Urban Morphology as a Measure of Sprawl Repair Potential in Ottawa, Ontario
Loading...
Authors
Saunders, Evan
Date
2022-04
Type
other
Language
en
Keyword
Greyfield Redevelopment , Sprawl Repair , Urban Morphology , Sustainable Urban Form , Urban Tissue
Alternative Title
Abstract
The car-oriented nature of many Canadian cities has defined planning since the late 20th century, prioritizing segmented commercial, residential, and employment areas across vast suburban landscapes, accessible primarily by driving. The rehabilitation of these spaces, from unsustainable sprawl, towards increasingly mixed-use, environmentally conscious growth, will come to define urban planning in the coming decades. Researchers and practitioners continue to hone in their efforts on repairing these segmented environments through design. Dated commercial centres are revealing their potential as spaces capable of supporting walkable, vibrant, and sustainable suburban nodes. This report will examine the existing urban morphology of three study sites in Ottawa, Ontario, analyzing and comparing their relative potential for retrofit. The three study sites, Herongate Mall, Elmvale Acres, and Innes Crossing, all exhibit characteristic features of suburban development, including land uses separated by busy arterial roads, and struggling retail centres surrounded by large surface parking lots, making them appropriate candidates for suburban retrofit research.