Shaping urban development since 1972
With over 850 corporate members, the Urban Development Institute represents thousands of individuals involved in all facets of land development and planning, including: developers, property managers, financial lenders, lawyers, engineers, planners, architects, appraisers, real estate professionals, First Nations,Β local governments and government agencies.



A partner in Community Building
As a βPartner in Community Building,β the Urban Development Institute is committed to working with communities and governments to create and achieve the vision of balanced, well-planned and sustainable communities. The Urban Development Institute promotes wise and efficient urban growth, good planning and good development practices, and high quality commercial and industrial developments.

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The Beginning: 1972
A common passion for building cities
A small group of Vancouver developers led by Victor Lewis shared a common passion for building cities.
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1977
The first UDI Pacific Region office opens in Victoria, BC
The sheer volume of development matters necessitates the hiring of an Executive Director and clerical staff.
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1981
The UDI office relocates to Vancouver
While the decision had been made in late 1979 to relocate the Victoria office to Vancouver, it was not until 1981 that the relocation actually took place.
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The 1980s
Gaining the respect of government
By the 1980s, UDI had gained the respect of government and business groups for its commitment to sound advice, quality development and community building.
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Present Day
UDI Today
In its significant history, UDI has consulted on nearly every major initiative affecting our communities and our industry and has had a positive influence.
A common passion for building cities
A small group of Vancouver developers lead by Victor Lewis shared a common passion for building cities.Β
Although competitors, they aspired to create a united industry organization to promote fair and equitable public policies and regulations that benefitted the community as well as the industry.
Under this vision, in 1972, the Urban Development Institute Pacific Region was formed with a membership of 22 companies.

The first UDI Pacific Region office opens in Victoria, BC
By late 1977, UDI had been firmly established as the voice of the development industry.
The first UDI Pacific Region office opened in Victoria later that year and the late George Chatterton, a former deputy minister in the provincial government, became UDI's first Executive Director.

The UDI office relocates to Vancouver
By mid year, the office was opened in Vancouver.
lan Beveridge, a former participant in the development industry, became the Institute's second executive director on a three-quarter time basis.
The membership had grown to 62 members.

Gaining the respect of government
By the 1980s, UDI had gained the respect of government and business groups for its commitment to sound advice, quality development and community building.
With a growing membership, UDI offered a full slate of education programs, a highly respected research program, liaison with every level of government, social and special events and member services.
UDI Today
In its significant history, UDI has consulted on nearly every major initiative affecting our communities and our industry and has had a positive influence.
There have been many challenges, including increased development charges and complicated permitting processes, labour legislation, leaky condos, regressive tax policies, local and regional planning issues and more.
Now, with nearly 1000 corporate members, representing thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the provincial economy we still face many of the same challenges.
We remain actively engaged in promoting our principles of good planning, wise and efficient land use and progressive development practices.
We recognize the need for wise, efficient and productive urban land use. To achieve this, it is essential that governments, communities and industry work together.
UDI fosters the effective exchange of information between industry stakeholders.
Whether you're dedicated to professional development, looking to work with government on real issues, or just want to make a difference in your local community, a UDI membership can help.
