COMING SOON!

Urban and Regional Planning Law: Field Notes on the Legal and Governmental Processes is an essential resource for students and practicing planners, offering a clear and practical understanding of the laws and institutions that shape land use and development policy. While rooted in Ontario, its insights extend across Canadian planning practice.

A Planner’s Perspective—Accessible and Practical

Legislation can feel intimidating: dense, technical, and best left to lawyers. This book challenges that view. Written from a planner’s perspective, it breaks down Ontario’s legislative texts in a way that’s approachable and connects directly to real-world planning work.

At its core, this book draws on key Ontario legislation most critical to planning practice, including:

• The Canadian Constitution – and how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms influences planning decisions
• The Ontario Planning Act – the cornerstone of land use planning authority in Ontario
• The Municipal Act – the legislative framework that governs municipal powers and responsibilities
• The Municipal Elections Act – shaping how local governments are formed and function

Whether you’re beginning your planning education or deepening your professional practice, Urban and Regional Planning Law: Field Notes on the Legal and Governmental Processes provides the legal literacy needed to make informed, authoritative, and effective planning decisions.

Chapter 1 – The Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Practice of Urban and Regional Planning
Chapter 2 – The Government of Canada’s Role in Urban and Regional Planning
Chapter 3 – Indigenous Peoples and Urban and Regional Planning
Chapter 4 – The Provincial Government’s Role in Urban and Regional Planning
Chapter 5 – Municipal Governments: Powers and Responsibilities
Chapter 6 – Statutory Plans
Chapter 7 – Subdivision
Chapter 8 – Land Use and Development Controls

Dr. John Meligrana is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University and has taught the graduate course “Legal and Governmental Processes” as part of the master’s degree for over ten years. He is also a Registered Professional Planner for over 25 years with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and Full Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.