Bringing Industry Expertise to the Table

Off-site levies are charges collected by municipalities from new development to help fund the infrastructure needed to support community growth, including transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater management systems. 

BOWDA supports the principle that growth should contribute fairly to the infrastructure it requires and advocates for levy frameworks that are transparent, evidence-based, and aligned with legislation. 

By promoting clear and fair methodologies for allocating costs and benefits, we help support housing affordability, investment certainty, responsible growth, and the long-term resilience of the Bow Valley’s communities and infrastructure.

The Engineering Design & Construction Guidelines (EDCG) establish the technical standards and engineering design requirements for municipal infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and servicing. Because these requirements directly influence project delivery, infrastructure performance, public safety, and long-term maintenance, it is important that they are practical, technically sound, and responsive to local conditions. 

These guidelines play a critical role in shaping how infrastructure is planned, designed, constructed, and maintained across the community. BOWDA works with municipalities and industry professionals to support standards that reflect evolving best practices, local conditions, operational requirements, and long-term community objectives. BOWDA advocacy helps ensure standards achieve their intended outcomes while remaining practical, efficient, and effective to implement.

BOWDA supports municipalities during major EDCG reviews and advocates for ongoing dialogue and continuous improvement between formal update cycles. By facilitating the exchange of information between industry and administration, we help identify emerging issues, lessons learned through implementation, opportunities for clarification, and evolving operational needs. 

This collaborative feedback process supports well-informed decision-making and helps ensure infrastructure standards continue to deliver long-term value for both the community and the municipality.

Land use bylaws establish how land can be used and developed within a municipality, including zoning, permitted uses, density, setbacks, parking requirements, and development standards. They are one of the most important tools municipalities use to shape housing, economic development, neighborhood character, sustainability, and long-term community growth. 

The effectiveness of a land use bylaw depends not only on the goals it seeks to achieve, but also on how clearly and predictably those policies can be applied in practice. BOWDA works with municipalities and industry professionals to provide technical expertise, implementation perspectives, and practical feedback that help support well-informed planning decisions. 

By fostering dialogue between industry, administration, and the community, we help identify opportunities to align regulatory frameworks with community objectives while supporting efficient processes, investment certainty, and the successful delivery of housing, businesses, and community-serving development.

The Utility Master Plan establishes a municipality’s long-term vision for water, wastewater, and related infrastructure that supports homes, businesses, and community growth. The plan plays an important role in shaping housing delivery, economic investment, environmental performance, infrastructure capacity, and long-term community resilience.

Given the significant costs and long planning horizons associated with utility infrastructure, it is important that infrastructure investments are supported by sound data, practical implementation considerations, and a clear understanding of future needs. 

BOWDA provides technical expertise and industry feedback on proposed updates, helping municipalities evaluate servicing strategies, infrastructure capacity, growth projections, and funding approaches. By contributing industry perspectives and real-world experience, we help support informed decision-making and infrastructure plans that balance community objectives, long-term sustainability, and responsible growth.

The Integrated Transportation Plan (ITP) establishes the long-term vision for transportation throughout the community, including roads, transit, cycling, walking, parking, and future mobility needs. Transportation planning plays a critical role in shaping housing, economic development, accessibility, community connection, environmental sustainability, and the overall quality of life for residents. 

The ITP is also closely connected to other municipal planning frameworks, including land use, infrastructure, utilities, and community development. 

Because transportation decisions have lasting impacts on growth, investment, mobility, and municipal infrastructure, it is important that policies and projects are informed by both community objectives and practical implementation perspectives to help municipalities evaluate how transportation policies, design standards, and infrastructure investments influence housing delivery, business activity, infrastructure coordination, and long term community resilience. 

Through ongoing dialogue with municipalities and interest holders, we advocate for transportation solutions that are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with broader community goals.

The Open Spaces & Trails Plan guides the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of parks, recreation areas, natural spaces, and trail networks throughout the community. These spaces contribute to residents’ quality of life, support environmental stewardship, enhance community connectivity, and help preserve the unique character that makes the Bow Valley a desirable place to live, work, and visit. 

Open space planning is closely connected to land use, transportation, infrastructure, environmental conservation, and community growth. It is important that decisions consider both long-term community objectives and practical implementation opportunities. 

BOWDA contributes industry expertise and development perspectives to help municipalities evaluate how open space, recreation, and environmental goals can be integrated into evolving communities. Through constructive dialogue and technical feedback, we support balanced approaches that enhance community amenities, protect valued natural assets, and contribute to vibrant, connected, and resilient neighbourhoods. 

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) evaluate the potential environmental effects of proposed developments and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to wildlife, natural areas, water resources, and other environmental features. 

BOWDA supports clear, science-based processes that protect the environment while providing transparency and consistency in environmental review. Clear expectations around information requirements, assessment methodologies, and decision-making criteria help support effective environmental stewardship, informed planning decisions, and greater certainty for all parties involved.