Sparks Street should be linked to the Rideau Centre and the Byward Market to create a cyclist and pedestrian-friendly triangle, according to an internationally recognized architecture expert visiting this week.
Camilla van Deurs, an associate at Gehl Architects of Copenhagen, suggested the change while in Ottawa on a four-day visit.
The National Capital Commission hired the company to help analyze sustainable transportation in Ottawa and find improvements for alternate transportation in the region’s capital. This includes cycling, said Jasmine Leduc, a spokesperson for NCC.
Leduc said van Deurs pointed out that the Rideau Centre, the Byward Market and Sparks Street form a triangle, where each point is potentially great for walking and cycling.
However, van Deurs also pointed out the spots are difficult to get to without a car.
Leduc said they haven’t made official plans yet, but the firm has been sharing ideas, during a visit to Ottawa this week, to “build a greener capital for all Canadians.”
The firm has been meeting this week with city councillors, planners and stakeholders, as well as touring the city by bike, with the intention of presenting a report to the NCC at the end of their trip.
The findings will be used by the NCC, said Leduc, along with the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa, to help improve sustainable transportation- a key component in the Plan for Canada’s Capital, the overarching plan for the capital region over the next 50 years.
Leduc also said the findings will be helpful for the NCC when they roll out their bike share program, an initiative they hope to launch by spring 2011.
The system would include 50 bike rental stations across the city, offering 500 bikes in total to Ottawa residents.
She said NCC will be in partnership with the Cities of Gatineau and Ottawa for the program, and that currently evaluations are still in progress and agreements with the City have yet to be made.