1.3 – The Ottawa 20/20 Process and the
Guiding Principles

This Official Plan has been prepared within the broader context of the Ottawa 20/20 initiative, a two-year planning process that will prepare the City to better manage the growth and change that it will experience over the next 20 years. The goal of the Ottawa 20/20 initiative is sustainable development. The classic definition of sustainable development is: “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"¹. Sustainable development is a strategy that requires the integration of economic growth, social equity, and environmental management. It is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.

Ottawa 20/20 is a framework for managing growth through five-growth management plans to be completed by the spring of 2003. Taken together, the five growth management plans provide long-term strategic direction and form a comprehensive blueprint for the future of Ottawa and its communities. The five plans complement each other and will work together. In the spring of 2002, Ottawa conducted a series of public consultations designed to help establish the principles that would guide the city’s growth. The “Charting a Course” consultations produced seven guiding principles that were endorsed by City Council in June 2002 and have become the backbone of the Ottawa 20/20 initiative. In addition to guiding the preparation of all growth management plans within the City of Ottawa, these principles will also guide the municipality’s day-to-day decision-making.

The seven principles and accompanying objectives are equally important and must be balanced when making decisions.

The principles are:

A Caring and Inclusive City

• Personal Safety and Security – All people feel safe in their homes and communities.
• Access to the Basics – All people have access to adequate income, food, clothing, housing, transportation, health services and recreation.
• Citizen Engagement – Everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in the life of their community.
• Diversity – The people of Ottawa respect and celebrate cultural and social diversity, and have access to services that are responsive to special and differing needs.
• Seniors – Seniors have access to community services that respond to their needs.

A Creative City Rich in Heritage, Unique in Identity

• A Proud City – The people of Ottawa are proud of their city and treasure its identity as a wonderful place to live.
• A Capital City – We cherish the city’s amenities, recognizing that as Canada’s capital city, we have a rich variety of things to do. Being the nation’s capital brings us tourists, gives us the national cultural perspective and a window to the world.
• Vibrant Local Arts and Heritage – Local arts and heritage give us community vitality; a path to creativity and innovation; and a sense of who we are.
• Culture in Every Community – Culture is present in every community through libraries, local museums and archives, the preservation of our heritage buildings, opportunities for artistic expression, and places that present and connect local arts to people.
• Distinct Rural Countryside – Ottawa’s rural areas are distinct from the urban areas – its rural landscapes, Villages and heritage are valued by all.

A Green and Environmentally-Sensitive City

• A Green City – Ottawa preserves natural habitats and has a network of green spaces. Trees are an important way of maintaining environmental integrity.
• Development in Harmony with the Environment – Using land wisely, development builds within the current urban boundary and avoids outward sprawl.
• A Focus on Walking, Cycling and Transit – Ottawa implements policies that favour walking, cycling and public transit over the use of private motor vehicles, thereby facilitating the use of modes of transportation that are socially accessible, environmentally healthy and economically feasible.
• Clean Air, Water and Earth – All people work to improve the quality of the natural environment; limit noise and light pollution; and protect natural resources and agricultural lands.

A City of Distinct, Liveable Communities

• A Sense of Community – All communities look right and feel right. They have an identity that defines them and fosters pride and belonging among residents.
• Complete Communities – Ottawa’s communities have a variety of housing choices, employment, parks and a wide range of services and facilities accessible by walking, cycling and transit.
• Easy Mobility – Communities are easy to get around and barrier-free for the disabled. There are wide sidewalks and recreational pathways; there is frequent, accessible transit service.
• Beauty – Ottawa’s communities are pleasing to the eye. They are interesting, clean, and benefit from an abundance of trees.

An Innovative City Where Prosperity is Shared Among All

• Strong Export-Based Economic Generators – Ottawa develops and supports local innovators to create a critical mass of knowledge and experience that attracts venture capital, more talent, and spins off new companies.
• Strong Local Business – Ottawa’s local businesses thrive in an environment that provides opportunities for entrepreneurship, tourism and commerce.
• Strong Rural Economy – All people recognize and support the special role of agriculture, rural businesses and tourism in our economy.
• Connecting People to Opportunities – Citizens have access to quality training, information, education and community services that provide support to overcome barriers; increase employment; reduce poverty; and create opportunities to participate in the community.
• Connecting Businesses to a Skilled Workforce – Ottawa’s skilled workforce attracts businesses to our city that in turn provide quality jobs.

A Responsible and Responsive City

• Accountability – The City demonstrates leadership by following through and sticking to its decisions and by conducting on-going strategic monitoring and making appropriate adjustments.
• Fiscal Responsibility – The City does not spend more than it can afford. It looks for innovative ways to fund and deliver services and makes efficient use of its infrastructure and resources.
• Conduct an Open and Participatory Process – The City conducts business in a broad and open way that makes it easy for everyone to participate and collaborate.
• Partnerships – The City works with other levels of government, the private sector and community-based organizations to achieve objectives.
• Public Awareness – The City educates the public about important issues in order to raise awareness and understanding to enable the public to make knowledgeable choices.

A Healthy and Active City

• Recreation and Sport – Citizens have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of recreational pursuits, personal fitness and sport activities.
• Community Facilities – Recreation, arts and heritage facilities are provided to meet both local and city-wide needs.
• Accessibility – Citizens have access to affordable and barrier-free facilities, programs and services.
• Health Protection and Promotion – Citizens have access to community-based social and health promotion services.

¹ Our Common Future (1987), final report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission).