Official Plan & Zoning By-law

GRIDS 2 and Municipal Comprehensive Review

Planning for Growth to 2051:
Draft Evaluation Framework and Phasing Criteria

The next phase of GRIDS 2/MCR will be the evaluation of where and when the City will grow to the year 2051. Staff have developed draft evaluation tools to guide the evaluation of growth options (“where the City will grow”) and the phasing of growth (“when the City will grow”).

Draft Evaluation Framework and Phasing Criteria

Staff will be presenting the draft evaluation frameworks at the March 29 General Issues Committee.

We want to hear from you!

Public consultation for the Draft Evaluation Framework and Phasing Criteria is active for the month of May 2021. Visit engage.hamilton.ca/grids2mcr to provide your comments.

Final Draft Land Needs Assessment

The GRIDS 2/MCR staff report and supporting studies, including staff’s recommendation on the Final Land Needs Assessment are now available for public review.

The Final Land Needs Assessment and related reports will be considered by Council at the March 29, 2021 General Issues Committee.

The City of Hamilton is updating its Growth Management Strategy, known as GRIDS 2. The City will also be completing a Municipal Comprehensive Review concurrently with GRIDS 2.

What is GRIDS?

In 2006, City Council approved the first Growth Related Integrated Development Strategy (GRIDS) (PDF, 28 MB). GRIDS was an integrated planning process that identified a broad land use structure, associated infrastructure, economic development strategy and financial implications for growth options to serve Hamilton for 30 years. GRIDS planned for growth up to 2031. 

GRIDS needs to be updated to plan for the City’s population and job growth to 2051. This update is known as GRIDS 2.

The Province of Ontario provides population and employment growth forecasts for Hamilton through the  Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Logo for the GRIDS 2 project

Between the years 2021 and 2051, Hamilton is expected to grow by 236,000 people and 122,000 jobs.

Between the years 2021 and 2051, Hamilton is expected to grow by 236,000 people and 122,000 jobs.


Disclaimer: This video explains the GRIDS2 and MCR process but references growth forecasts to the year 2041, whereas Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan 2019 provides growth forecasts to 2051.

GRIDS 2 will plan for how and where this additional population and employment growth can be accommodated, and will determine the impact on the Infrastructure Master Plans (Water/Wastewater, Stormwater, Transportation).

What is the Municipal Comprehensive Review?

A municipal comprehensive review (MCR) is a requirement of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) at the time of the City’s 5-year Official Plan review. The MCR is the process by which the City brings its Official Plans into conformity with updated policies of the various Provincial plans which apply to Hamilton (PPS, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Greenbelt Plan). The population and job forecasts of the Growth Plan to 2051 need to be planned for and accommodated through the MCR.

Many of the studies that are required as part of the MCR are also required as part of GRIDS 2. Therefore, the City has determined that it is appropriate to combine GRIDS 2 and the MCR into one integrated process, resulting in a transparent and straightforward process in which to involve stakeholders and citizens.

One component of the MCR is the Employment Land Review which is currently underway.

Staff reports

Project timeline

Timeline for GRIDS 2 Land Needs Assessmenet

If you would like to be added to the project mailing list and be notified of project updates, please send your contact information to [email protected].

Public Consultation - Round 3
Held January 18 & 20, 2021
Visit Engage Hamilton to learn more, complete a survey and view recordings of the Virtual Information Meetings
Presentation (PDF, 10 MB)

Open House - Round 2
Held November 26 & 28, December 2 & 4, 2019
Focused on presenting the public with information about Intensification (growth focused within the existing Built-up area of the City) and Designated Greenfield Area density (density of community development outside of the Built-up area). Staff also consulted about the GRIDS Directions to Guide Development, as well as the preliminary Employment Land Review conversion requests. Second Round Consultation Summary Report (PDF, 8 MB) | Display panels (PDF, 19 MB)

Council workshop 
Held October 21, 2019.
Provided an overview of GRIDS and GRIDS 2, a discussion on intensification and density, an explanation of land needs assessment, and a project update. No decisions or recommendations are anticipated from this workshop. Council Workshop Presentation (PDF, 7 MB)

Open House - Round 1
Held May 28, 30 & June 6, 2018
Provided an overview of the GRIDS 2 and MCR project, discussed how growth in the city has occurred in recent years and identifyied strengths and opportunities for change in our land use structure. First Round Consultation Summary Report (PDF, 15 MB)
Display panels:

Contact us

Heather Travis
City Hall, 4th floor
Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 4168
​Email: [email protected]

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