Land Use Bylaw Series
A reader recently asked a simple but important question:
Why do we assume growth is necessary?
It’s the kind of question that often sits quietly in the background of planning discussions—but rarely gets asked directly.
As we’ve explored throughout this series, the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) shapes how our community grows—how land is used, how neighbourhoods evolve, and how infrastructure is planned.
But this question goes one level deeper:
Do we actually have to grow at all?
It’s a simple question—but it challenges one of the most common assumptions in community planning
Why Growth Is Usually Assumed
In most communities, growth isn’t debated as much as it is expected. There are a few reasons for that:
- Population movement
People relocate for work, affordability, or lifestyle—especially in smaller communities connected to larger regions. - Municipal finances
Growth is often seen as a way to expand the tax base and help cover rising costs. - Infrastructure realities
Roads, pipes, and facilities age over time. Growth is sometimes viewed as a way to share those costs across more residents. - Planning frameworks
Provincial and regional policies often assume growth and require municipalities to plan accordingly.
None of these forces are imaginary—they’re real pressures that shape decision-making.
But they don’t necessarily answer the deeper question.
The Overlooked Idea: “Enough”
Economist E. F. Schumacher’s Small Is Beautiful introduced a concept that feels increasingly relevant today: the idea of “enough.”
What if a community didn’t measure success by how much it grows—but by how well it functions?
In practical terms, that might look like:
- Maintaining infrastructure instead of constantly expanding it
- Strengthening existing neighbourhoods
- Supporting local businesses and services
- Focusing on quality of life rather than scale
This isn’t about rejecting growth entirely. It’s about recognizing that growth is not the only path to a healthy community.
A Reality Check
At the same time, choosing not to grow—or growing very slowly—comes with its own challenges.
- Costs don’t disappear
Infrastructure still needs maintenance and replacement, regardless of population change. - Per-capita pressures can increase
With fewer new taxpayers, existing residents may carry more of the financial burden. - Limited flexibility
Without some level of growth, it can be harder to invest in improvements or adapt to changing needs.
This is why the conversation isn’t as simple as “grow” or “don’t grow.”
- “Who Pays? Infrastructure, Development, and Long-Term Costs” https://www.sustainablelife.biz/who-pays-infrastructure-development-costs/
Many municipalities across Canada are already grappling with this through asset management planning—recognizing that maintaining what we have is just as important as building new. Resources from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities highlight just how significant these long-term infrastructure costs can be.
A Better Question
Instead of asking whether growth is good or bad, we might ask:
What kind of community are we trying to sustain—and what level of growth supports that?
That question shifts the focus.
It moves us away from automatic assumptions and toward intentional choices.
- Sustainability Plan https://www.sustainablelife.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DV_SustainabilityPlan_2025_Appendices.pdf
Where the Land Use Bylaw Fits
The Land Use Bylaw doesn’t decide if we grow—but it plays a major role in shaping how we grow when change happens.
It influences:
- Density and housing types
- Land use patterns
- Transportation and infrastructure efficiency
- The long-term costs of servicing development
In that sense, the LUB is a tool.
And like any tool, its effectiveness depends on the goals we set.
Why This Matters
If we’re working toward a sustainable community, it’s worth asking not just how we grow—but whether growth itself is always the goal.
Growth can bring opportunity—but it can also bring cost.
Stability can preserve what we value—but it can also create constraints.
There’s no single right answer.
But asking the question—honestly and openly—is how better decisions begin.
What do you think—does a community need to grow to thrive, or can “enough” be enough?
Sustainability is about intentional choices—not automatic growth
🌱 Sustainability grows when we share it.
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