Boilerplate

It includes:

• A long-term vision for the corridor
• Corridor typologies that describe the character of different river areas
• Priorities related to conservation, safety, access, and community experience
• A phased implementation plan to guide action over a 20-year horizon
• Performance measures to monitor progress and adapt over time
• The strategy focuses first on shared principles and priorities before moving to site-specific decisions. This approach supports clarity, flexibility, and continuity across Council terms.

The Bow River Strategy informs how future land use, development proposals, and public investments within or adjacent to the corridor are considered.

It does not replace statutory plans or regulatory approvals. It does not approve specific projects.

Any future development will continue to follow established planning and approval processes, including technical review, public notification, and opportunities for community engagement.

The strategy provides additional clarity by identifying what must be considered — including environmental protection, safety, access, and long-term community objectives.

Final decisions will continue to be made by Council through formal processes.

The strategy includes a phased implementation plan outlining short, medium, and long-term actions.

Implementation focuses on:

• Integrating priorities into annual work plans and budgeting
• Aligning partnerships and funding opportunities
• Monitoring progress and reporting annually to Council
• Continuing engagement as specific initiatives move forward

The Bow River Strategy is a long-term guiding framework that establishes shared principles and priorities for how the Bow River corridor is stewarded, accessed, and experienced over the next 20 years.

No. The strategy does not approve specific developments, projects, or funding. Individual initiatives will continue to be brought forward through formal planning, budgeting, and Council decision-making processes.

Yes. Any future development or major initiative within or adjacent to the Bow River corridor will follow established statutory planning processes, including public notification and engagement opportunities.

No. The strategy does not amend bylaws or statutory plans. It provides guidance for decision-making and policy suggestions that Cochrane should consider. 

The strategy was informed by workshops, surveys, open houses, advisory committee discussions, one-on-one stakeholder meetings, Community Association circulation, and Council workshops. More than 2,000 individuals were engaged during the process.

The implementation plan includes performance indicators and an annual reporting process to Council. 

Experience from other municipalities shows that establishing shared principles early helps guide consistent decision-making over time and reduces the need to revisit foundational values with each new proposal.