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Official Community Plan Update 2024

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Richmond is updating its current Official Community Plan (OCP). We encourage you to learn more and provide input on this long term vision shaping the future of Richmond.


Several engagement opportunities are being offered through November in Phase one. Further engagement opportunities will be announced in Phase two and three.


Why are We Updating?

Richmond is launching an update of the Official Community Plan (OCP) that will guide the City’s growth for the next 25+ years. The current OCP was approved in 2012. Since then, Richmond’s population and economy has grown and various challenges have intensified over the years. These include but are not limited to housing affordability and climate change, with vulnerable populations experiencing the most impacts. To prepare an updated OCP, community members will be invited to get involved to help shape the future of Richmond.


What is an Official Community Plan (OCP)?

Under the provincial legislation's Local Government Act (LGA), the Official Community Plan (OCP):

  • is a very comprehensive policy that outlines the long-term goals and objectives of a City
  • enables the City to plan, coordinate and manage its environment, social, and economic land use interests over the long term
  • must include a Regional Context Statement that aligns with Metro Vancouver region’s Regional Growth Strategy, Metro 2050
  • reflects the dreams and aspirations of Richmond community members.

Council has endorsed a proposed scope and process to update the OCP. The proposed overarching themes to guide the OCP update included “Resiliency, Equity and Adaptation” with the six targeted areas to include:

  1. Housing Affordability
  2. Community Equity
  3. Environmental Protection & Enhancement
  4. Climate Mitigation & Adaptation
  5. Long-Term Planning for Emerging Trends & Transformational Technologies
  6. Administrative Updates


OCP Timeline


Here’s how you can participate:

  • Online: Submit questions under the "Ask a Question' tab below or submit your email address under "Follow Project" on the right for updates.
  • Get Snapping: Submit your photos online or in person and you will be entered into a draw to win one of multiple prizes.
  • In-person pop-up booths: Pop-up engagement booths will be located around the city for the public to learn more about the project
  • In-person open houses: Attend three drop-in open houses
  • Online survey: Available later in the fall


Your collective input and involvement with the OCP update will contribute to shaping the future of Richmond for the next 25 years. Thank you for your involvement.


If you have any questions about the OCP update, please use As a Question tool below or email CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca


Your privacy is important to us. All feedback you provide will be anonymized and aggregated with others' responses to ensure individual input remains confidential.





Richmond is updating its current Official Community Plan (OCP). We encourage you to learn more and provide input on this long term vision shaping the future of Richmond.


Several engagement opportunities are being offered through November in Phase one. Further engagement opportunities will be announced in Phase two and three.


Why are We Updating?

Richmond is launching an update of the Official Community Plan (OCP) that will guide the City’s growth for the next 25+ years. The current OCP was approved in 2012. Since then, Richmond’s population and economy has grown and various challenges have intensified over the years. These include but are not limited to housing affordability and climate change, with vulnerable populations experiencing the most impacts. To prepare an updated OCP, community members will be invited to get involved to help shape the future of Richmond.


What is an Official Community Plan (OCP)?

Under the provincial legislation's Local Government Act (LGA), the Official Community Plan (OCP):

  • is a very comprehensive policy that outlines the long-term goals and objectives of a City
  • enables the City to plan, coordinate and manage its environment, social, and economic land use interests over the long term
  • must include a Regional Context Statement that aligns with Metro Vancouver region’s Regional Growth Strategy, Metro 2050
  • reflects the dreams and aspirations of Richmond community members.

Council has endorsed a proposed scope and process to update the OCP. The proposed overarching themes to guide the OCP update included “Resiliency, Equity and Adaptation” with the six targeted areas to include:

  1. Housing Affordability
  2. Community Equity
  3. Environmental Protection & Enhancement
  4. Climate Mitigation & Adaptation
  5. Long-Term Planning for Emerging Trends & Transformational Technologies
  6. Administrative Updates


OCP Timeline


Here’s how you can participate:

  • Online: Submit questions under the "Ask a Question' tab below or submit your email address under "Follow Project" on the right for updates.
  • Get Snapping: Submit your photos online or in person and you will be entered into a draw to win one of multiple prizes.
  • In-person pop-up booths: Pop-up engagement booths will be located around the city for the public to learn more about the project
  • In-person open houses: Attend three drop-in open houses
  • Online survey: Available later in the fall


Your collective input and involvement with the OCP update will contribute to shaping the future of Richmond for the next 25 years. Thank you for your involvement.


If you have any questions about the OCP update, please use As a Question tool below or email CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca


Your privacy is important to us. All feedback you provide will be anonymized and aggregated with others' responses to ensure individual input remains confidential.



Ask a Question

Ask City staff your questions in relation to the City's Official Community Plan update.  

You need to be signed in to add your question.

