Plans

In addition to the official plan and strategic plan, the city is guided by other long-range plans in key areas.

Accessibility Plan

The City of Waterloo works with advice from the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee to develop and update a corporate accessibility plan. 

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires municipalities to develop an accessibility plan to remove of barriers for people with disabilities. Municipalities must also seek advice from an accessibility advisory committee on the contents of their plans.

Supporting documents (PDFs)

Asset Management Plan

Completed in 2016, the plan is an inventory of the city’s assets, their condition and monitoring and prioritizing their rehabilitation. It is linked to our Long-term Financial Plan. 

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Updates
For more information on asset management, including report cards and public engagement results, visit our topic on EngageWR.

Beaver Creek Meadows District Plan

The district plan is a guide that outlines where and how the community will grow and develop. The plan was developed through public meetings, engagement with stakeholders and an advisory committee. Council approved the plan in January 2016.

The district plan outlines future land use and includes policies regarding natural and cultural heritage, urban design, transportation and infrastructure.

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Maps

Cemetery Services Bechtel Park Master Plan

Finalized in 2009, this plan establishes land use for Parkview Cemetery and Bechtel Park over the next 15 years.

Community, Culture and Recreation Services Master Plan

Finalized in 2008, this plan is in force until 2028 and identifies strategies in parks, sports, heritage, community and arts and culture. It includes service delivery policy, placing priority on a working community organization.

Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan

Projected changes in the city's climate are expected to result in more freezing rain events, wind storms, heavy rainfalls and volatile temperatures. This impacts the city’s infrastructure and ability to deliver municipal services.

Completed in 2019, the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan includes actions that help the city adapt our assets, operations and services to address the impacts of a changing climate.

Goals of the plan
  • minimize health and safety risks to outdoor workers and community members
  • generate awareness of changing climate conditions with staff and the public
  • ensure a coordinated response to extreme weather events
  • consider climate change impacts in infrastructure design, construction and maintenance
  • foster resiliency within the urban forest and natural landscape
  • reduce risk associated with heavy rainfall and flooding
  • minimize the disruption of city services
  • integrate climate adaptation into the city planning and operations
Documents (PDF)

If you require this information in an alternate format, contact 519-741-8531, TTY (for deaf) 1-866-786-3941 or robyn.mcmullen@waterloo.ca

Culture Plan

The plan spans from 2014 to 2024 and works to define what culture means to Waterloo, how we are going to support culture and what support means to our community.

Supporting documents

Emergency Management Master Plan

Finalized in 2017, this plan establishes guidelines for a coordinated response to a number of risks the city could face. 

Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan

Finalized in 2019, this plan establishes guidelines for lowering the city's contributions to greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases are emitted by city-owned assets and through functions which include community and staff use of buildings, fleet, equipment, wastewater management treatment, outdoor lighting, solid waste and business travel. 

Light Rail Transit Station Planning

Station area planning is the process of understanding how the land around station areas can take advantage of rapid transit. During the Region of Waterloo's construction of light rail transit system, the city led the planning of the station areas in Waterloo. The area generally includes anything within a 10-minute walk from the station or about 800 metres.

Following extensive public consultation, council approved station area plans in 2017. The plans officially came into force in February 2018, and have been incorporated into the city and region's official plans.

Long-term Financial Plan

Initiated in 2017, the long-term financial plan is a 25-year strategy to manage operating costs and plan for future infrastructure funding. It is linked to our Asset Management Plan.

In April 2018 staff provided an update on the public engagement process and received council approval for changes that will assist long-term funding for growth and rehabilitation of city assets.

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Next steps

Funding strategies for the long-term financial plan will be referred to the 2020 to 2022 budget process. Council will not be approving any funding strategies until that time.

During that process, staff and council will look at ways to balance costs associated with owning and operating infrastructure assets with levels of service expected by residents.

Sanitary Master Plan

This plan for Waterloo’s sanitary system ensures that we're able to meet the needs of an increasing population and workforce. It covers from 2015 to 2031.

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Appendices

Stormwater Master Plan

Following public engagement in 2017 and 2018, this plan is complete. It provides the city with a stormwater management strategy to identify, protect and enhance natural features, ecological function and biophysical integrity. The ultimate goal is to protect our rivers, streams and ground water. 

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Appendices

If you require this information in an alternate format, contact Jessica Kellerman, jessica.kellerman@waterloo.ca, 519-886-2310, ext. 78243.

Transportation Master Plan

Completed in 2011, the plan provides direction for transportation planning and decision making with four guiding principles: accessibility, choice, sustainability and fiscally responsibility.

We're currently collecting feedback to review and update the Transportation Master Plan. Sign up for updates and check the link below for regular information.

Comment on this topic

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Appendices

Water Distribution Master Plan

This plan models the performance of Waterloo’s water distribution network from 2017 to 2031. It builds on the Region of Waterloo’s water supply distribution and operation master plan.

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Appendices

Waterloo Park Master Plan 

Finalized in 2009, the plan is used to guide the development of Waterloo Park over the next 20 years. 

Supporting documents (PDFs)
Appendices