DOWNTOWN MOVES TRANSFORMING OTTAWA’S STREETS International Downtown Association | Awards 2013 Category: Planning

Downtown Moves is: A sustainable Urban Design and Transportation Planning strategy that: Capitalizes on the transformative opportunities of the Confederation Line light rail transit project Pursues a balance among street users Provides practical urban design solutions Promotes progressive “moves” to enable a sustainable and economic- successful downtown Source: Friends of Downtown Ottawa web site

The Downtown Study Area The Central Business District of downtown Ottawa Heart of our Capital Region 98,000 employees 10,000 residents + growth! Rideau LRT Station Downtown East LRT Station Downtown West LRT Station

Study Timeline Transportation Committee approved the Statement of Work in April 2011 Phase 1: Study Start-Up Phase 2: Study Design, Data Collection and Research Phase 3: Momentum Building Phase 4: Downtown Mobility and Design Framework Phase 5: Implementation Strategy Phase 6: Study Finalization and Approval August 2011 Fall 2011 Winter/Spring 2012 Summer/ Fall 2012 Winter 2013 Transportation Committee and City Council unanimously approved Downtown Moves in March 2013

Case for Making Moves Downtown Investment in active transportation will improve downtown livability and health Downtown streets serve over 100,000 people who work in Ottawa’s compact high-density central area Number of downtown residents will double by 2031 3 Confederation Line stations in downtown Ottawa will accommodate tens of thousands of riders each day Increased Level of Service for pedestrians is essential for Confederation Line success All travel modes can be accommodated downtown while improving public spaces

Building on Opportunities Downtown The underground Confederation Line will transform downtown Ottawa by: Significantly reducing the volume of surface buses and changing the street environment Creating opportunities to meet the needs of pedestrians and cyclists Completely changing the relationship of public transit to the street

Function and Form Downtown It’s more than just providing for mobility … It’s the quality of the urban experience and the economic success of downtown Ottawa

Inclusive Representation Capital Builders Real Estate & Developers Downtown Communities Downtown Workers Visitors and all Canadians Business and Retailers Transportation & Infrastructure Providers Multiple perspectives in an open consultative approach: Representation from over 19 stakeholder groups, including: community and business associations, special interest groups, provincial and federal departments, technical agencies and City staff All groups shared information, perspectives and worked through issues together Consultation techniques included working group meetings, open houses, walking and cycling tours, web site, blogs, newsletters and peer-reviews

Innovative Approach to Downtown Street Reconstruction and Management New ‘Street Design Framework’ simplifies the planning and street design decision-making Supported by tools that recognize new street priorities and focus The Framework provides a logical process that can be adapted and replicated for use by other municipalities Street Design Framework Plan of Streets Vision Plans: Mobility Overlays Pedestrians Cyclists Transit Toolkit Vehicles

Sustainability = Complete Streets Downtown Over a dozen different street cross sections were developed to promote sustainable street design choices Addresses the mix of all transportation modes, local businesses and street activities Pioneering research into the concept of “Pedestrian Level-of-Service” (LOS) informed the street design and contributed to furthering planning for active transportation

Street Demonstrations for Sustainable Downtown Street Demonstration illustrations were prepared to assist politicians, business leaders and policy makers envision the opportunities for change Slater Street - before Slater Street - after

Execution and Downtown Outcomes Downtown Moves was approved unanimously by City Council in March 2013 with broad public support It was undertaken as a “Master Plan” and fulfills Phases 1 and 2 of the Environmental Assessment process, outlining how future projects can proceed As an outcome, the City has initiated the Queen Street Renewal project in June 2013 to increase downtown appeal and enhance the pedestrian experience based on the new ‘Street Design Framework’ This planning document guides the incremental transformation of streets as part of life-cycle renewal over the next 5, 10, and 20-years … Downtown Moves strongly promotes the economic success and vitality of downtown Ottawa 1877 Sparks Street (Between Elgin and Metcalfe)