Banff Greenlights Its 10-Year Roadmap

BANFF, Alberta - Banff Town Council has formally adopted the new Banff Community Plan, a document that will guide the mountain town’s growth and development for the next decade.

The plan passed its third and final reading at a special council meeting on Sept. 16, with councillors spending the last session on fine-tuning the language before the unanimous vote. Mayor Corrie DiManno called the decision “the culmination of years of work,” noting that the substance of the plan had been settled earlier in the process. “Today is about accuracy and clarity,” she said before the vote.

The 2025 Banff Community Plan replaces the previous framework adopted in 2007. At more than 100 pages, it lays out a policy roadmap for housing, transportation, the environment, and the local economy, reflecting Banff’s unique position as a community located within a national park and bounded by a federally legislated growth limit.

Housing

Housing remains one of Banff’s most pressing and persistent challenges. With a fixed town boundary and limited developable land, every new unit must be carefully planned. The plan acknowledges this reality and sets a clear direction: accommodate more people within the same footprint through redevelopment, infill, and more efficient land use.

Between January 2024 and mid-2025, more housing units entered the pipeline than in the previous decade combined. That surge included larger redevelopment projects and new housing in mixed-use zones, alongside smaller additions like secondary suites and accessory dwellings. The plan aims to build on that momentum.

Policy directions call for optimizing the existing developed area, incentivizing the conversion of underused commercial space to housing, and ensuring that new development aligns with the town’s land use policies and design standards. A particular emphasis is placed on housing for Banff’s workforce, who make up the majority of residents but often struggle to find affordable, stable accommodation in a tourism-driven market.

The plan also outlines the need for stronger partnerships with employers, developers, and Parks Canada to create more employee housing, as well as reviewing zoning to enable a broader mix of housing types. While it does not set hard numerical targets for new units, the clear intent is to keep housing supply moving upward within the strict environmental and spatial limits.

Transportation

Traffic congestion and parking pressure have become defining features of Banff’s peak visitor seasons, with millions of annual visitors arriving by private vehicle. The Community Plan seeks to shift this dynamic by prioritizing walking, cycling, and public transit, aiming to make these modes the easiest and most appealing ways to get around town.

The plan sets mode share targets for transit, active transportation, and private vehicles, signaling a long-term commitment to reducing car dependency. It envisions expanded separated pathway networks to connect key residential and visitor areas, improved wayfinding to help visitors navigate without cars, and infrastructure that better supports year-round walking and cycling.

On transit, the plan emphasizes expanding local service and strengthening regional connections. This includes exploring increased service between Banff and Canmore, better integration with Roam Transit’s regional network, and improving stops and shelters to encourage higher ridership. It also calls for working closely with Parks Canada and provincial transportation authorities to manage the flow of vehicles into and around the townsite.

The document frames transportation not just as a mobility issue but as one tied to environmental protection, resident well-being, and visitor experience. Reducing vehicle congestion is seen as key to preserving Banff’s small-town character and protecting its surrounding landscapes.

Environment

Banff’s location inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site sets it apart from other municipalities, and the Community Plan reflects that responsibility. Environmental stewardship is not treated as a separate policy area but as a foundation that informs every other decision.

One of the core strategies is to direct all future growth inward to protect the natural environment surrounding the town. This containment approach has been in place since incorporation but is reiterated and reinforced throughout the plan. By focusing development within existing boundaries, Banff aims to limit habitat fragmentation and safeguard the ecological integrity of the Bow Valley.

The plan identifies climate resilience as a major community priority. This includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient buildings and municipal operations, while also adapting to the realities of a changing climate. Wildfire risk reduction is highlighted as an urgent concern, with goals to work closely with Parks Canada on fuel management and emergency planning. Water conservation is another focus, with policies supporting efficient water use, maintaining high water quality, and ensuring infrastructure can withstand extreme weather events.

The vision statement frames Banff as a “steward of global resilience,” emphasizing the town’s role as both a local community and an international symbol of protected landscapes. This language underscores the plan’s approach: growth and change are acceptable only if they do not compromise the park that surrounds the town.

Economy and Culture

Tourism is the backbone of Banff’s economy, but the plan acknowledges the risks of overreliance on a single sector. It calls for diversifying the economy to make the community more resilient to shocks and to better meet the needs of year-round residents.

One area of focus is supporting local entrepreneurship and small businesses that serve both visitors and locals. The plan encourages year-round economic activity through cultural programming, shoulder-season events, and partnerships that broaden Banff’s appeal beyond the summer peak.

Indigenous partnerships are another major theme. The plan supports working closely with Indigenous communities to share stories, steward the land, and develop cultural initiatives that reflect the full history of the region. It recognizes Indigenous-led tourism and cultural programming as opportunities for both economic growth and reconciliation.

Arts and culture are positioned as vital to community identity. The plan calls for supporting cultural institutions, encouraging public art, and expanding spaces for creative expression. By strengthening cultural life, Banff aims to deepen residents’ connection to place and offer visitors a richer experience than sightseeing alone.

A Framework for the Next Decade

Before the plan officially takes effect, it must receive final approval from the minister responsible for Parks Canada. This step is required under Banff’s Incorporation Agreement. The plan has already been sent to Parks Canada for review, and the town is now awaiting that sign-off.

Once approved by Parks Canada, all future land use bylaws, infrastructure investments, and capital projects must align with its goals and vision. The document will shape decisions on development, transportation, environmental protection, and economic strategy for years to come.