Sprawl to tall: Lessons from Kelowna as a blueprint for downtown intensification in mid-sized cities

Abstract

Intensification has become a widely adopted growth management strategy across Canadian municipalities, aiming to curb sprawl and promote more sustainable patterns of development. However, despite supportive policies, the implementation of intensification remains a persistent challenge - particularly in mid-sized cities. Kelowna, a mid-sized city in British Columbia’s interior, stands out as an exception, experiencing unprecedented levels of downtown development and a significant increase in its core-area population. Drawing on key informant interviews, this study examines the factors contributing to Kelowna’s success with downtown intensification. The findings highlight the alignment of market demand, policy, political will, and developer capacity, positioning Kelowna as both a unique case and a potential model for other mid-sized Canadian cities.