At B&A, expansion is more than just growing our geographic footprint—it’s about embedding ourselves within the communities we serve, cultivating meaningful relationships, and delivering tailored solutions that align with local needs. Our journey into Vancouver reflects this philosophy. Two years in, we are proud to be making an impact by fostering local expertise, collaborating with municipal and industry partners, and contributing to the region’s dynamic urban landscape. 

Why Vancouver? 

Metro Vancouver is one of Canada’s most complex and rapidly evolving urban environments. With a strong demand for transit-oriented development (TOD), sustainable land use strategies, and progressive public engagement, the region presents a unique opportunity for our expertise in planning and design.

Our decision to expand here wasn’t just about growth—it was about responding to the distinct needs of the region. Vancouver’s evolving municipal frameworks, emphasis on sustainability, and focus on housing solutions require a deep understanding of local policies, land economics, and long-range planning. By investing in local talent and establishing strong connections, we’ve positioned ourselves to help shape the future of the region. 

Building a Local Team & Strong Industry Ties 

A cornerstone of our Vancouver expansion has been our commitment to local expertise. Key to this effort is Adam Mattinson, a recognized leader in land economics, demographic analysis, and growth forecasting. Adam’s insights have strengthened our ability to deliver data-driven solutions that directly address the region’s unique urban challenges.

Beyond expanding our internal team, we actively engage with the planning and development community by attending, sponsoring, and supporting key industry events. Adam recently co-hosted and sponsored a Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) South Coast Chapter & Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Greater Vancouver trivia night, fostering connections within the local planning and transportation community. Our team regularly attends ULI BC and UDI Pacific events to expand our knowledge and networks. We are also proud sponsors of major industry events, including last year’s BC Land Summit in Nanaimo and this year’s PIBC Conference in downtown Vancouver, reinforcing our commitment to supporting professional development and industry collaboration.

Navigating Vancouver’s Unique Planning Landscape 

Metro Vancouver’s planning and development landscape is complex, with distinct municipal policies, evolving provincial legislation, and an ever-changing real estate market. Successfully operating in this region requires both adaptability and a deep understanding of local processes and priorities. While our work with municipalities on long-range planning initiatives, Official Community Plan (OCP) updates, economic development strategies, and industrial land inventories has been instrumental, an equally significant part of our practice is developer-led private sector projects. 

In fact, it was our private sector work that initially brought us to Vancouver. Many of our long-standing clients in Alberta recognized the value of our innovative and strategic approach to planning, design, and engagement, and encouraged us to bring that expertise into the Vancouver market. Their confidence in our ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, 

deliver market-responsive planning solutions, and create implementable planning strategies played a key role in our decision to expand. 

Since our arrival, we’ve had the opportunity to support private developers in advancing mixed-use, residential, industrial, and commercial projects throughout the region. Our experience has provided us with a strong foundation, backed by in-house experts, to adapt our services through our Vancouver Studio and help our clients navigate rezoning processes, land-use assessments, and public engagement initiatives. We are committed to applying our data-driven, solution-oriented approach to both public and private sector projects, ensuring we continue to deliver value for our clients while contributing to the thoughtful growth of Metro Vancouver.

 Key Projects in Metro Vancouver 

Since establishing our presence, we’ve had the privilege of working on a range of projects that highlight our expertise: 

• Transit-Oriented Development Planning & Engagement – Collaborating with developers and municipalities to create vibrant, transit-integrated communities. 

• Official Community Plan (OCP) Updates & Strategic Growth Studies – Providing data-driven analysis to support municipal planning and policy development, ranging from long-range population and housing projections through to context-specific employment land and investment attraction strategies. 

• Highest and Best Use Evaluations – Assisting private-sector clients in making informed land-use decisions that align with Vancouver’s evolving economic landscape. 

• Land Development Planning – Partnering with developers to advance comprehensive land planning that meets community needs for housing, commercial, and industrial growth. 

A Fully Integrated Approach 

Our Vancouver Studio operates as an integral part of B&A’s broader network, leveraging expertise from across our firm to deliver comprehensive planning, design, engagement, visualization, and graphic design services. Backed by our leadership team, including Partners Brian Murray and Nathan Petherick, our Vancouver Studio is closely integrated into our firm-wide culture of collaboration and innovation. Our team members actively participate in knowledge-sharing and capacity-building projects, both internally and amongst the broader community. 

Utilizing a matrix-model approach, we bring together diverse subject matter experts and technical specialists to ensure our projects benefit from a holistic perspective. This collaborative framework allows us to adapt to Metro Vancouver’s dynamic planning environment and deliver solutions that are both strategic and implementable.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Our Presence in Vancouver 

As we continue to grow, our focus remains clear: deepening our roots in Metro Vancouver by investing in local talent, expanding our municipal planning services, and strengthening industry partnerships. In the near term, we aim to grow our team of experienced local experts, ensuring we can offer a full suite of integrated services to our clients in Vancouver. 

Success for us isn’t just about project volume—it’s about delivering meaningful, community-focused solutions and becoming a trusted partner for municipalities, developers, and city builders. We are committed to shaping Metro Vancouver’s future with innovative, sustainable, and thoughtful planning and design. 

Metro Vancouver is evolving, and we’re excited to be part of that transformation. If you’re looking for expert planning, design, or engagement services, let’s connect!