Supported Goals

The Downtown Master Plan has five major goals for the future success of the downtown and its impact on the success of the entire City of Ottawa. These Design Guidelines, if carefully applied, can directly or indirectly support many of those goals. The following is a reprint of the Goals and Objectives which relate to these Guidelines.

Goal 1

Revitalize and preserve Ottawa's downtown architectural heritage and traditional downtown atmosphere. A healthy downtown is vital to Ottawa's character, image and economy. The downtown is the central focal point for the community including entertainment, shopping, recreation and historic interests for residents and visitors alike.

Objectives

Encourage building owners to maintain and update existing structures.
Promote façade and signage improvements to existing buildings with historic architectural integrity.

Goal 2

Encourage a vibrant cultural atmosphere and public involvement in downtown.

Objectives

Promote civic art in the downtown.

Goal3

Promote public and private investment in the future of downtown to achieve an economically stable Central Business District.

Objectives

Develop strategies for infill development.
Buildings should be built as high-quality, long-term components to the urban fabric.
Architecture should respond to functional needs and reinforce downtown activities.
Parking needs should be evaluated to support downtown redevelopment with sufficient on-street and off-street parking.

Goal 4

Reinforce the sense of historical continuity and unique character and setting of downtown Ottawa.

Objectives

Maintain existing views to the rivers, as well as looking towards key architectural features of the downtown.
Respect the architectural heritage of downtown.

The building Owner and the Design Review Committee should revisit these goals before any final decision is made. It is how each improvement supports these goals and how they build upon each other that will determine economic success for Ottawa.