Calgary Plan

KEY IDEAS

Protecting, connecting and integrating natural spaces

The Calgary Plan protects existing natural spaces, connects fragmented network pieces and ensures more equitable access to nature for all Calgarians.

When nature thrives and is woven through a city, it provides many environmental, social and economic benefits. Building a city that integrates natural spaces:

  • Protects biodiversity and healthy ecosystems
  • Filters environmental toxins
  • Contributes to physical and mental health
  • Moderates temperature and moisture
  • Connects to cultural and spiritual expression
  • Provides fresh water, air and food
  • Attracts and retains the people that sustain our businesses and organizations
  • During the initial phase, participants emphasized Calgary’s natural features as three out of the top five most valued traits
  • There is a strong desire among participants for increased connections to nature within neighborhoods
  • Access to the outdoors is a prominent factor influencing people's decisions to move to or stay in Calgary

CITY STRUCTURE MAP

Identifies areas to prioritize ecological connections and natural health in parks, public open spaces and streets. The map shows:

  • High-level ecological network
  • Rivers and creeks

Note: Additional corridors are currently under review as part of Connect: Calgary's Parks Plan and may be added later.


City Structure Map

Zoning Bylaw

ZONING BYLAW

The Zoning Bylaw includes regulations to help implement the Calgary Plan’s goals for nature, including:

  • A zone for natural areas
  • A zone for parks and open space
  • Updated landscaping regulations to:
    • Encourage landscape design that contributes to biodiversity
    • Allow more options to address natural stormwater absorption and filtration
    • Incentivize natural landscaping and climate change-responsive choices

Check out the Survey tab above to share your thoughts!

Survey

Other Engagement

The City Building program team is working closely with the Connect: Calgary’s Parks Plan project and the Calgary River Valleys Project to incorporate feedback across projects. The Calgary River Valleys Project has engagement on now! The next phase of engagement for the Connect project is this spring. Click the links above to learn more.