Original Official Community Plan Vision:
Through future planning initiatives associated with the Official Community Plan, a special university community will evolve through innovation, renewal, and a quest for excellence based on experimentation and demonstration. It will be a diverse and stimulating place for living, working, and learning in harmony with the environment. The natural integrity of Pacific Spirit Regional Park will be a highly valued part of the community.
About the Official Community Plan
UBC’s OCP was originally adopted by the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD – now Metro Vancouver) in July 1997 to set policies for land use at UBC’s Vancouver campus, specifically for non-institutional development. Development of the OCP involved a three-year consultative process involving the GVRD, UBC, stakeholder groups from both on and off campus, and the public.
The OCP also sets housing and transportation targets for the UBC campus. Each year, UBC assesses its progress against these targets. UBC has since met or exceeded transportation and housing targets outlined in the OCP.
From OCP to Land Use Plan
In 2010 the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act, Part 10 – 2010 was introduced by the Province as part of Bill 20 on April 29, 2010. The Act responds to the joint request from Metro Vancouver and UBC that the provincial government relieve the GVRD of its responsibilities for local land use planning for the campus. The Act transfers the responsibility for approving a land use plan for UBC’s Vancouver campus from Metro Vancouver to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (formerly Community and Rural Development), who will consult with the Minister of Science and Universities (formerly Advanced Education and Labour Market Development). This enables Metro Vancouver to focus on its regional roles and responsibilities.
The OCP for UBC’s Vancouver campus was adopted as UBC’s Land Use Plan with the passing of provincial Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act, Part 10-2010 in June 2010.
Vancouver Campus Plan
In 2010, UBC adopted a new Vancouver Campus Plan, which covers the academic components of UBC’s Vancouver camps north and south of 16th Avenue, which is about 80% of the campus land base. The Vancouver Campus Plan differs from the LUP in that it guides where and how future academic research activities, student housing, and associated campus services will be accommodated.
Neighbourhood Plans
For each of UBC’s residential family housing areas, UBC develops a neighbourhood plan. Neighbourhood Plans are local area plans that provide detailed guidance within the residential and commercial local areas identified in the Land Use Plan. The Neighbourhood Plans identify the layout and distribution of housing, parks, schools, community centres within each neighbourhood. They are developed in consultation with the UBC community, the University Neighbourhoods Association and other affected neighbours and must be consistent with the Land Use Plan. No housing proceeds in any neighbourhood until its Neighbourhood Plan is complete and adopted by the Board of Governors.
