Land Use Plan

UBC is a place to learn, live, work and play. A unique place that blends academic excellence with natural settings, and where people can get around comfortably by convenient public transportation, walking and bicycling.

For More Information

This page contains information on the existing Land Use Plan. For information about Campus Vision 2050 or the December 2023 Draft UBC Land Use Plan, please visit campusvision2050.ubc.ca/lup.

Overview

UBC's Land Use Plan sets the long-term direction for land use and transportation. The Land Use Plan was created in 2010 from UBC's previous Official Community Plan. The provincial government approves UBC's Land Use Plan. 

The vision is for a compact, complete community that provides daily needs within walking distance and a university community that integrates academic, neighbourhood and natural spaces while respecting its neighbours.

Download the UBC Land Use Plan

Key Components of the Land Use Plan

Land Uses

There are three main land uses in the plan: Academic (teaching, research, and other, including student housing), Green Academic (open areas that support land-based teaching, research, etc), and Neighbourhood Housing Areas (providing a range of rental and long-term lease housing).

Land Use Plan
The Land Use Plan specifies the land uses allowed on the UBC Vancouver campus

Public Amenities

Public amenities have set minimum and / or maximum thresholds. These include open space (Usable Neighbourhood Open Space (UNOS)), greenways, green edges, tree replacement, community centres, schools, daycares, commercial centres and more.

Transportation

Transportation includes measures to reduce car travel and parking, increase public transit and promote walking and bicycles.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure (streets, energy, water, rainwater runoff, sewers, etc.) commitments include ensuring infrastructure will be sustainable, minimizes impacts off campus (e.g. Pacific Spirit Park) and delivered in time for people moving in.

Updates to the Land Use Plan

Land use plans respond the local, regional and global challenges. They set the long term direction, but need to be flexible to respond to changes. UBC engages the community in a Land Use Plan amendment process when changes are required. There have been minor updates to the Land Use Plan made via amendments since 2011, and a full update is recommended every 10 years. 

UBC’s Board of Governors approves detailed policies to carry out the Land Use Plan’s vision. On academic lands, the Vancouver Campus Plan policies guide development. These policies include more student housing, improving outdoor spaces, and using the campus as a living laboratory.

In campus neighbourhoods, UBC’s Board of Governors approves Neighbourhood Plans to guide residential development. These Plans include specific policies for features like park space, recreation, transportation and building height. 

Metro Vancouver is currently updating their 2040 plan to extend to 2050. And UBC is planning on updating our Land Use Plan to 2050 to align with Metro Vancouver and TransLink’s.

UBC Land Use Plan Timeline

1997
UBC Official Community Plan adopted
1997

UBC Official Community Plan adopted

The predecessor of the Land Use Plan 

2000
Memorandum of Understanding signed with Metro Vancouver
2000

Memorandum of Understanding signed with Metro Vancouver

UBC signed MOU regarding neighbourhood planning

2001
Hawthorn Neighbourhood Plan adopted
2001

Hawthorn Neighbourhood Plan adopted

Neighbourhood construction now complete 

2001
Chancellor Place Neighbourhood Plan approved
2001

Chancellor Place Neighbourhood Plan approved

Neighbourhood construction now complete

2004
East Campus Neighbourhood Plan approved
2004

East Campus Neighbourhood Plan approved

Neighbourhood construction now complete 

2004
U Boulevard Area Plan approved
2004

U Boulevard Area Plan approved

Area construction is ongoing

2005
Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan approved
2005

Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan approved

Neighbourhood construction is ongoing

2010
UBC Land Use Plan adopted
2010

UBC Land Use Plan adopted

Replaced the Official Community Plan 

2010
UBC Vancouver Campus Plan approved
2010

UBC Vancouver Campus Plan approved

Replaced the 1992 Main Campus Plan 

2011
UBC Land Use Plan amended
2011

UBC Land Use Plan amended

Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan also amended

2011
UBC Land Use Plan amended
2011

UBC Land Use Plan amended

Shifted development from UBC Farm to Wesbrook Place

2015
UBC Land Use Plan amended
2015

UBC Land Use Plan amended

To include a Regional Context Statement 

2016
Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan amended
2016

Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan amended

To enable new forms of development and urban design

2017
Stadium Neighbourhood planning process
2017

Stadium Neighbourhood planning process

The timing and proposed form of development of the future Stadium Neighbourhood will be considered and adjusted in the context of the long term vision for the campus.

More Details 

Campus Vision 2050
10 year Update to the UBC Land Use Plan
Campus Vision 2050

10 year Update to the UBC Land Use Plan

A comprehensive planning process for the Vancouver campus that will result in a 30-Year Vision, Land Use Plan update and a new 10-Year Campus Plan.

More Details