Calgary’s urban planning process feels like we’re stuck in Groundhog Day, repeating the same mistakes with no progress to show for it.
In the 1993 film, Bill Murray’s character relives the same day until he finally reflects on his actions, embraces change and finds a better path forward. Unfortunately, unlike Murray’s character, some members of city council seem unwilling to learn from past mistakes — clinging to outdated views and sabotaging our path forward.
Local Area Plans (LAPs) are reference documents that outline a community’s long-term vision for development. They’re meant to evolve with Calgary’s growth and align with broader city policies, such as Calgary’s housing strategy. LAPs are not static, unchangeable documents, they must be adapted as our city evolves.