RaD Program
Program Introduction
The Real Estate and Development (RaD) Management Program is a nine-course education series that introduces participants to the key stages of real estate development in British Columbia. Designed for professionals working in or alongside the development industry, this program provides foundational knowledge in finance, planning, land acquisition, community engagement, technical studies, and more.
Participants will gain practical insights from experienced industry leaders and have the opportunity to apply their learning toward a Real Estate and Development Micro-Credential through Royal Roads University.
UDI's most practical training program is now available across BC at a discount for a limited time.
What's included:
- 9 courses, each with 3 online modules
- Take a single course or complete the full program
- Learn from BC-based experts using real-world case studies
- Earn CPD credits and work toward a micro-credential through Royal Roads University
Ideal for:
- Planners, policy staff, consultants, new developers, and project managers
- Professionals looking to build confidence and context in the BC market
- Anyone who wants to understand how the development industry works
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Nine courses, held online over nine months - 52 hours in-course time, 18 hours at-home project - 70 total hours to complete the Program
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Want to know if a project makes financial sense? Learn the tool every developer uses to answer that question.
In this course, you'll build a simple pro forma from scratch and learn how rental, leasing, and public funding models shape project viability. Perfect for anyone who wants to better understand how real estate development decisions are made.
What you'll learn:
- How to build and read a basic pro forma
- Rental and leasing models
- CMHC and BC Housing funding examples
CPD Credits:
- Qualifies for BC Housing informal CPD points
- Eligible for PIBC Continuous Professional Learning units
This course is ideal for:
- Planners and early-career developers
- Finance professionals or consultants working with developers
- Anyone who wants to speak the language of project economics
**This course qualifies for 6.5 informal CPD points via BC Housing.
**This course is eligible for PIBC Continuous Professional Learning units via the Planning Institute of British Columbia.
This course was completed on September 24, 2025. If you would like to purchase our on-demand recordings of the session, please email radprogram@udi.org -
Want to find the right site for your next project? Learn how developers evaluate and secure land that supports long-term success.
This course gives you the tools to assess site potential, work with brokers and appraisers, and understand the political, legal, and financial factors involved in land deals. You'll also learn how to conduct due diligence and negotiate agreements that protect your investment.
What you'll learn:
- How to identify and evaluate development-ready sites
- The role of brokers, real estate agents, and appraisers
- How to conduct quick yield studies and site feasibility
- Options for securing land and negotiation strategies
This course is ideal for:
- Planners, consultants, and early-career developers
- Municipal staff involved in land use
- Anyone working on or around site acquisition in BC
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This course walks through the early planning stages of a development project. You'll learn how to shape a clear project concept based on site constraints, market realities, and community context. The course also covers design thinking, financial viability, and working with First Nations and stakeholders to strengthen your approach.
What You'll Learn
- How to create and refine a development concept
- Evaluating site potential, zoning, and physical constraints
- Understanding market fit and design options
- The role of phasing, branding, and project identity
- Building relationships with First Nations and other partners
This Course Is Ideal For
- New and emerging developers
- Planners, architects, and urban designers
- Professionals involved in the early phases of project planning
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Unlock the skills to raise and manage project capital with confidence. This course breaks down how real estate financing works, from securing equity and debt to building strong funding proposals and managing disbursements. You'll learn what investors and lenders want to see, how to negotiate terms, and how to keep a project on track once funds are in place.
What You'll Learn
- How to secure both equity and debt funding
- What financing partners look for in a project
- How to build a pitch and negotiate funding terms
- How to manage funds responsibly through each development stage
This Course Is Ideal For
- New developers and builders
- Financial analysts and project managers
- Anyone working on raising or managing real estate project funding
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Understand the legal side of real estate development. This course walks through the legislation, contracts, and common legal risks that shape how projects are approved, financed, and built. Learn how to read key legal agreements, avoid costly mistakes, and manage conflict when things don't go as planned.
What You'll Learn
- Key real estate legislation in BC and how it applies to development
- The role of municipal agreements and legal conditions
- How to read and negotiate consultant contracts
- Legal risks, liability, and dispute resolution basics
This Course Is Ideal For
- New developers and builders
- Consultants and planners working with legal files
- Anyone who reviews, negotiates, or manages development agreements
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This course breaks down how to move a real estate project through the approvals process in BC. You'll learn how to work with municipalities, understand what's required at each stage, and avoid common delays that slow down projects. With insights from public and private sector professionals, you'll build a better strategy for managing applications and getting to yes.
What You'll Learn
- How BC's planning and approval system works
- What studies and documents are required at each stage
- How to manage rezonings, subdivisions, and permit applications
- How to work effectively with municipal staff and decision-makers
This Course Is Ideal For
- Developers and planners managing municipal approvals
- Project managers navigating complex applications
- Consultants who prepare planning and technical documents
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Every development project relies on input from technical experts. This course gives you a clear overview of the studies required for approval and how to work with consultants across multiple disciplines. Learn when to bring them in, what their work includes, and how to manage their input effectively to keep your project on track.
What You'll Learn
- What technical studies are required for development
- How to manage consultants and integrate their input
- When to bring in specialists like engineers, arborists, or archaeologists
This Course Is Ideal For
- Developers and project managers
- Planners and consultants navigating approval requirements
- Anyone working with multidisciplinary technical teams
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Successful development depends on community support. This course covers how to build trust, manage relationships, and create strong community relations plans that support project approval and long-term success.
You'll explore strategies for consultation, political engagement, reputation management, and how to navigate public meetings and online communication. The course also touches on First Nations engagement and how to integrate community relations with your broader project strategy.
What You'll Learn
- How to create and manage a community relations plan
- Frameworks and strategies for meaningful consultation
- How to build support, manage opposition, and handle public hearings
- Techniques for online engagement and reputation management
- How community relations can shape your project and strengthen outcomes
This Course Is Ideal For
- Developers and project managers managing public-facing projects
- Community engagement professionals and planners
- Consultants supporting approval processes or stakeholder engagement
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This course walks through the full process of marketing a real estate development and bringing it successfully to market. You'll learn how to build a strong marketing strategy, hire the right consultants, and position your project for success. The course also covers how to work with sales and leasing teams, navigate disclosure requirements, and close deals confidently.
With insights from experienced professionals, you'll understand what it takes to move a project from plan to purchase.
What You'll Learn
- How to build and manage a marketing strategy
- What to look for when hiring marketing and sales consultants
- How to work with realtors and leasing teams
- REDMA, presales, and disclosure requirements
- Strategies for closing deals and managing ongoing sales
This Course Is Ideal For
- Developers preparing for a sales or leasing launch
- Marketing and project managers working with consultants
- Anyone involved in positioning and selling real estate projects
Thank you to our program sponsor
UDI would like to thank our RaD Program Sponsor, FortisBC. It is thanks to their support that we can bring this exciting educational opportunity to you, our members.
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