Seeing like a developer: Mapping the potential impacts of planning policies on the distribution and cost of market housing in Nanaimo
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Issue Date
2025-04
Editor
Authors
Nicholson, Riley
License
Subject
Abstract
Effective methods for estimating and communicating the impacts of planning policy are critical for the development of good land use planning overall, but especially in the current housing crisis conditions in Canadian cities. This project presents a new Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model that combines public data on existing property values, density policy, and real estate development finance to estimate and map development costs across the community of Nanaimo, British Columbia. These forecasts of housing affordability allow intuitive visual comparison and statistical analysis, enhancing understanding of how existing and future housing needs are likely to be met (or not) by the private sector under various policy scenarios. Results are presented in the form of intuitive heatmap-style visualizations that facilitate public engagement and inform more evidence-based housing and planning policy development. The model operates rapidly, creating potential to replicate this method in communities throughout BC.