Many communities are adopting regional planning – or inter-municipal co-operation – as a way to address the challenges they face, like:
- infrastructure demands
- access to professional resources
- pressures with growth and decline
Regional planning can help in these situations. It allows communities to spend limited resources more efficiently while tackling challenges together. In short, it can make our communities a better place to live.
Types of regional planning
Regional planning can come in a variety of forms like planning districts, through inter-municipal agreements or by co-operating with each other on a specific issue. By working together, communities can:
- build administrative, governance and technical capacity
- achieve shared goals between neighbours
- deliver cost-shared services and infrastructure
When to consider regional planning
Many Saskatchewan communities have already developed regional partnerships to address common issues involving:
- land use planning
- waste management
- economic development
- emergency and protective services
- recreation
To get started, review the information below. Then discuss your community's needs with your neighbours. If an agreement is entered into to establish a planning district, the agreement and the bylaw adopting it must be submitted, either by mail or by using the online Land Planning and Development Application, to Community Planning for approval. If an inter-municipal development agreement bylaw is created, the agreement and bylaw adopting it must be filed with Community Planning, either by mail or by using the online Land Planning and Development Application.