Enterprise Framework

Enterprise for better city building and greater economic prosperity

To “do more with less,” we have to do things differently than we’ve done before. The most creative, innovative and successful cities in the world depend on partnerships: between city and business, city and academia, city and neighbourhoods and, above all, the city and the public it serves. Successful partnerships are how we plan to accomplish more with less.

Our framework

Our Enterprise Framework was developed and unanimously endorsed by Guelph City Council on June 18, 2014.

The Framework and an enterprise planning tool will help move major city building initiatives from vision to implementation.

The enterprise approach is about integrating the City’s planning strategies with its economic development platform to maximize the benefit to the community. The Enterprise Framework will better allow the City to ensure major initiatives align with community and Council priorities; will include evaluation of factors such as job creation, investment and partnership leverage potential.

City building: The emerging enterprise approach

John Galt, the city’s original planner, brought the best in city design practice to the founding of Guelph. To continue to uphold this legacy, the City is taking an enterprising approach to city building to create a secure and sustainable future for all of Guelph.

An enterprise city ties its growth to building a diverse and vibrant local economy while delivering the highest return to residents and businesses.

The bottom line is that we need to be more innovative in how we build prosperity. An enterprise framework helps Guelph be economically sustainable, affordable and livable.

If we seize the advantages created by a legacy of good, forward-thinking planning and harness our opportunities through advanced city planning initiatives, we can leave our children a legacy that even John Galt could never have dreamed.

Done well, city building—no matter where it starts—benefits everyone and contributes to a high quality of life, good neighbourhoods and opportunities for all residents.

Our principled approach to growth, combined with our focus on protecting existing neighbourhoods and environmental sustainability, provides the basis for what comes next.

Where downtown Guelph is concerned, increased density reduces the negative impacts—poor air quality, stressed water supply, compromised environment—of urban sprawl on the quality of life for all Guelph residents.

Projects

Get involved

John Galt, the city’s original planner, brought the best in city design practice to the founding of Guelph. To continue to uphold this legacy, the City is taking an enterprise approach to city building and reaching out/engaging citizens to create a secure and sustainable future for all of Guelph.

Engagement process

Integrated planning (complete)

1827-Present

Guelph founded with the symbolic felling of a tree on April 23, 1827

Laying the groundwork

  • Community Energy Initiative
  • Prosperity 2020
  • Growth Management Strategy
  • Downtown Secondary Plan

Implement, plan and engage

June 2014

Proposed Enterprise Framework

June-December 2014

Public engagement

  • Baker District development
  • Parking Master Plan (sustainable financial model)
  • Placemaking: Streetscape, Built Form and St. George’s Square (design)
  • Regional transportation

Consolidate, inform, debate and approve

2015

Council Strategic planning

January-March 2015

Public engagement

  • Enterprise Framework priorities
  • 2015 Budget process
  • 10-year Capital Budget

Deliver, measure and adjust

2015-2018 and beyond