  • Share Why was there a decision made to do a targeted OCP update rather than a traditional OCP update process that ? Where did these six target areas come from? Will there be updates to the OCP for other areas that might not fall neatly into these six target areas? on Facebook Share Why was there a decision made to do a targeted OCP update rather than a traditional OCP update process that ? Where did these six target areas come from? Will there be updates to the OCP for other areas that might not fall neatly into these six target areas? on Twitter Share Why was there a decision made to do a targeted OCP update rather than a traditional OCP update process that ? Where did these six target areas come from? Will there be updates to the OCP for other areas that might not fall neatly into these six target areas? on Linkedin Email Why was there a decision made to do a targeted OCP update rather than a traditional OCP update process that ? Where did these six target areas come from? Will there be updates to the OCP for other areas that might not fall neatly into these six target areas? link

    Why was there a decision made to do a targeted OCP update rather than a traditional OCP update process that ? Where did these six target areas come from? Will there be updates to the OCP for other areas that might not fall neatly into these six target areas?

    ________ asked 6 days ago

    The existing OCP was adopted in 2012 and since then, Richmond has gone through various changes from population growth to housing affordability, with vulnerable populations experiencing the most impacts. 

    Over the past five years, Council has amended the OCP from time to time to keep it relevant. As such, the decision was made to do a targeted update instead of a complete rewrite of the OCP. 

    The six target areas were endorsed by Council in 2022 based on the needs of the community and region. The top four of six target areas are key priorities in this update: Housing Affordability, Social Equity, Environmental Protection & Enhancement, and Climate Mitigation & Adaptation. 

    There will be administrative updates that could cover areas that don’t fall neatly into the six target areas, such as minor area plan updates/up keeping.

  • Share How much will these pop-up booths inform the public open houses and surveys which will be held later in the Fall? Why was there a decision to only have pop-up booth events on weekdays mostly between the hours of 11am-4pm (with the exception of one event ending at 6pm). The times for these pop-up booth events essentially will not capture a large proportion of the community (people working weekday 9-5 shifts and children who are in school), on Facebook Share How much will these pop-up booths inform the public open houses and surveys which will be held later in the Fall? Why was there a decision to only have pop-up booth events on weekdays mostly between the hours of 11am-4pm (with the exception of one event ending at 6pm). The times for these pop-up booth events essentially will not capture a large proportion of the community (people working weekday 9-5 shifts and children who are in school), on Twitter Share How much will these pop-up booths inform the public open houses and surveys which will be held later in the Fall? Why was there a decision to only have pop-up booth events on weekdays mostly between the hours of 11am-4pm (with the exception of one event ending at 6pm). The times for these pop-up booth events essentially will not capture a large proportion of the community (people working weekday 9-5 shifts and children who are in school), on Linkedin Email How much will these pop-up booths inform the public open houses and surveys which will be held later in the Fall? Why was there a decision to only have pop-up booth events on weekdays mostly between the hours of 11am-4pm (with the exception of one event ending at 6pm). The times for these pop-up booth events essentially will not capture a large proportion of the community (people working weekday 9-5 shifts and children who are in school), link

    How much will these pop-up booths inform the public open houses and surveys which will be held later in the Fall? Why was there a decision to only have pop-up booth events on weekdays mostly between the hours of 11am-4pm (with the exception of one event ending at 6pm). The times for these pop-up booth events essentially will not capture a large proportion of the community (people working weekday 9-5 shifts and children who are in school),

    ________ asked 6 days ago

    The intention of the pop up booths is to raise awareness of the OCP project and outline ways community members can get involved. 

    The information shared and questions asked at the pop ups, as well as the background research staff are conducting on the target areas, will all inform the in-person open house materials and survey in November.  

    The pop up booth times are designed to be during the day as they are meant to be strategically located in high traffic areas where people frequent often. There will be four open houses that will take place in November during the evenings in various locations in the city.

  • Share With Richmond's growing population and increased traffic, particularly the daily bottlenecks on Arthur Laing Bridge, what plans are in place to improve traffic flow during peak hours, especially for those commuting to and from Vancouver? on Facebook Share With Richmond's growing population and increased traffic, particularly the daily bottlenecks on Arthur Laing Bridge, what plans are in place to improve traffic flow during peak hours, especially for those commuting to and from Vancouver? on Twitter Share With Richmond's growing population and increased traffic, particularly the daily bottlenecks on Arthur Laing Bridge, what plans are in place to improve traffic flow during peak hours, especially for those commuting to and from Vancouver? on Linkedin Email With Richmond's growing population and increased traffic, particularly the daily bottlenecks on Arthur Laing Bridge, what plans are in place to improve traffic flow during peak hours, especially for those commuting to and from Vancouver? link

    With Richmond's growing population and increased traffic, particularly the daily bottlenecks on Arthur Laing Bridge, what plans are in place to improve traffic flow during peak hours, especially for those commuting to and from Vancouver?

