Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan

Burlington’s Strategic Plan 2015-2040

Burlington’s 2015-2040 Strategic Plan is a long-term vision for the future: Vision 2040.

The Strategic Plan is a framework for critical decision-making. It guides how the City manages its resources today to position Burlington for the future. This Plan helps Burlington prepare for challenging issues and current and future opportunities.

Although the Plan looks at 25-years, there will be four-year work plans. Goals and initiatives in the Strategic Plan will be prioritized. Vision 2040 is the blueprint for city-building. It is supported with the Official Plan, Integrated Mobility Plan, Asset Management Plan, Burlington Economic Development Strategic Plan and Burlington’s Plan: From Vision to Focus, Burlington’s four-year work plan. We will connect with the community to address our changing city and new realities.

The Strategic Plan addresses the economic and demographic changes to the city. These need a coordinated and strategic response. The city continues to deal with an important transition. We are a municipality that finds itself needing to grow in place.

Burlington City Council approved a refreshed version of the 2016 Strategic Plan in May 2021. This version keeps the strategic directions consistent. They are A City that Grows, A City that Moves, A Healthy and Greener City and An Engaging City. The City will continue to track, review and check this Strategic Plan.

Moving the Plan’s strategic directions forward is important. We want our city to see the benefits of City services. We want residents to feel the positive impacts to their quality of life. We also need the workplan goals and actions to help Burlington progress. Our work should move Burlington towards our vision for the future.

Vision 2040, Burlington's Strategic Plan 2015-2040 (Accessible PDF)

Key Strategic Directions and Broad Objectives

A City that Grows

The City of Burlington attracts talent, good jobs and economic opportunity while having achieved community responsive growth and balanced, targeted population growth for youth, families, newcomers and seniors.

We aspire to have:

More people who live in Burlington also work in Burlington
Employment lands connected to the community and region
Residents close to goods and services
Innovative, entrepreneurial businesses settled or developed in Burlington
Burlington’s downtown as culturally active, thriving and home to a mix of residents and businesses
Easy access to amenities, services, recreation and employment areas with more opportunities for walking, cycling and using public transit
Burlington’s rural areas economically and socially active
Buildings and public spaces where people can live, work or gather
Burlington as an inclusive and diverse city and employer

The aspirational goals we are moving towards are:

Overall employment is 106,000 by 2031.
Overall population is 193,000 by 2031
Minimum housing targets by 2041 are:
- Minimum of 50% of new housing units produced annually be in the form of townhouses or multi-story buildings
- Minimum of 30% of new housing units produced annually be affordable or assisted housing

A City that Moves

People and goods move throughout the city more efficiently and safely. A variety of convenient, affordable and green forms of transportation that align with regional patterns are the norm.
Walkability within new/transitioning neighbourhoods and the downtown are a reality.

We aspire to have:

Walkable neighbourhoods well connected throughout the City
Transit rider access to regional and provincial transportation network
Convenient and timely transit connections between municipalities
People rely less on automobiles
Burlington’s rural areas connected to the City

The aspirational goals we are moving towards are:

Transit mode share has reached 15% and continues to grow year over year
Modal split is 70% car, 15% transit, 15% active transportation and the car mode share continues to decline year over year

A Healthy and Greener City

The City of Burlington is a leader in the stewardship of the environment while encouraging healthy lifestyles.

We aspire to have:

Every Burlington resident live within a 15- to 20-minute walk from parks or green space
Multi-use parks and green spaces
Residents grow their own fresh and healthy food
Burlington’s rural area and waterfront easily accessible
Recreation and sports programs widely available to all residents
Access to parks and amenities for residents in rural Burlington
A healthy, natural heritage system
Burlington’s community and City operations net carbon-neutral
A healthy thriving urban forest and increased tree canopy
A clean, safe and useable waterfront
Leadership in storm water management and low impact development

The aspirational goals we are moving towards are:

City’s Operations will be Net Carbon Neutral
Increase the City’s tree canopy to 35%

An Engaging City

Community members are engaged, empowered, welcomed and well-served by their City through outstanding customer experiences. Residents are involved to enhance sound decision-making supporting good governance. Culture and community activities thrive, creating a positive
sense of place, inclusivity and community.

We aspire to have:

A customer centric approach in all City service areas
Sound decision-making processes
City information that is always accessible
Burlington’s infrastructure in good condition
New infrastructure that is paid for by new development
All residents, especially newcomers, feel welcomed and at home in Burlington

The aspirational goals we are moving towards are:

80% of residents consistently feel that meaningful engagement occurs where community input would help shape decisions
The customer experience is considered 100% of the time in the design and delivery of all services
85% of customers using on-line services have an outstanding and customer-focused digital experience
The City’s infrastructure funding gap is eliminated by 2040

Burlington – Partnering for Success

Burlington works with other levels of government. This partnership helps us provide services and achieve our goals. Partnering also supports the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to improve community well-being.

This is a long-term vision for the future so the Strategic Plan is a living document. This means Vision 2040 is monitored, reviewed and evaluated on an ongoing basis. There may be changes along the way like global, regional, and city events. Also, other levels of government influencing change. Vision 2040 will adjust as needed.