Examples of AR Policy in Planning Documents (dv):
Ottawa 2020 Arts and Heritage Plan, summary
p. 6
1.6 The Guiding Principles
In the spring of 2002, Ottawa conducted a series of public consultations designed to help
establish the principles that would guide the city’s growth. The “Charting a Course”
consultations produced seven guiding principles that were endorsed by City Council in June
2002 and have become the backbone of the Ottawa 20/20 initiative. This set of principles has
guided the preparation of all five growth management plans within the City of Ottawa and will
also guide the municipality’s day-to-day decision-making in the long-term.
The seven principles and accompanying objectives are equally important and must be balanced
when making decisions. The goal is one of sustainable development: to accommodate growth
and change without undermining the environmental or social systems on which we depend.
Thus, social, cultural, environmental and economic issues must be kept in balance to make a
liveable, prosperous city.
The principles are:
A Caring and Inclusive City – universal access to adequate income, food, clothing,
transportation, health services and recreation; safety and security; equal opportunity to fully
participate in community life; respect for cultural and social diversity; access to services that are
responsive to special and differing needs.
A Creative City, Rich in Heritage, Unique in Identity – being proud of what we have and who
we are both as the nation’s capital and as a city with a particular history; a vibrant downtown,
local arts and heritage; community vitality, creativity and innovation; culture that is present in all
the city’s communities; a distinct rural countryside.
Green and Environmentally-Sensitive City – preserving and enhancing natural habitats, urban
woodlands and rural forests, and the network of green spaces; developments that respect the
environment and use land wisely; a focus on walking, cycling and transit; improving the quality
of the air, water and soil; and protecting natural resources and agricultural lands.
A City of Distinct, Liveable Communities – communities with identity; communities that have
a variety of housing choices, employment, parks, services and facilities accessible by walking,
cycling or transit; communities that are accessible to the disabled.
An Innovative City where prosperity is shared among all – creating a critical mass of
knowledge and experience that attracts venture capital and talent and spins off new companies; a
supportive environment for the creation of strong local businesses and a strong rural economy;
connecting people to opportunities.
Responsible and Responsive City – accountability, conducting on-going strategic monitoring
and making appropriate adjustments; fiscal responsibility meaning the City makes efficient use
of its infrastructure and resources; an open and participatory process that is welcoming and easy
for everyone to participate in; partnerships with other levels of government, the private sector
and community-based organizations; public education to raise awareness and understanding of
key issues and choices.
A Healthy and Active City – communities that are designed in ways that promote the health of
all residents; a focus on prevention by getting people to participate in physical activities; the
provision of parklands, recreational pathways, beaches, playgrounds, arenas, swimming pools,
and gymnasiums; a clean and safe water supply; treatment of stormwater; and the safety of
contaminated soils/sites.
p. 9
1.7 How the Guiding Principles are Addressed in the Heritage Plan
Each of the five growth management plans addresses the guiding principles from its unique
perspective. The Heritage Plan addresses the principles from a heritage perspective. The
following points outline how the Heritage Plan responds to each principle. As noted above, one
principle overtly applies to heritage. However, the commitment to heritage preservation,
presentation and promotion also relates to other principles in policy and practical terms and in
overlapping ways. Here are some crucial considerations and possibilities that also serve as a
preliminary introduction to the plan’s policies and actions.
subsections:
(edited)
A Caring and Inclusive City
A Creative City, Rich in Heritage, Unique in Identity
incl.
- The designation, preservation and commemoration of built heritage, natural
heritage, burial grounds and cemeteries, archaeological resources, cultural
heritage landscapes, and streetscapes reinforce Ottawa’s sense of place.
A Green and Environmentally Sensitive City
incl.
- Encouraging the reuse of heritage properties rather than new construction
reduces the amount of building materials sent to local landfills.
A City of Distinct, Livable Communities
incl.
- The preservation and presentation of local cultural and natural heritage is
recognized as one of the fundamental strategies to maintain a city of distinct,
attractive and livable communities.
- Communities themselves are the sources and sites of heritage programs as
evidenced in their streetscapes, built environment, natural heritage, sacred
spaces and green areas.
