SCHOOL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
Queen's University at Kingston
SURP 826
Planning Project
Ms. Jillian Savage
Ms. Wendy Tse
Professor David Gordon
Fall Term 2014-2015
Draft August 28, 2014
URBAN PLANNING PROJECT
Implementing TOD in Eastern Ottawa
Course Objectives
This workshop course is intended to give students experience in preparing a plan under
conditions that simulate professional practice. The class will have the opportunity to sample the
experience of working in a professional consultant's office. The course has added value because
it is led by a real client whose needs are immediate. You will be required to think, act and deliver
results as if you were professional planners. In return, you will have the satisfaction of knowing
that your plan may be used by the City of Ottawa in guiding future development of TOD projects
in eastern Ottawa.
Course participants will work as a team, in large and small groups. They will be largely
responsible for all work, under the overall guidance of the course leader. As in a professional
office, they will learn to be self-reliant, since planning commissioners or principals in a
consulting firm are rarely available on a daily basis. The class will be required to:
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manage a large multi-disciplinary planning project under tight deadlines
collect, analyse and synthesize background information (fieldwork and secondary
sources)
prepare text, graphic, and financial analysis (if necessary) on paper and on
microcomputers
produce a plan that meets professional standards of content and presentation
present the plan to the client and project stakeholders
The Project Team
The Project team will consist of ten (TBA) students primarily from the land-use planning stream
of the SURP program. The team is expected to be self-motivated and self-guided. To this end,
the students will elect project managers and editors from their midst and these people will be the
liaison between the class, the instructor and the client. Class interaction with the course leader
and the client must be channeled through the project manager, as in a professional project. The
project manager and class are responsible for organizing the day-to-day management of the
project, assuring participation, quality control and deliverables. All team members will
participate in editing and production of the final report and presentation. If past experience is a
guide, these tasks will be a significant component of everybody's workload.
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Project Coaches and Co-ordinator
The City of Ottawa provides senior professional staff who will act as coaches and be the
principal contact with the students. The principal project coach has been appointed an adjunct
instructor at SURP:
Jillian Savage MCIP, RPP
Senior Planner, Policy Development and Urban Design Branch,
Planning and Growth Management Department, City of Ottawa
613-580-2424 ext. 14970
Jillian.Savage@ottawa.ca
Wendy Tse, MCIP, RPP, LEED Green Associate
Senior Planner, Policy Development and Urban Design Branch
Planning and Growth Management Department, City of Ottawa
613-580-2424, ext. 12585
Wendy.Tse@ottawa.ca
The course will be coordinated by Dr. David Gordon, MCIP. Professor Gordon will provide
strategic guidance, budgetary approval, technical assistance, quality control and assist with
evaluation.
David Gordon
School of Urban and Regional Planning, Queen's University
613-533-6000 ext. 77063
david.gordon@queensu.ca
The Client
The client for this project is the City of Ottawa's Policy Development and Urban Design branch
within the Planning and Growth Management department. Senior staff will act as our liaison and
principal instructor. The Policy Development and Urban Design branch is responsible for land
use, environmental, and infrastructure policy; review of the Official Plan and Infrastructure
Master Plan; urban design and community design; research and forecasting; and, zoning studies.
Their strategic focus aims to establish distinct, liveable communities and healthy environments
though sustainable planning methods such as mixed-use, transit-oriented development and
intensification at key locations. The City of Ottawa's interesting mix of urban, suburban and rural
communities is the result of amalgamation in 2001, which involved the Region of OttawaCarleton and 11 local municipalities. Currently, the City serves approximately over 940,000
people in almost 400,000 households. Ottawa's population is projected to grow to 1.1 million by
2031 and the number of households is expected to increase to approximately 490,000.
The Site – Tremblay Station and the Eastern LRT Corridor
The City of Ottawa has adopted a series of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plans in
support of Phase 1 of its Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project.
http://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-consultations/planning-and-infrastructure/lrt-station-area-
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transit-oriented
The TOD Plans set the stage for redevelopment by creating the regulatory framework to
stimulate development that is dense, innovative, integrated and of high-quality urban design in
the vicinity of the proposed LRT stations. The Plans emphasize well-designed, compact
neighbourhoods where residents can live, work, shop and play close by, complete daily activities
easily, access viable transit, and support local businesses.
