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You could be forgiven for not knowing about the vigorous debate brewing in one of Ottawa’s many older, inner urban neighbourhoods. But it presents two interesting questions: At what point does the city stop re-hashing debates over how particular neighbourhoods should evolve? And when should the city assert its authority and stick with its own policies? Policies are developed after years of work, thousands upon thousands of staff hours, public engagement, stakeholder feedback, and approval by our democratically elected city councillors.
Manor Park Sidewalks
In this case, six streets of 1950s-era detached homes in an expensive area of the Manor Park neighbourhood do not currently have any sidewalks. Following the city’s Transportation Master Plan under Theme 6: Maximize Walkability, City staff have proposed the installation of sidewalks and traffic-calming measures when the streets are already dug up for new sewers and watermains starting this summer.
A street where sidewalks have been proposed.
These residents argue against sidewalks citing the loss of neighbourhood character, mature tree preservation, perceived increased costs of sidewalk infrastructure, and negative environmental impact of concrete sidewalks. Many argue that since they themselves feel safe walking these streets, the sidewalks are unnecessary.
Yet these arguments fall flat when examined more closely. The city has already highlighted that tree protection will be a priority, and installing sidewalks during ongoing construction is cost-saving. Any loss of green space will be offset by the creation of safer streets, which promotes more sustainable modes of transportation. Finally, multiple community members including those in the disability community have spoken up about their own difficult transportation experiences in the neighbourhood. If preserving “neighbourhood character” means excluding people with disabilities - 27% of Canadians - aren’t our priorities backward?
Sadly, this situation is not unique to Manor Park. Similar delays, reductions in scope, and even cancellations of proposed sidewalk and cycling infrastructure installations have happened in other neighbourhoods in Ottawa, such as this case in an Orléans neighbourhood or this case near an LRT station.
Transportation Master Plan in Action
The project as proposed is a perfect example of the City of Ottawa’s Council-approved Transportation Master Plan in action. The Master Plan includes policy 6-2 which aims to “Improve and Expand the Pedestrian Network: “Maximize opportunities through construction – Build sidewalks when roads are being reconstructed or redeveloped, as this is cost-effective and less disruptive, and connect new sidewalks to existing sidewalks wherever possible”.
Seems sensible, right? Bring older neighbourhoods that lack basic infrastructure like sidewalks up to current accessibility and safety standards. Start building a useful network for walkability whenever the opportunity arises. In a car-centric city like Ottawa, sidewalks are a crucial piece of making our city accessible and safe, providing basic freedom of movement to people of all ages and all abilities.
Sidewalks are Inclusive, Sustainable & Necessary
Every neighbourhood is special to the people who live there and feels like it has a unique character. An emotional attachment to a place is not a bad thing and certainly fosters care and community pride. But as a city and as taxpayers, there are times when we must make collective decisions that go beyond our own personal priorities and preferences.
Creating more sidewalks is essential in a sprawling city like Ottawa if we hope to transition from one that forces car-dependency to a sustainable city where most residents' daily needs - parks, shops, school, community centres - can be found within a 15-minute walk. A robust sidewalk network ensures that every part of the city can be traversed by walking or rolling, wherever people live and wherever they wish to go. Like the goals of frequent and reliable public transit service and a useful network of safe bike lanes, sidewalks make it possible for residents to have equitable mobility options.
Our city’s thoughtful and democratically-approved Transportation Master Plan considered these crucial issues of sustainability and inclusivity when developing its sidewalk policies.
Take Action
If you live anywhere within Manor Park - not only on the affected streets - please express your support for sidewalks by attending the upcoming Public Information Session July 30 at 6pm at 1805 Gaspé Ave in the main hall and completing Councillor Rawlson King’s survey.
Wherever you live across Ottawa, it’s time to call on our city to take the leadership it describes in its Transportation Master Plan - leadership for a livable city that is accessible for everyone and provides sustainable and equitable mobility options.
Eugenie Waters is a resident of Manor Park and is on the board of the Manor Park Community Association as chair of the Environmental Sustainability Committee. She is also a community-based family physician involved in medical education regarding the intersections of climate change and health and an advocate for sustainable transportation.
Image 1: Official neighbourhood boundaries of Manor Park, as outlined in the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study
