Land use planning is a process that helps guide the growth of communities by creating policies for what types of land uses (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, park) and what types of built form (e.g., single-detached houses, townhouses, apartments) are appropriate in certain areas based on factors such as roads, infrastructure, the environment, and neighbourhood character. The City of Maple Ridge has a team of planners that create maps for land uses and review applications for new development across the City.