- Through such means as community design plans and “complete
communities” initiatives, the City will strive to ensure that all areas, wards
and neigh neighbourhoods have adequate facilities or venues to
accommodate and showcase local heritage.
An Innovative City Where Prosperity is Shared Among All
incl.
- Heritage preservation and presentation is a key component of the city’s
tourism strategy and other economic initiatives.
- An understanding of heritage and history acquired through exposure to
heritage programming provides an appreciation of the role and importance
of invention and innovation.
A Healthy, Active City
incl.
- Heritage facilities and sites and public libraries provide healthy and creative
environments for specific groups, such as seniors, children and the disabled.
A Responsible and Responsive City
p. 40
2.1.2 Identify and Protect Archaeological and Built Heritage Resources,
Streetscapes, Public and Symbolic Civic Places and Cultural Landscapes
2.1.2.1 Current situation
Cultural heritage resources such as buildings, structures, sites, archaeological resources, rural
and urban cultural heritage landscapes, areas and environments are discussed in some detail in
the Official Plan because of the inter-relationship with land use policies and provincially
mandated responsibilities. As the Official Plan says: “Heritage is a crucial aspect of the
City’s planning and infrastructure. It has the power to transform mundane daily
experiences into a deeper understanding of where we have come from and enhances our
quality of life by engendering an appreciation of local identity and shared community. Our
cultural heritage, more than any other element of urban design, defines what is unique and
distinct about Ottawa, and contributes to the liveability of our communities.”
The Official Plan provides for the conservation of cultural heritage resources by:
- Identifying cultural heritage resources and general policies for their protection;
- Requiring conservation of cultural heritage resources in the preparation of Community Design
Plans;
- Applying very specific requirements when reviewing development applications impacting on
cultural heritage resources; and
- Requiring a range of heritage matters to be addressed in the design of buildings and
streetscapes.
The Heritage Plan supports and reinforces the policies outlined in the Official Plan and
complements them with additional policies concerning the interpretation and promotion of these
resources.
Built Heritage
The Official Plan defines built heritage as “buildings, structures and sites that contribute to our
understanding of our heritage and are valued for their representation of that heritage. They may
reveal architectural, cultural, or socio-political patterns of our history or may be associated with
specific events or people who have shaped that history. Examples include buildings, groups of
buildings, dams and bridges.” Ottawa currently has more designated properties than any other
municipality in Ontario. This includes properties designated individually under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act (300 of the 5,322 individually designated properties across Ontario), as
well as properties designated within heritage conservation districts under Part V of the Ontario
Heritage Act. There are 62 Heritage Conservation Districts in Ontario, containing 6,000
properties. Of these, 15 are in Ottawa and contain 2,700 properties. Almost one quarter of all the
heritage conservation districts in Ontario are in Ottawa, and these districts contain almost half
the total number of designated properties in the province. In addition, there are roughly 7,600
non-designated properties of heritage interest in Ottawa.
The City owns 88 significant heritage buildings, bridges and gates. Nearly $1 million per year of
the City’s $16 million budget for life cycle renewal was spent on the maintenance of heritage
buildings and structures. However, this amount was decreased in 2003 to approximately
$490,000.
Sensitive urban planning and respect for built heritage are central to heritage preservation
and community development. The City has made a commitment to identify and protect
buildings and interiors of significant heritage merit. Moreover, the Official Plan suggests a
connection between heritage preservation and quality of life which should be further
developed. Such links are demonstrated in the work undertaken by the Heritage Canada
Foundation, connections between the built and natural environments, and the relationship
between heritage preservation and sustainable development.7 With the assistance of LACAC,
built heritage resources are identified and designated, although limited resources often hamper
their preservation and interpretation. The conservation of heritage buildings should be
accompanied by the conservation of the surrounding lands in order to preserve the overall
character of the building.
Natural Heritage
The city’s distinct natural environment has impacted its history and development. Features such
as geological heritage, forests and rivers have shaped the region. The Environmental Strategy
addresses issues related to natural heritage. Natural heritage will be preserved and promoted
alongside cultural heritage. For example, the Rideau Canal is a national historic site. The land
and water at Pinhey’s Point and Cumberland Heritage Village provide significant themes for
interpretation.
