Education & Training for Real Estate Professionals, Developers and Planners in B.C.
In the fast-changing landscape of housing policy, urban growth and public consultation, understanding how cities evolve is critical. Our education and training programs, led by the experts at Pooni Group in partnership with Laidler Academy, equip professionals with the tools to navigate the complexities of development and planning in Metro Vancouver and across British Columbia.
Whether you're a realtor advising clients, a developer navigating rezoning, or a communications professional explaining project impacts, our sessions are built to give you real-world insights grounded in planning, policy and politics.
What We Teach
Our courses and workshops are tailored to professionals working at the intersection of land use, legislation and development.
1. Urban Planning Fundamentals
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Zoning, land use and density
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Official Community Plans (OCPs)
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Transit-oriented development
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Neighbourhood planning & growth management
2. Development Process in BC
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Rezoning and permitting steps
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Development Cost Charges (DCCs)
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Community Amenity Contributions (CACs)
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Public consultation requirements
3. Key Legislation & Policy
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Housing Supply Act (Bill 43)
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Provincial legislation impacting zoning and housing targets (Bill 44)
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BC Energy Step Code and Building Code updates
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Environmental and heritage considerations
4. Metro Vancouver Context
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Regional growth strategy
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Municipal housing targets
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Variations in local planning
(Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, etc.) -
Impacts of SkyTrain expansion and transit infrastructure
5. Realtor & Developer Essentials
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What realtors need to know about land use policy
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How to read zoning maps and OCPs
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Understanding buildable potential and upzoning
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Navigating timelines and approval processes
6. Market and Policy Trends
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Missing middle housing and multiplex reforms
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Rental-only zoning and tenant protection legislation
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Short-term rental regulations
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Affordable housing requirements and incentives
How We Teach
We offer:
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On-demand and live webinars
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Custom team-training workshops
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In-depth in-person presentations and panels
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Curated sessions with planning consultants, communications experts, and legislative specialists
Our sessions are based on real case studies, evolving legislation, and the political context behind planning decisions. Courses are updated regularly to reflect the latest provincial policies and municipal trends.
Learn From the Leaders
Our instructors include:
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Gary Pooni, President of Pooni Group
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Guest experts in development, architecture, real estate and government policy
We bring decades of experience guiding the region’s most complex housing and mixed-use projects across Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Ontario.
