related issues relevant to Neighbouring Businesses and incorporate mitigation measures into project planning for City projects
3. Provide timely, plain-language information regarding planned construction activities, schedules and anticipated changes to Neighbouring Businesses;
4. Maintain communication channels for inquiries for Neighbouring Businesses during construction and provide updates and responses as required based on project scope;
5. Provide public access that is safe, accessible, and easy to follow, around City projects
6. Implement initiatives that work to build customer experience and confidence and promote business area vitality

Since 2022, The City has tested business-friendly approaches on select projects. These initiatives have included alternative parking solutions, dedicated business liaisons, impact assessments, improved directional signage and marketing campaigns. More information on The City’s business-friendly approaches can be found at Calgary.ca/businessfriendlyconstruction.

On March 19, 2024, City Council directed Administration to advance work on establishing a Business-Friendly Construction Policy and present the Policy to the Infrastructure and Planning Committee.

Through this project, we are refining business-friendly construction approach and have collected input from Calgarians to help shape clear and effective policy statements. These policy statements are focused on a common set of priorities and help guide The City’s overall approach to supporting businesses and their customers during planned City-led construction. As we implement the policy, we will continue to evaluate and report on progress.

Click the tabs to view previous engagement phases

Throughout 2025, we will engage with the public to better understand the perspectives of businesses and Calgarians experiencing City-led construction. This will allow us to gather valuable ideas and input, ensuring that the policy objectives are informed by the needs of businesses and their customers.

The City is listening to a wide range of interest holders including businesses and their customers, construction industry partners and City Administration. This approach ensures the final policy recommendation is reflective of business and customer needs and practical to implement.

Phase 2 focused on gathering feedback from customers through an online survey. Pop-up engagements were held across the city to promote the survey and provide opportunities for customers to talk directly with the project team.

Follow up meetings and workshops were also held with business organizations. During Phase 2, the team built on the feedback gathered during phase 1 to further explore the emerging themes.

The Phase 1 What We Heard Report is available here.

The results from the business-focused survey promoted during phase 1 are being summarized and will be shared together with the What We Heard Report for Phase 2. Draft policy objectives will be made available in early June to gather further feedback from interested parties.

Phase 3 included taking the feedback collected in Phase 1 and Phase 2, sharing a summarized report of both phases of engagement and key findings from research that was also conducted.

What We Heard Reports and other feedback:

• Phase 1

• Phase 2

• Summary of Phase 1 and 2 of engagement and results from research conducted

8 key themes emerged from the feedback, providing an overview of what we heard from businesses, customers and business organizations. The themes represent what these interest-holders would like us to focus on to improve their experience during City-led construction.

The feedback was also used to develop 5 draft policy objectives which were shared as part of this phase of engagement.

What We Heard Report for this phase:

• Phase 3

Throughout the research and engagement conducted for this policy project to date, some overarching themes have emerged. These are listed below. For a complete summary, check out the Summary of Phase 1 and 2 engagement and results from research conducted.