Area Structure Plans
Guiding Calgary's growth Area Structure Plans
An Area Structure Plan (ASP) is a long-term planning document that guides growth and development of undeveloped lands into a complete community. An ASP is the first step in setting general land use concepts and establishing overarching planning policies that guide the development of unserviced lands within Calgary’s city limits. This development from “dirt to door” happens over a long time, typically from 20 to 30 years.
ASPs guide Calgary's growth
Calgary’s population is growing and will continue to grow well into the future. We need to continue to make our city an attractive place for people to want to live and make a great life. To accommodate the growing population and housing needs, an ASP identifies and highlights how development can occur in new land areas in ways that complement city-wide goals and objectives for growth and development.
With ASPs in place, growth in undeveloped lands and their surrounding environment can happen in a manner that meets our growing housing, commercial and industrial needs. ASPs put in place land use concept that sets the vision for how newly developed communities will integrate well into established communities. That way, there is certainty for how new communities will be better supported as development occurs and a vision for how they’ll stay vibrant for decades to come.
ASPs matter
Having an ASP in place is important to ensure growth and development in greenfield meets Council’s agenda for growth and caters for diverse social and economic needs.
As Calgary grows, ASPs play a role in making sure the city continues to be a great place to live, work and play. They support the growth and development of greenfield lands into vibrant communities that has a mix of housing and employment-intensive uses.
When we build new communities, some of the most important considerations are making sure we include all the elements of a complete community:
- A mix of housing types, forms and tenures.
- Opportunities for recreational and public amenities.
- Parks, natural areas and pathways.
- Opportunities for commercial, business and industrial uses.
- Access to safe and sustainable servicing.
- Proximity to major transit routes and future transit networks.
- High quality pathways and street connections designed to allow for multi-modal transportation (bikes, strollers, walking).
Ongoing ASPs
Learn more and find out how to get involved in ongoing area structure plans:
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We've started the process of revising the area structure plan for Nose Creek lands which is generally bounded by the Livingston neighbourhood to the west, Deerfoot Trail to the east, Highway 566 to the north, and Stoney Trail Northwest to the south.”
Recently completed ASPs
Learn more about recently completed area structure plans:
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This Plan was approved by City of Calgary Council on September 9, 2025. The Plan Area includes Harvest Hills Blvd N. to the west, Beddington Trail N.W. to the south, 96 Ave N.E. to the north and CPKC rail line to the east.
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This Plan was approved by City of Calgary Council on September 9, 2025. The Plan Area includes Pine Creek to the north, 16 Street West Macleod Trail S.E. to the east, Highway 552 to the south, and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway corridor to the west.
Existing ASPs
For more information on approved ASPs, visit the Planning and Development resource library to access approved ASP policy documents.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Area Structure Plan (ASP)?
An Area Structure Plan (ASP) is a long-term policy document the City of Calgary creates and consults to guide how a large area of land will be developed. It helps plan several neighborhoods at once.
ASPs help create welcoming and vibrant communities. They plan where homes, businesses, schools, parks, and other services will go. It also explains how important services—like water, sewer, roads, fire protection, and schools—will be provided.
These plans also estimate how many people will live in the area and outline the steps for building the community over time.
ASPs refine and implement the broader objectives contained in Regional and City-Wide Policies such as the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan. City staff from various departments work with community residents, business owners, landowners and developers to create these long-term documents.
What is the developer-funded ASP planning process?
Typically, ASPs in Calgary are prepared using a developer-funded model whereby developer offset The City’s cost in formulating an ASP. This practice has been endorsed and supported by City Council since 2013. This practice ensures that taxpayers are not covering the cost for future growth within the greenfield areas of the city.
Creating ASPs require a lot of time, effort, and public input. The developer-funded approach can speed up the planning process and encourages collaboration between The City, landowners, developers, and the public.
The process for a developer-funded ASP is unique to every project, but we follow these basic steps in collaboration with a developer:
- Determine the need for an ASP in a specific community or area of land.
- Develop priorities and principles for the plan area.
- A single developer enters into a funding agreement with The City to cover the costs of producing an ASP.
- Distribute project information to landowners within the plan area and adjacent residents.
- Develop background information and draft land use concepts for consideration.
- Refine land use concepts based on feedback.
- Produce a single, draft land use concept and policies for review.
- Further review and refinement of the land use concept and policies based on the feedback received.
- City’s technical review of the proposed concept.
- City’s acceptance of all technical studies required to evaluate, service and support the development of the plan area.
- City drafts a final ASP based on technical feasibility, City policies, Council priorities, internal and external partners feedback, and landowner rights.
IPC (Infrastructure Planning Committee) reviews Administration’s report and the proposed ASP and may comment on or change the recommendation provided by Administration.
- Review by Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC).
- City Council reviews the bylaws, reports and recommendation provided by City Administration and IPC. If Council is in favour of the Policy they will provide first, second and third reading.
- Council makes a decision whether or not to approve the new ASP.
Why are ASPs so important?
The creation of a new ASP is one of the first and most crucial steps for accommodating future development in undeveloped or greenfield areas.
