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Environmental Strategy |
1.2 A Community Vision for Managing Growth: Ottawa 20/20
In evaluating the factors that will influence the City of Ottawa's environment
over the next twenty years, the major driving factor for change will be the
increase in the number of people living within our City. The population is estimated
to increase by approximately 50%, from 800,000 currently to approximately 1.0
to 1.2 million by the year 2020. This is a level of growth that is unprecedented
in the history of Ottawa. To respond creatively to this change, to preserve,
and ideally enhance our quality of life, the City of Ottawa undertook the Ottawa
20/20 planning process to define how we would plan and direct this growth over
the next two decades.
Through 2002, numerous discussions occurred within the community, including
meetings of Ward neighbours, environmental groups, community groups and business
sectors. Ideas captured within these sessions determined the vision of how residents
would like to see the City twenty years from now. This process identified seven
main themes that the City has adopted as the Guiding Principles to manage the
projected growth. These seven Guiding Principles and the goals that support
them are described below.
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 our
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 in 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 citywide 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.
Next: 1.3 Growth Management Plans and the Environmental
Strategy
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