The City of Waterloo is excited to announce the Urban Design Manual update!
The Urban Design Manual (UDM) is the City of Waterloo's primary consolidated set of design standards, design related criteria, and reference material to help guide the City’s urban design and built form policies. Adopted by Council in 2009, the UDM continues to play a critical role in the development review process, as well as for public realm improvement initiatives throughout the city. After more than 10 years since its adoption, the UDM is due for an update and we want your input. Follow this project for information about public feedback opportunities and to stay up-to-date on progress.
Preliminary objectives include:
- align with the City of Waterloo 2023-2026 Strategic Plan;
- incorporate relevant urban design documents adopted since 2009, including but not limited to: Uptown Public Realm Strategy, Station Area Plans and the City of Waterloo Accessibility Standards;
- incorporate new practices and innovation;
- simplify and eliminate redundancy; and,
- improve ease of access and usability through digital platforms.
We encourage everyone to be involved as we move forward
We look forward to your participation in this important planning process, and invite you to familiarize yourself with the existing Urban Design Manual and other documents in preparation.
Phase 2 is now live!
The City will be hosting its first in-person public Open House to introduce the update to the Urban Design Manual (UDM).The purpose of the open house is to:
- Educate the public about the role of the UDM in implementing the City’s Official Plan, Zoning By-law, and new CPP By-law.
- Build awareness of how the updated UDM will bridge the gap between high-level policy and on-the-ground design direction.
- Gather public feedback on how the guidelines can create a sense of place, inform design quality, and identify key design challenges related to intensification and growth.
- Identify priorities for public realm design, sustainability, accessibility, and context-sensitive built form.
This engagement event will feature an interactive format, incorporating real-time surveys and live polling to capture your feedback as ideas are presented. The presentation will explore how the vision established through the City’s Official Plan can be translated into real-world outcomes that shape buildings, streets, and public spaces.
City staff and project consultants will be available throughout the session to answer questions, exchange ideas and hear your perspectives as we work together to shape the future of the community.
Please register by contacting Max Kerrigan (max.kerrigan@waterloo.ca)