It is a thorough and highly technical exercise that determines how the lands will be serviced, the type and location of development that can be built, and how the community connects within and between adjacent communities.
It considers how people can move around, where they can shop, recreate, or relax and essentially how to provide for a complete community where you can live, work and play.
What’s included in an ASP?
An Area Structure Plan (ASP) includes several key parts that help guide how a new community will be built. Here's what it covers:
- Land Use Concept (LUC)
This is a big-picture map showing where major features of the community will go. It includes things like schools, parks, transit stations, storm ponds, important roads, and areas for homes, businesses, or industry. It acts as a blueprint for the next stage of planning.
It also helps estimate how many people will live and work in the area, and how many homes will be built.
- Community and Neighbourhood Framework
This section sets rules for how buildings will look, how dense the area will be, how different types of spaces (like homes and shops) will mix, and how to create unique, well-designed neighbourhoods.
- Open Space Network
This shows where parks, pathways, and protected natural or cultural areas will be located, and how they’ll be designed and used.
- Mobility
This part focuses on how people will move around—by walking, biking, driving, or using transit. It aims to make travel safe, easy, and well-connected.
- Utility Infrastructure
This explains how the area will be safely and efficiently serviced with water, sewer, and stormwater systems.
- Climate Policies
This section shows how the City’s Climate Strategy is being included in the area structure plan, and how climate goals will be tracked over time.
- Other Policies
Additional rules and guidelines may be added based on technical studies, public input, and the unique needs of the area.
How are new ASPs initiated?
New Area Structure Plans (ASPs) are initiated after a review of the City Planning Policy Roadmap, which is The City’s planning policy work plan. Following an analysis of land supply and available resources, The City will decide if new ASPs should be initiated, and then reviews opportunities based on proposals made by interested developers/landowners. The proposals are reviewed using specific criteria, and then City Administration makes the decision on which ASPs will be added to the Roadmap. City Council is notified with a briefing note.
How are ASPs approved?
City of Calgary Council review and approve Area Structure Plans after it has progressed through the stages of planning. Decisions are made on proposed ASPs at Infrastructure and Planning Committee (IPC) and Council public hearing meetings. Click here to learn more on Council and Committee meetings.
- Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) Review: The IPC looks at the Administration's report and the proposed Area Structure Plan (ASP). They can comment on or make recommendations for changes.
- Council Review: City Council examines the bylaws, reports, and recommendations from the Administration and IPC. If they agree with the Policy, they give it the first reading.
- Final Council Decision: After implementation of recommendations, the revised Policy goes back to City Council for the second and third readings. Council then decides whether to approve the new ASP.
Where can I find other ASPs?
What is a complete community?
A complete community is one that is fully developed. It meets the needs of residents through an entire lifetime.
"Complete communities include a full range of housing, employment, recreational, and public spaces. A complete community provides a physical and social environment where residents and visitors can live, learn, work and play.” – Municipal Development Plan.
How is the City of Calgary able to support business and investments in new communities?
The City does not mandate when and how businesses within the sector locate or expand. With public policy, it ensures the locations are protected to meet future needs of the business. This includes locations for offices, institutions, retail and industrial development.
Where does ASPs fit in The City’s development approval process?
Calgary’s approvals continuum shows the steps needed to turn undeveloped land into new communities. One of the first steps is creating local level policies through an Area Structure Plan (ASP). ASPs are statutory planning documents that help guide local planning and future development of undeveloped and unserviced lands.
For what reasons could an ASP be amended?
Area Structure Plans (ASPs) are long-term documents that help shape how a community will grow over the next 20 to 30 years. They provide a vision and a roadmap for development. ASPs can be updated as things change over time. These updates can be initiated by the City of Calgary or through applications from developers.
Here are some reasons why ASPs might be updated:
- ASPs are designed to change over time. ASPs are “living documents” that evolve as the community grows and new needs arise.
- Council priorities change. Issues like climate change and housing affordability were not major concerns 5 or 10 years ago, but they are now.
- City, Regional and Provincial policies change. For example, Alberta’s Growth Plan affects how cities like Calgary plan for population growth and housing density.
- New regulations come into effect. One example is the 2021 update to airport noise rules, which now allow homes and other sensitive buildings to be built closer to airports.
- Market trends shift. As communities develop, people’s preferences and needs can change, which may lead to updates in area structure plans.
Is engagement and outreach done when creating area structure plans?
Public engagement is a key part of creating Area Structure Plans (ASPs). The City of Calgary talks to residents at different stages of the planning process. Depending on the stage, this might mean sharing information or asking for feedback.
Many factors influence how an ASP is developed. These include direction from City Council and staff, provincial policies, input from landowners and developers, feedback from nearby communities, school boards, and neighbouring municipalities.
Land Acknowledgement
Calgary is situated within the ancestral lands and traditional territories of the people of the Nations that made Treaty 7. These Nations in Southern Alberta are: the Siksika, Piikani, Amskaapipiikani and Kainai First Nations, who, altogether, form the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy); the Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi (Stoney Nakoda) First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory, Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6. We acknowledge all Indigenous people who have made Calgary their home.
Artwork by Kristy North Peigan