The National Capital Commission is working with the public to create a new lighting plan for Ottawa that is energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
The NCC kicked off its “Capital Illumination Plan” with a public workshop March 31.
The plan aims to create a new lighting scheme for Ottawa’s public and private buildings, infrastructure, and public art.
The goal is to illuminate Ottawa in ways that are more sustainable and attractive, while also serving to create a more secure city at night.
Mark Kristmanson, the CEO of the NCC, says the plan has been in the works for a long time.
“We hope the first stage will come into being in 2017,” Kristmanson says. “But, it’s really an idea that’s been around the commission for, I’d say decades, and I’m really happy to bring it to reality.”
In the workshop, 100 participants shared their ideas about light in Canada’s capital. They were asked to identify and discuss areas in the city that need more light and less light, which public monuments should be a focus, as well as their vision for the city’s overall lighting Plan.
In groups of seven to 10, participants got the chance to use maps to express their ideas for the plan. At the end, each group shared a summary of their discussions.
A common concern was to keep the lighting scheme subtle and not “gaudy,” as one participant put it.
Most groups agreed that Ottawa needs a better nocturnal lighting plan to improve nightlife in the city, both aesthetically and for security reasons.
Environmental concerns were also discussed, and most said they should be a high priority for the NCC’s plan in order to be “as progressive and modern as possible,” as another participant said.
Kristmanson says Centretown will be a key area of focus when developing the illumination plan.
“I think Centretown has so many assets. Some of them are lit, and lit well, and some of them are in the dark. So this will be an opportunity to bring life into Centretown,” Kristmanson says. “I think there is a lot of fun to be had in putting this into effect over the next few years.”
Kristmanson also says creating an environmentally friendly plan will be a focus for the NCC.
Leanne Moussa, a workshop participant, says the event was a success and long overdue.
“I don’t think there has been enough attention paid to developing a plan that is fitting of the nation’s capital,” Moussa said.
She says the plan needs to be well thought out and is glad the NCC is getting public input.
“The lighting plan has to be consistent and cohesive and so I think the idea to have an overarching plan is critical, one that both the city and the NCC collaboratively develop,” Moussa says.