Latest news with #JanGehl

Ottawa Citizen

Phillips and McAllister: To build a better city, figure out what you want before you change zoning rules

Article content And worse news, the province has put a five per cent cap and 25-year limit on affordable housing along transit corridors where density was to be most intense. Article content The error is made worse by persistently equating taller buildings with beneficial density. 'Density' speaks to the number of people or activities a space accommodates — not merely its height. Urban intensity can also be successful and more acceptable through thoughtfully designed, low- and mid-rise structures that emphasize human scale and connectivity. Article content A mix of four-to-eight-storey buildings — reflecting legendary Danish architect Jan Gehl' s view on maintaining contact with the street — can foster walkable environments and vibrant street life with significantly increased density but lower heights. In contrast, monolithic high-rise towers often overshadow neighbourhoods, disrupt street-level engagement, and contribute to social isolation while severely limiting the attraction for families. Article content Article content By decoupling the idea of density from simply 'building high,' urban planners and political decision-makers can regulate community-friendly solutions that are environmentally and financially better options, rich with mixed-income housing, local shops and services, active transportation and cultural centres. Article content Many European cities prioritize livability by first defining concrete goals and outcomes before shaping regulatory requirements. Copenhagen, once in decay, revitalized its urban core and continues to do so through low- to mid-rise developments, emphasizing strong architectural identity, public spaces, efficient transit and environmental stewardship. Article content Similarly, Helsinki's 2008 'Emerald Plan' envisioned a vibrant, sustainable city with accessible green spaces and mixed-use urban fabric. In its 2016 City Plan, Helsinki institutionalized this vision into policies. Currently, 23 distinct community plans — from major green and brownfield developments to surgical interventions in existing communities — are in implementation. Each is individually structured to ensure vibrant, well-connected neighbourhoods. Tools, such as community-specific zoning, are used as strategic instruments rather than as a starting point. Article content Article content France exemplifies mixed-use developments built on dense yet often low-rise urban cores, focusing on thoughtful architectural design and inviting public spaces. Closer to home, projects such as Greystone, and Gatineau's Agora, attempt a similar approach, balancing density with community-scale environments. Article content These examples highlight that zoning should be applied only after comprehensive livability requirements are established, rather than as a primary driver of urban development. It is an approach Ottawa appears to have reversed.