Overview
Ottawa has doubled its population over the past 50 years and has grown to become a major Canadian city, with over a million residents in Ottawa proper and a larger metropolitan area of 1.5 million people when including surrounding municipalities on both sides of the Ottawa River.
Historically, Ottawa’s identity has largely been shaped by its role as Canada’s capital. To many, Ottawa is known as home to Canada’s important national symbols, including Parliament Hill, the National Arts Centre, and several national museums. However, with an increasing population and diversifying local economy has come an evolving regional identity and culture in Ottawa; one that is based on shared local history (including Indigenous history), bilingualism, multiculturalism, proximity to natural areas, diverse arts, music, and culinary scenes, as well as a progressively more urban, dense, and dynamic built fabric.
In tandem with Ottawa’s evolving built fabric and cultural identity, the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan dictated the establishment of an Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) in 2010—an independent and advisory board of volunteer design professionals that play an integral role in promoting design excellence in Ottawa’s Design Priority Areas through peer review. To this day, the City of Ottawa’s UDRP members champion the importance of exceptional urban design and public realm in our nation’s capital, bringing leadership and expertise in city-building, urban landscapes, architecture, sustainable design, and heritage conservation, and augmenting the overall image of Ottawa as a capital city. With a recent update to its Terms of Reference, the City of Ottawa is now seeking additional design professionals to serve as members of the UDRP.
Ottawa’s Urban Design Review Panel is to consist of eight (8) design professionals, and currently includes David Leinster (Panel Chair), James Parakh (Vice Chair), Heather Rolleston, Emmanuelle van Rutten, John Stewart, and Alex Taranu. The Panel generally convenes on a monthly basis, twelve (12) months of the year, typically on the first Friday of the month. However, the City also has criteria that allows for additional sessions throughout the year, including Focused Design Review and Special Design Review for higher-profile projects.
Panel members dedicate their time and expertise in support of the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan goals and guidelines, including but not limited to:
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Refining Ottawa’s sophistication in urban and community design, providing good urbanism at all scales, from the largest to the very small.
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Strengthening neighborhood and place identity through architecture and urban design.
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Promoting healthy and inclusive communities through high-quality, human-scaled, urban design that creates a distinctive sense of place.
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Enhancing the public realm to foster social connections and a sense of community by inviting people to animate places year-round rather than only travel through them.
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For more information on the Ottawa Urban Design Review Panel visit the City of Ottawa webpage here. [Urban Design Review Panel | City of Ottawa]
Description:
The City of Ottawa is seeking to add two (2) new candidates for terms of 4+ years, commencing on June 1st, 2024, with particular expertise in one of the following:
Applicants must have practical work experience in their industry for over 15 years, and be registered members in good standing of their respective professional associations. Additionally, applicants are expected to:
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Communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary Panel.
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Understand the municipal planning system and development approval process.
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Understand the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan vision, goals, and general policies, as well as Council approved Urban Design Guidelines.
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Evaluate projects of varying complexities and contexts related to their profession.
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Review and critique urban design submission materials in advance of Urban Design Review Panel meetings.
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Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in Urban Design Review Panel meetings.
Panel members serve on an unpaid, voluntary basis, with the vast majority of meetings presently being held virtually. Occasionally, Panel meeting may be held in-person at Ottawa City Hall. However, travel, accommodation, meals, and incidental expenses incurred by the convening of the Panel shall be reimbursed by the City.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to the City of Ottawa’s Urban Design Review Panel inbox at UDRP@ottawa.ca no later than April 14th, 2024. Please also contact UDRP@ottawa.ca with any inquiries regarding the application process.
Last Updated Date: 2024/Mar/20