Regional Plan Review
The Halifax Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (the Regional Plan) sets out a common vision, principles and long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place between now and 2031.
The second five-year review is underway and work will continue into 2022.
The project team is finalizing the "What We Heard Report" on Phase 2 engagement for Regional Council’s consideration in fall, 2021. The municipality will conduct Phase 3 community engagement in winter/spring 2022.
This website is the place where you can access content, materials and supporting research for the Halifax Regional Municipal Planning Strategy Plan Review. You can also find out about the project process, including public engagement activities. We welcome your input and participation in the process. Through the Regional Plan Review we are focused on the following ideas:
Themes and Directions
The Themes introduce the main overall topic areas and can be found in the Content and Webinars tab at the bottom of the page or you may click on this link. There are 11 themes in total which are briefly described and explained or you can read the entire theme in more detail. You may also dive deeper into issue papers that relate to the theme or read further into the background materials that helped to develop the theme.
Public Engagement
Phase 2 of our engagement process closed on July 16, 2021. The feedback we received will help provide focus and direction for future work during the project. You may still access the recorded webinars and FAQ pages.
If you have questions about the Regional Plan Review, you may still reach us at regionalplan@halifax.ca or by phone at 902-233-2501.
Regional Plan Webinars:
The Regional Plan Review team and content contributors hosted live virtual Q&A sessions on key topics including housing, social policy, climate change, the environment, mobility and long range planning. These events were recorded and posted under the Q&A Recorded Webinars sidebar. You may also click on the links below as the videos become available.
Topics included the following:
- Social Policy Webinar Video – Acting on new partnerships, to rethink our values, and include underrepresented or untold views and histories within our region. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
- Housing Webinar Video – Making smart decisions about housing and employment to quickly direct growth to the right places, in a way that furthers our community goals, and builds a healthy, thriving economy. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
- Climate Change Webinar Video– Taking action to reduce our emissions and preparing our communities for climate hazards. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
- Environment - Strengthening and protecting important natural and cultural places and using them to shape our region’s communities. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
- Mobility - Linking decisions land use and transportation and organize our transportation system for people by focusing on walking, rolling, and riding. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
- Long Range Planning – Generating ideas about how to change and transform as a community as we move towards the future. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
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Themes and Directions Content
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Themes and Directions
The Themes introduce the main overall topic areas. There are 11 themes in total. In the table, each theme is briefly described and explained. If you would like to read the entire theme, there is a link to read the theme in more detail. You may also dive deeper into issue papers that relate to the theme or read further into the background materials that helped to develop the theme.
Theme Description and Supporting Documents A quick snapshot of the Regional Plan ideas can be found here:
The Background to the Themes and Direction Document can be found here:
A link to the full Themes and Direction Document can be found here:
Theme 1: Considering the Regional Scale First
The Regional Plan sets out a common vision and long-range, region-wide planning Policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place between now and 2031. The Municipality’s physical geographic constraints, existing and planned water and wastewater infrastructure, transit boundary, as well as the location of employment and community facilities significantly impacts where and how the region grows’. A full description of Theme Area 1 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Theme 2: Building Healthier and More Complete Communities
The Regional Plan provides guidance for the development of communities across the municipality to build healthier, more complete communities by setting policy direction at a regional scale to strengthen our citizens’ quality of life by maximizing our municipal services and amenities. A full description of Theme Area 2 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Issue Papers
Additional Materials
Theme 3: Reconsidering Employment and Industrial Lands
The Halifax Regional Municipality is the economic hub of Atlantic Canada. The Regional Plan highlights important components of regional economic development, including protection for industrial lands, business parks, the Halifax Harbour and other coastal areas, as well as support for the rural economy. A full description of Theme Area 3 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Theme 4: Transforming How We Move in our Region
The Regional Plan supports safe, sustainable and accessible travel options to move conveniently throughout the region. A regional transportation system links people and communities with each other and with goods, services and opportunities in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable way. The Municipality recognizes that transportation and land use planning are inseparable and the decision-making process for both must be integrated. A full description of Theme Area 4 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Theme 5: Social Planning for Community Well-Being
