Colwood Council has endorsed a new Demographic Study and Land Yield Analysis that projects a 35% population increase by 2028 and an additional 16% increase by 2038. The projections are broken down by each neighbourhood within Colwood. It also identifies the availability of commercial and industrial land in Colwood. This study was one of the priority actions identified in the City's 2018 Official Community Plan. 

Estimated population growth

It is anticipated that the majority of this growth will be concentrated within the Seaside, Royal Bay, Colwood Corners and Latoria neighbourhoods.

Retail development

The study determined the potential for up to 204,000 square feet of retail development within the City and recommended that planning efforts be focused on facilitating retail supply in the Royal Bay, Seaside and Latoria neighbourhoods. 

New housing units

The report considered projected amounts of new housing units within each Colwood neighbourhood. The analysis included historical growth and identified the neighbourhoods that are likely to develop sooner than others.

Industrial land supply

The report concluded that existing industrial land supply will not exceed demand for the next 20 years.

Beyond demographics - transportation impacts

While transportation impacts were outside the scope of the demographic study, the City acknowledges that population growth can result in transportation challenges. Every growing City around the world faces the challenge of increasing traffic congestion. It impacts quality of life, finances and environment.

Solutions will need to be multi-faceted and collaborative. Staff are coordinating transportation planning between major development partners to realize intersection upgrades, traffic flow improvements and pedestrian and cycling enhancements. BC Transit is currently planning for priority lanes between Colwood Corners and downtown Victoria, and envisions a transit hub in Royal Bay. BC Ferries is exploring the feasibility of a ferry between Royal Bay and Victoria Harbour.