The City of Thorold (the “City”) invites proposals from qualified professional consulting firms (the “Proponents”) to undertake a comprehensive Growth Management, Intensification Strategy, and Land Needs Assessment (the “Deliverables”).

This project will establish updated population, housing, and employment forecasts, determine land needs to a planning horizon of 2056, and develop a City-wide Intensification Strategy to support the City’s upcoming Official Plan Review.

The Study will form a critical component of the City’s long-term planning framework and will provide the technical basis for future land use planning, infrastructure coordination, and policy development. The work will include the preparation of growth projections, housing needs assessments, employment forecasts, and a land needs assessment, as well as the development of an Intensification Strategy and supporting policy recommendations.

The assignment will be undertaken in accordance with the Provincial Planning Statement (2024), Ministry of Finance population projections, and evolving Provincial growth management methodologies, including applicable guidance related to land needs assessment and intensification planning.

The City anticipates that Proponents will assemble a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in land use planning, growth management, economics, demographic forecasting, housing analysis, GIS mapping, and policy development. Experience with municipal Official Plan reviews, Provincial policy implementation, and land needs assessment methodologies in Ontario is considered essential.

The successful Proponent will be required to work collaboratively with City staff and stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive, data-driven, and implementable Growth Management Strategy that reflects the City’s unique context, growth pressures, and long-term vision.

Further details regarding the scope of work, study area, and specific requirements are provided in Appendix B – RFP Particulars.