    Nehleeyah asked 7 days ago

    The City is continuously working on improving traffic management strategies. Disbursing/reducing vehicular traffic to optimize traffic flow, as well as building out other mobility options are part of long-term strategies covered by the Official Community Plan and Transportation strategies. 

    Many strategies are multi-jurisdictional and take several factors into consideration. Coordinated efforts across governing bodies are needed to improve transportation options and traffic flow. The Arthur Laing Bridge, as an example, falls under YVR jurisdiction and joins Richmond to our neighbouring city, Vancouver. Visit Richmond.ca/TransportationPlanning and the YVR plan https://www.yvr.ca/en/about-yvr/who-we-are/yvr-2037-master-plan to learn more.

  • Share I would like to know if an expansion or another large community aquatic fitness and senior center is in the plan. Our current aquatic facilities are simply not large enough to handle the growing population. on Facebook Share I would like to know if an expansion or another large community aquatic fitness and senior center is in the plan. Our current aquatic facilities are simply not large enough to handle the growing population. on Twitter Share I would like to know if an expansion or another large community aquatic fitness and senior center is in the plan. Our current aquatic facilities are simply not large enough to handle the growing population. on Linkedin Email I would like to know if an expansion or another large community aquatic fitness and senior center is in the plan. Our current aquatic facilities are simply not large enough to handle the growing population. link

    I would like to know if an expansion or another large community aquatic fitness and senior center is in the plan. Our current aquatic facilities are simply not large enough to handle the growing population.

    TrayK asked 8 days ago

    The City is continuously identifying future facility needs as Richmond’s population continues to grow. There are currently four aquatic facilities that the City operates: Minoru Centre for Active Living, Watermania, South Arm Outdoor Pool, Steveston Outdoor Pool.

    Currently, Richmond has two community centre projects planned and underway – the Steveston Community Centre and Library Replacement and the Capstan Community Centre. 

    Strategies for future aquatic and community recreation facilities are continuously considered for the future based on a number of considerations such as population growth, community need, and financial and property resources. Please visit https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/projects/majorfacilitiesprojects.htm to learn more. 

  • Share Will this plan call for blocks in traffic flow to improve pedestrian safety? i.e. Alderbridge/Lansdowne and Lansdowne/Gilbert right turn signals?? on Facebook Share Will this plan call for blocks in traffic flow to improve pedestrian safety? i.e. Alderbridge/Lansdowne and Lansdowne/Gilbert right turn signals?? on Twitter Share Will this plan call for blocks in traffic flow to improve pedestrian safety? i.e. Alderbridge/Lansdowne and Lansdowne/Gilbert right turn signals?? on Linkedin Email Will this plan call for blocks in traffic flow to improve pedestrian safety? i.e. Alderbridge/Lansdowne and Lansdowne/Gilbert right turn signals?? link

    Will this plan call for blocks in traffic flow to improve pedestrian safety? i.e. Alderbridge/Lansdowne and Lansdowne/Gilbert right turn signals??

    nshimano38 asked 9 days ago

    Through ever-evolving traffic management strategies, Richmond’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, and working with external agencies (such as the Ministry of Transportation), Council and staff are dedicated to establishing a wide range of ongoing and planned road safety initiatives in our communities. These focus on safety for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility assist users (e.g., walkers, wheelchairs, etc.) and vehicle operators. Disbursing/reducing vehicle traffic to optimize traffic flow, as well as building out other mobility options are part of long-term strategies covered by the Official Community Plan and Transportation strategies. Visit www.richmond.ca/TransportationPlanning to learn more.

  • Share Hi, how do you plan to address housing affordability if we only see "luxury", mediocre condos being built and sprawling all over the rest of the city? How can the city find much more sustainable solutions? on Facebook Share Hi, how do you plan to address housing affordability if we only see "luxury", mediocre condos being built and sprawling all over the rest of the city? How can the city find much more sustainable solutions? on Twitter Share Hi, how do you plan to address housing affordability if we only see "luxury", mediocre condos being built and sprawling all over the rest of the city? How can the city find much more sustainable solutions? on Linkedin Email Hi, how do you plan to address housing affordability if we only see "luxury", mediocre condos being built and sprawling all over the rest of the city? How can the city find much more sustainable solutions? link

    Hi, how do you plan to address housing affordability if we only see "luxury", mediocre condos being built and sprawling all over the rest of the city? How can the city find much more sustainable solutions?

    reginacid asked 9 days ago

    A range of housing choices is essential in creating a diverse, inclusive and livable community in Richmond. Council and staff are committed to increasing housing affordability and have successfully delivered on this commitment. We will continue to strive, in delivering affordable housing through various strategies, partnerships and programs such as the Low-End Market Rental program. A large component of the OCP update will focus on housing affordability. Please visit www.richmond.ca/affordablehousing to learn more.

Page last updated: 18 Sep 2024, 08:53 AM