City of Port Alberni Transportation master plan
Client: Bunt & Associates | City of Port Alberni | Current
The City of Port Alberni’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) represents a forward-thinking commitment to creating a safer, more accessible, and more efficient city for both current and future generations. Uplift Engagement Communications (Uplift) teamed with Bunt & Associates for engagement services related to the Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
The TMP builds upon previous planning efforts, including the 2014 Active Transportation Plan, and aligns with the goals outlined in the city’s Corporate Strategic Plan. It is also being developed in conjunction with the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan to ensure integration across key municipal services. This alignment allows Port Alberni to envision a cohesive transportation framework that links road corridors, trails, and multi-use pathways (MUPs) with its natural landscapes and recreational spaces.
Port Alberni’s TMP is one of several major master planning initiatives underway in the city. While this presents a valuable opportunity for coordination across departments and goals, it also brings a distinct challenge: community engagement fatigue. With residents and stakeholder groups being asked to participate in multiple simultaneous planning processes, the City recognized the need to engage strategically, respectfully, and efficiently.
To address these competing needs, a strategic engagement approach was adopted for the TMP, aiming to collect meaningful input while respecting the time and energy of the community. The TMP engagement approach was designed to recognize that many residents had already contributed significant feedback on other projects in recent months. Aligning future engagement and communication efforts and with other projects was key.