Development Management & Planning

The concept of Development Management and Planning refers to the comprehensive process of conceiving, planning, coordinating, and executing housing projects — particularly affordable and supportive housing — on behalf of or in partnership with public, non-profit, and Indigenous organizations. It involves both strategic and operational responsibilities to ensure housing developments meet community needs, government policies, and project goals.
Here’s a breakdown of what Development Management and Planning typically includes:

Planning

Planning often means strategic, land-use, and programmatic planning, such as:

1. Portfolio & Land Use Planning:

  • Evaluating land holdings for development or redevelopment opportunities
  • Integrating housing within broader urban and regional plans
  • Working with municipalities on Official Community Plans (OCPs) and Housing Needs Reports

2.Community & Indigenous Engagement:

  • Early and ongoing engagement with communities, stakeholders, and Indigenous groups
  • Ensuring social license to operate and culturally safe housing designs

3. Policy Alignment:

  • Ensuring developments align with provincial policy priorities such as:
  • Affordable rental housing
  • Supportive and transitional housing
  • Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
  • Climate resilience and net-zero objectives

4. Partnership Development Identifying and structuring partnerships with:

  • Identifying and structuring partnerships with:
  • Non-profit housing providers
  • Local governments
  • Indigenous organizations
  • Private developers (in mixed-income or inclusionary housing)
  • Through effective development management and planning PPME ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high quality, contributing positively to the surrounding communities.

Development Management (DM):

Development Management involves the overall leadership and coordination of the housing project from concept to completion. This includes:

1.Project Initiation & Feasibility:

  • Identifying and assessing potential sites
  • Conducting feasibility studies (site suitability, zoning, environmental constraints)
  • Performing high-level costing and risk assessments

2. Funding & Approvals:

  • Developing business cases for internal public entity funding or for federal/provincial programs (e.g., Building BC funds)
  • Navigating municipal and provincial approval processes (rezoning, development permits, building permits)

3. Design Coordination:

  • Procuring and managing architects, engineers, and consultants
  • Ensuring design aligns with public entity’s Design and Construction Standards, accessibility, and energy efficiency goals (e.g., Step Code, Passive House)

4. Construction Oversight:

  • Selecting and managing construction teams
  • Monitoring cost, schedule, and quality
  • Ensuring compliance with legal, safety, and contract requirements

5. Handover & Occupancy:

  • Coordinating final inspections, occupancy permits, and building commissioning
  • Ensuring readiness for tenant intake and long-term asset management