Calgarians may think of neighbouring Okotoks as sprawling suburbia, but they shouldn't.
That much is clear when you consider the city's status in the eyes of Statistics Canada.
The government agency says Okotoks has a density of 1,273 persons per square kilometre. That gives it the highest density of all communities with less-than-100,000 population in the country.
Higher-density development is good, because it makes the community more sustainable, according to Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson.
While growth leads to density, which is necessary for sustainability, the city of 24,500 is still facing some significant challenges. It's in the process of engaging residents and businesses to get their feedback on what it should do to manage both its limited water supply and land base better. As well, the town is looking at annexation of lands in the Municipal District of Foothills.
The density of Okotoks has jumped steadily with the community's population, which was almost 43 per cent higher for its 2011 census than for its 2006 census. It is now Alberta's 14th-largest community.
from Western Investor June 2012