Since the last Regional Plan review Regional Council has played an increasing role in socially minded policies and directives including:
- Endorsing: the Housing Needs Assessment, Halifax Food Action Plan, Anti-Poverty Solutions Strategy
- Creating: the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Increasing presence of the African Nova Scotia Integrated Affairs Office
- Partnering: with Mobile Food Market, Halifax Food Policy Alliance, Housing and Homelessness Partnership
- Collaborating: with not-for-profits and the Province
A full description of Theme Area 5 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Issue Paper:
Additional Materials
- Accessibility Strategy
- Report of the Task Force on the Commemoration of Edward Cornwallis and the Recognition and Commemoration of Indigenous History
- African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity
- Diversity and Inclusion Framework
- Housing and Homelessness Partnership
- Homeless Partnering Strategy
- Accessibility Directorate
Theme 6: Celebrating Culture & Heritage
HRM is home to diverse cultures and histories that are expressed in many ways. Tangible assets, such as heritage buildings and sites, speak to the evolution of the community over time, while intangible assets, such as events, provide an opportunity to preserve and foster living traditions. Sharing Our Stories will provide a regional approach to the preservation of these heritage and cultural resources, which will be reflected in the Regional Plan review. A full description of Theme Area 6 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Theme 7: Integrating Community Facilities and Parks
Parks and community facilities are an essential component of complete communities that support healthy lifestyles for all residents. Currently, in HRM there are more than 900 municipal parks, including playgrounds, sport courts, playing fields and other specialized amenities, as well as over 65 indoor community facilities, ranging from small community centres to large complexes with pools, arena and gymnasiums. Facilities provided by other organizations, such as schools and emergency facilities, also play an important role in the livability of our communities and should be considered when planning for development.
A full description of Theme Area 7 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials:
Theme 8: Enhancing Environmental Protection
Open spaces and waterbodies are vital to maintaining a healthy, sustainable and desirable region. They provide important habitats and ecosystems, support economic activity, shape communities, provide opportunities for recreation, and reflect local culture and history. Momentum is building for work taking place in approved priority plans:
- Halifax Green Network Plan: identifies ways the Municipality can better identify and protect landscapes
- HalifACT: supports the preservation of open spaces and waterbodies as part of efforts to reduce emissions and help communities adapt to climate change.
A full description of Theme Area 8 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Issue Paper:
Theme 9: Leading Through Action on Climate
Climate change is real, urgent, complex, and a global crisis. With the changing climate, we face hazards to health, economic growth, safety and the natural world. In HRM, Regional Council has declared a climate emergency and, guided by HalifACT the Municipality is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support communities’ resiliency to the effects of climate change. A full description of Theme Area 9 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Theme 10: Imagining HRM into 2050 and Beyond
As 2020 has taught us, society can change dramatically over a short time. However, with long-range planning, the municipality can be better prepared to handle an uncertain future, and to some extent, even direct what the future can look like based on a shared vision. Now that this plan is nearing the end of its lifespan (2031), it is time to begin thinking about what we want HRM to look like further into the future. A full description of Theme Area 10 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Theme 11: Assessing the Impacts of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global public health crisis that has significant implications for the social and economic well-being of our region. HRM is facing great uncertainty, and the Regional Plan can help to guide the Municipality’s recovery and response. A full description of Theme Area 11 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Issue Papers
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Preliminary Population & Housing Analysis (12.5 MB) (pdf)
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Affordable Housing Issue Paper July 2021 (2.1 MB) (pdf)
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Rural Issue Paper May 2021 (6.18 MB) (pdf)
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Suburban Issue Paper May 2021 (8.5 MB) (pdf)
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Open Space Issue Paper May 2021 (2.42 MB) (pdf)
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Density Bonusing Issue Paper May 2021 (317 KB) (pdf)
Q & A Presentations & Transcripts
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Social Policy Presentation & Transcript - June 11 (2.81 MB) (pdf)
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Housing Presentation & Transcript - June 14 (3.4 MB) (pdf)
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Climate Presentation & Transcript - June 15 (3.49 MB) (pdf)
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Environment Presentation & Transcript - June 15 (2.52 MB) (pdf)
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Mobility Presentation & Transcript - June 16 (2.68 MB) (pdf)
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Long Range Planning Presentation & Transcript - June 16 (4.68 MB) (pdf)