Cultural Heritage Landscapes
The Official Plan defines cultural heritage landscapes as “discrete aggregations of features
on the land, created and left by people, that provide the contextual and spacial information
necessary to preserve and interpret the understanding of important historical settings and
changes to past patterns of land use. Examples include a burial ground, historical garden or
larger landscape reflecting human intervention.” The protection of cultural heritage landscapes
requires sustainable land-use that maintains or enhances natural values in the landscape, supports
biological diversity, and spiritual relationships to nature. The Environmental Strategy
complements the Heritage Plan and the Official Plan in its concern for the identification and
preservation of cultural landscapes.
Public and Symbolic Spaces
Much public discussion about cultural heritage landscapes is about preserving historic
places. Public and symbolic (or sacred) spaces, places with meaning for local residents, help to
define the communities that comprise the new City of Ottawa. They can instil a feeling of civic
pride and an appreciation of heritage as citizens and visitors alike come to recognize and
frequent them throughout the city. Most public and symbolic civic places that have been
formally identified have been recognized for their national, not local, significance. Locally
significant spaces warrant preservation and interpretation.
Archaeological Resources
The Official Plan defines archaeological resources as “the physical remains and contextual
setting of any structure, event, activity, place, cultural feature or object which, because of the
passage of time, is on or below the surface of the land or water, and is important to
understanding the history of a people or place." The City has to date played a minimal role in the
preservation of archaeological resources, and needs to collaborate with the N.C.C., other federal
departments and agencies, the City of Gatineau, the Province of Ontario, and Aboriginal
communities to ensure that locally significant archaeological resources are identified and
preserved. Current N.C.C. investigations on LeBreton Flats focus concern about the ability
of the City to research, identify, protect and interpret archaeological resources related to local
history. An agreement is being prepared between the N.C.C. and the City for the management of
archaeological specimens removed from LeBreton Flats. However, the City does not currently
have the resources to be able to manage large collections of archaeological material.
Cemeteries and Burial Grounds
Cemeteries and burial grounds are also an important record of our past. They are cultural
heritage landscapes that should be protected from uncontested conversion into lands for private
development. Over 40 cemeteries exist or are known to have existed. The City owns several of
these. Rural cemeteries are the most at risk, as the city expands to the country. Some cemeteries,
such as St. Mary’s at Pinhey’s Point, should be designated as being of historical interest.
2.1.2.2 Policy Statements and Actions
PolicyStatement:
The City will preserve distinct built heritage, streetscapes and cultural heritage landscapes that
serve as landmarks and symbols of local identity in both urban and rural districts, as outlined in
the Official Plan.
subsection: Action (High Priority – Ongoing)
1. Create and maintain an accurate and accessible inventory of heritage properties, streetscapes
and cultural landscapes.
2. Maintain heritage buildings owned by the City appropriately and ensure that qualified staff
members are consulted before any repair or maintenance is conducted.
3. Increase accessibility to heritage buildings by disabled persons in accordance with provincial
legislation.
4. Give priority to the adaptive re-use of City-owned heritage buildings to meet the City’s
accommodation needs before constructing or leasing new buildings.
5. Make City-owned heritage buildings available for the adaptive use of cultural functions or
other compatible activities to preserve their conservation and maintenance.
6. Continue to provide advice and assistance to private landowners to maintain or enhance their
heritage properties.
p. 57
2.3 Build Capacity
(much of this section talks about the labour force that will implement these directives)
2.3.1.2 Policy Statements and Actions
PolicyStatement:
The City will establish Heritage Awards in several categories and expand number of
awards as warranted.
Action (High Priority; Short-term)
1. Establish heritage awards in the following categories: Outstanding Heritage Presentation;
Outstanding Contribution to Heritage Preservation; and Lifetime Achievement. These distinct
heritage awards will be in addition to the award for Outstanding Contribution to Heritage
Preservation by a volunteer
recognized by the Civic Appreciation Awards Program, and the City of Ottawa Architectural
Conservation Awards for Restoration, Adaptive Use and Infill. The awards could be presented
during the Heritage Day celebration at City Hall, or in the same ceremony as the existing awards.