Kelowna is steadily advancing its long-term vision for a more connected, livable, and sustainable city.
A staff report going to council on June 9 highlights progress made on the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Both plans were adopted in 2022 and reflect community input gathered during the Imagine Kelowna engagement process.
“Monitoring the progress of these two plans together is important,” the report notes, “As the alignment between land use and transportation is critical to supporting our growing community.”
While the pace of new home construction has slowed, a surge in apartment completions and occupancies is helping meet housing demand. Occupancy permits jumped more than 80 per cent over 2023, with most units located in the Core Area and Urban Centres like Downtown and Pandosy.
Other areas, including Capri Landmark, Midtown and Rutland, also continue to see steady growth in low-rise apartments. However, the supply of “missing middle” housing—such as townhomes—has declined. Staff expect stronger activity in this category by 2026.
Rental housing grew significantly in 2024, increasing from 26 per cent to nearly 51 per cent of new units.
“That surge reflects both growing demand and the city’s efforts to provide more diverse housing options,” the report states.
Transit use also hit record levels, with 6.4 million boardings in 2024, up from 6.1 million in 2023. Cycling is on the rise, with bike trips up 42 per cent since 2018, and over 1.6 million shared e-scooter and e-bike trips recorded since 2021. These trips helped avoid 556,000 kilometres of car travel and 109 tonnes of CO2 in 2024 alone, according to the report.
On the commercial side, office and industrial vacancy rates increased due to new developments and softened demand.
Of the nearly 200 actions outlined in the OCP and TMP, close to 75 per cent are underway or complete. Highlights include the North End Plan, new transit routes, heritage guidelines, and major cycling and road projects.
The full 2024 progress report is available through the city’s June 9 council agenda.