Although the TOD plans have stimulated significant development activity in central and western
Ottawa, very little has been developed near transit stations in eastern Ottawa, and there are few
active proposals. Land has sat idle or undeveloped near the Tremblay (Train), Cyrville and Blair
stations for decades. The area is approximately 100 ha in size and is located roughly 4 km east of
downtown.
The Tremblay Station is one of the existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Stations which will be
converted into an LRT Station as part of Phase 1 of the Implementation Plan for the
Confederation Line.
http://www.confederationline.ca/
Some characteristics of the station area include:
- A multi-modal stop (LRT, VIA rail, potentially bus?)
- Public land holdings: Canada Post, VIA Rail
- City land holdings: baseball stadium
- Some (successful) big box retailers in the area (i.e. Ottawa Train Yards Shopping)
- A range of smaller and larger-sized properties
- A pedestrian bridge currently under construction over HWY
- An 8-storey Federal government office building recently constructed (for CRA)
- Several light industrial properties
- Utility buildings
The lands to be addressed by this TOD study are designated by the Official Plan (OP) as MixedUse Centre, General Urban Area and Employment Area, as per “Schedule B – Urban Policy
Plan”. “Schedule D – Primary Transit Network” of the OP illustrates the location of the existing
Bus Rapid Transitway, and Transit Station for both LRT and Bus in relation to the study area. A
“Design Priority Area” (DPA) overlay reflects the boundary of the lands designated as MixedUse Centre. Policies for DPAs require new developments to contribute “to an enhanced
pedestrian environment and to address the distinct character and unique opportunities of the
area” and are subject to the Urban Design Review Panel process.
The Tremblay Station study area is one of 11 Mixed-Use Centres that have Official Plan Density
Requirements and are subject to Density Index Zoning Requirements. Figure 2.3 of the Official
Plan sets out minimum density requirements expressed in jobs and people per gross hectare. For
the Tremblay Mixed-Use Centre, the density requirement is 250 jobs and people per gross
hectare post-2031. The 2012 target was 53 jobs and people per gross hectare.
Planning Issues
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The City’s Strategic Plan and, in turn, the OP and Transportation Master Plan establish the
priorities and policy framework for making decisions and managing growth in Ottawa. These
documents and other municipal implementation tools reinforce the qualities that are most valued
by City residents and also provide the policy direction for this project.
Issues to be investigated:
TOD Implementation:
The team will analyze current conditions in the area along the eastern corridor and identify
appropriate Canadian and international precedents for good TOD implementation beyond
establishing conventional policy and zoning regulations. Students will analyze plans for specific
areas; identify key policies, recommend tools or strategies to ensure successful implementation
and prepare a financial strategy for a demonstration plan at the Tremblay Station area.
Retrofitting, intensifying and planned phasing: Shifting from car-oriented neighbourhoods to
pedestrian and transit-oriented neighbourhoods. Introducing a new urban structure and new uses
into the current fabric to increase density and achieve the desired built form over time.
This course will suit students interested in land use planning and real estate. It may include
aspects of other related disciplines such as community design.
Project Deliverables
A. Existing conditions
1. Consider and define:
a. Market overview- current businesses, rental rates, housing prices, site size and
configuration, vacant lots
b. The demographic, employment and housing profile
c. Boundaries of the community and entryways
d. Relationship to adjacent communities
e. Community focal points, centres of activity
f. Existing community resources- schools, community centres, parks, greenspace
g. Transportation and infrastructure capacities' conditions, alignments
h. Natural resources, functions and values in the area
i. Pedestrian and cycling networks; linkages to adjacent communities
j. Remaining elements of valued historic development patterns
k. Views, vistas, landscapes, features landmarks
l. Existing character of the built form – design elements, heritage resources, visual
cues
m. Floodplains, unstable slopes, contamination, other constraints
n. Current development applications
2. Review and analyze relevant planning documentation such as the Tremblay Road TOD
Plan; other TOD Plans; Official Plan, City Strategic Plan, Transportation Master Plan,
Ottawa Cycling Plan, Ottawa Pedestrian Plan, Zoning Bylaw, various Urban Design
Guidelines and other related studies.
