People with wealth, and specifically homeowners are historically over-represented in City Planning consultations and civic engagement. This workshop series is intended to support those who are underrepresented in city planning decisions: low- and moderate- income folks, renters, people with disabilities, newcomers, Indigenous people, and other marginalized identities.
City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) and Ecology Ottawa are facilitating a series of workshops: Building Power to Shape a Climate-Equitable Caring City. The workshops will empower residents with the knowledge, tools, practice, and support to engage meaningfully in the decisions being made about our neighbourhoods.
- Are you looking to influence change in your neighbourhood?
- Are you impacted by unreliable transit?
- Do you need better insulation in your apartment to lower your bills and be resilient to extreme weather events?
- Have you witnessed a loss of greenspace and trees with new developments?
Then this workshop is for you! By participating, you are taking a concrete and powerful step towards actively influencing the shape of your neighbourhood to better serve you and your neighbours, and reduce emissions!
We will then move into hands-on, neighbourhood-based workshops that translate theory into action. Participants will explore how climate change, equity, and care can be planned for in our neighbourhoods, and in real development projects.
Next, participants will get to practice concrete interventions they want to take in their neighbourhood.
The series will conclude with a story-telling session where participants will share what they learned, and discuss next steps in the work towards a more just, resilient, and caring neighbourhood.
You will leave the series with knowledge of city planning and development decision processes that affect our neighbourhoods, new connections with neighbours, concrete skills in how to have your voice heard, and support to carry out an intervention—like a meeting with a councillor, giving a delegation to City Council, a letter to a decision maker, commenting at a development public meeting, or another creative action!
The Workshop Series Breakdown:
Workshops in the series will build on each other. The intention is that participants attend the whole series (a total of 4 workshops).
To attend the whole program, you will register for:
- Workshop 1a OR 1b, Workshop 2a OR 2b, Workshop 3a OR 3b, AND Workshop 4
If you cannot make all sessions, you can also register for individual sessions.
|
Workshops |
Date |
|
|
Workshop 1a |
An introduction to city planning |
February 2 |
|
Workshop 1b |
An introduction to city planning
📅 February 9 🕤 5:30 PM–8:30 PM
|
February 9 |
|
Workshop 2a |
Putting planning into practice: brainstorming, visioning, and how to have impact in our neighbourhoods
📍Abiwin Co-operative, 299 Somerset Street West 📅 February 23 🕤 5:30 PM arrival for dinner, 6–8 PM workshop
🥗 Food and beverages provided!
|
February 23 |
|
Workshop 2b |
Putting planning into practice: brainstorming, visioning, and how to have impact in our neighbourhoods
📍Rideau Hub, 815 St. Laurent Blvd 📅 March 2 🕤 1–3 PM
🥗 Food available to take home
|
March 2 |
|
Workshop 3a |
Working session on preparing your intervention for your neighbourhood
📍 Rideau Hub, 815 St. Laurent Blvd 📅 March 9 🕤 12:30–2:30 PM
🥗 Food available to take home
|
March 9 |
|
Workshop 3b |
Working session on preparing your intervention for your neighbourhood
📍Abiwin Co-operative, 299 Somerset Street West 📅 March 9 🕤 5:30 PM arrival for dinner, 6–8 PM workshop
🥗 Food and beverages provided!
|
March 9 |
|
Workshop 4 |
Storytelling and reflection session on your intervention
📅 April 13 🕤 6:30–8:30 PM
|
April 13 |
Registration is now open, with priority to equity-deserving community members historically underrepresented in the planning process. Honoraria, and childcare and transportation allowances will be available.
Project partners
Thank You to Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF)
This work wouldn't be possible without the financial support of our project funder!