B. Summary of Key Observations:
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1. Define the current policy context, market conditions, urban form, and understand the
existing municipal framework (and the potential limitations therein)
2. Identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT)
C. TOD Implementation Options:
1. Examine the theoretical basis for implementing transit-oriented development.
2. Prepare a compendium of best-practice case studies for implementation of TOD.
3. Identify which TOD implementation strategies may be most appropriate for the City of
Ottawa to consider for the Tremblay Station area.
D. TOD Implementation Strategy for Tremblay Station and immediate area:
1. Review the plan for the Tremblay Station area.
2. Develop policy recommendations and potential implementation strategies to achieve
the plan
3. Prepare a financial strategy and pro-forma budget for implementation of the TOD
plan.
The deliverables are chapter-by-chapter components of the final report, including an inventory,
evaluation and policy recommendations. In other words, preparation of the final report starts at
the beginning of the project.
Resources
The Project team will be provided with a number of hard copy and electronic files from the City
of Ottawa that will assist in determining existing conditions of the area. A catalogue of all
documents will be provided. A number of maps will also be provided in hard copy and digital
file. In addition, a Resource List with links to files, maps, and tools online will be included. The
City of Ottawa's website is an excellent resource and it is recommended that students become
familiar with the materials available there.
Proposed Evaluation
Mid-term report chapters
Mid-term presentation
Final report (including maps and diagrams) and supporting reports
Final presentation (including the use of visual aids, e.g., PowerPoint)
Peer evaluation*
10%
10%
50%
20%
10%
*each student is required to evaluate all other students enrolled in the project course. Additional
information on peer evaluation will be provided in the first week of the course.
N.B.: This is a professional practice course. Presentation dates are set in advance with the
cooperation of the client. Late submission of written material, including the final report, is
discouraged and will be subject to the usual penalty of 1% per day. Since the final report is a
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group project, all students in the class will be responsible for its completion.
There will be some discretion on the part of the course coordinator in assigning additional marks
for merit to the course managers.
Budget
The course sponsor has agreed in principle to provide a small budget to cover course expenses.
The City of Ottawa, with the help of other key stakeholders has agreed to provide base plans,
selected reports and digital information. The sponsor will cover the cost of field trips and
reproduction of the report. The project manager, project treasurer and the instructor will confirm
the available budget at the beginning of term and will approve and monitor expenses throughout.
The managers must monitor the design and format of the final report to ensure that copies for the
project team are affordable within the budget. However, students may incur some costs for
telephone calls, faxes reports or materials that would not be covered by our modest budget for
these items.
Schedule
Wednesdays and Fridays between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm for formal meetings. Most classes take
place on Wednesdays, from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, unless arranged otherwise by the project
manager, course instructor or the course coach. The first field trip to Ottawa is scheduled for
Friday, September 12th.
PROJECT STAGES
Note: This is a suggested schedule for the entire course, intended to give participants an
overview of the content and deliverables at each stage. However, this course is being run on the
model of a consultant study, in which considerable flexibility is retained in order to respond to
issues as they arise. The class and their project manager will be responsible for creating their
own schedule and fine-tuning it throughout the term.
Stage 1 - Orientation and Background Research
1a. Tuesday, September 9, 2:30-3:30 Course Orientation and Team Organization
 Introduction to the faculty and course pedagogical objectives (faculty)
 Review of roles of faculty and adjunct instructors
 Orientation to the course and expectations
 Discussion of course protocols, roles and responsibilities
 Workshop: project management techniques and planning processes
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: None
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1b. Wednesday, September 12:30 - 5:30 Project Orientation and Team Organization
 Overview of site & client interest (video conference or teleconference)
 Review of resources available
 Orientation to the project and expectations
 Election of project manager(s)
 Election of treasurer
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: None
2. Friday, September 12, 7:00am- 11:00 pm
 Field trip to Ottawa by bus
 Site visit by windshield survey
 Meeting with adjunct instructor & client staff (City Hall)
 Stakeholders meetings
 Site visit (morning)
 Field work (late morning / early afternoon)
Location: Ottawa
Deliverables: Meeting notes, databases of stakeholders
3. Week of September 14 - Background Research
 SWOT analysis
 Existing conditions (Data Collection, organization and evaluation)
 Arranging further stakeholder interviews (if necessary)
 TOD implementation comparison- Research into greyfields intensification approaches
 Consideration of plan implementation instrument approaches (criteria, format, etc.)
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: Confirmation of project management team structure and budget. Presentation of
work-in-progress interview notes, precedent examples, TOD implementation research, etc.
4. Week of September 21- Background Research
 SWOT analysis continues
 Existing Conditions (data collection, organization and evaluation)
 Stakeholder interviews
 TOD implementation comparison- ongoing research
 Consideration of plan implementation instrument approaches (criteria, format, etc.)
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: Confirmation of final product (format, layout, etc.) Presentation of work-inprogress: interview notes, precedent examples, sustainability research, etc.
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5. Week of September 28- Project Analysis
 Stakeholder interviews complete
 Workshop- precedent and policy analysis
 Preliminary Strategies for Tremblay Station corridor
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: Presentation of work-in-progress; chapter outline for policy analysis; stakeholder
analysis; intensification analysis and framework for application to the Tremblay Station area
Stage II - Evaluation
6. Week of October 5 - Mid-Term Status Report
 Project team prepares for next week's presentation of preliminary findings (mid-project
report)
 Identification of strategic issues
 Identification of "best-guess” response and alternatives
 Focus on intensification and greyfield redevelopment
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: Policy analysis; stakeholder analysis; precedent catalogue, draft report chapters for
grading.
7. Week of October 12 - Presentation of Preliminary Findings
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Informal workshop setting presentation by team to coaches and stakeholders
Full presentation of work-in-progress (issues and options)
Critique and recommendations for changes discussed
Brainstorming session on policy options
Issues: findings of analysis to date, exploration of alternatives, report format,
considerations, additional research needs, etc.
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
8. Friday, October 17 (?) - Charrette with City of Ottawa Staff (optional)
 At the discretion of the project team, and in discussion with the client,a charrette will be
held to work through outstanding issues in the project. The Project Team must decide
whether to hold the charrette by Friday, September 26.
Location: SURP
9. Week of October 16 - Planning Recommendations
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Begin preparation of draft report, policies and planning instruments
Refine site design options
Advanced development of report template
Prepare implementation strategy, draft subdivision and site
Report and Presentation evaluation rubrics provided
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Location: SURP
Deliverables: Draft report chapters (issues paper, opportunities, explanation of future directions);
implementation strategy; final presentation to coaches and critique.
10. Week of October 26 - Project Refinements
 Workshop and studio format
 Team continues to refine site designs
 Fill in missing research gaps
 Refine project report format
 Refine presentation- style, roles and responsibilities
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: Status report on above; status report forwarded to coaches for comments and
direction.
11. Week of November 9 - Project Refinements
 Workshop and studio format
 Team continues to refine plan and report based on Client's comments
 Fill in missing research gaps
 Complete design drawings
 Refine project report format
 Refine presentation- style, roles and responsibilities
Location: SURP
Deliverables: status report on above.
12. Week of November 16 - Draft Report complete
 Draft report written and supporting graphics continue
 Revised design drawings
 Final research additions
Deliverables: Executive summary outline presented to coaches
Stage III – Final Report and Presentations
13. Week of November 19 - Executive Summary and Presentation
 Executive summary completed
 Report graphics completed
 Presentation outline prepared
Deliverables: Executive summary, presentation outline.
14. Week of November 23 - Executive Summary and Rehearsal
 Draft report completed for review
 Presentation graphics completed
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 Presentation prepared for faculty
 Presentation rehearsal for faculty and student review
Deliverable: December 1 - Revised report submitted to coaches for review and evaluation;
printer organized and quote obtained
14. Friday, Friday, November 28 - Presentation to Faculty and School
 Team to present findings in presentation to faculty and fellow students in special session
 Presentation to include audio-visual support, models, graphics, maps and schemes
 Critique and guidance provided re: changes required
 Comparison to other team presentations
Location: SURP Sutherland Hall 554
Deliverables: Full-scale audio-visual presentation developed.
16. Week of Nov. 30/ Dec. 7- Presentation to Client and Stakeholders
 Full-scale audio-visual presentation to client and stakeholders, accompanied by handouts
 Questions and answers in 'breakout' sessions
 Discussion, advice, re: changes, directions, etc.
 Organize changes to final report
Location: Ottawa City Hall
Deliverables: Professional-quality presentation; schedule for report amendments
Week of December 7 - Coaches return report with minor amendments; printing cost confirmed
Friday December 19 - Final report delivered to printer for reproduction
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