Urban Planning and Design Portfolio

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PORTFOLIO

URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN

B.COMMUNITY DESIGN | M.URBAN PLANNING

HUNTER HOPKINS

ABOUT

I am a recent graduate with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Queen’s University. With two previous bachelor’s degrees in community design and sociology, I have a combined eight years of academic experience studying urban spaces and the people who inhabit them. My primary areas of focus include public realm planning, placemaking, and urban design.

While in graduate school, I completed a master’s research report on the utilization of urban parks in Montreal through the adoption of Jan Gehl’s influential Public Spaces, Public Life (PSPL) framework, which has been deployed in cities including Toronto and Vancouver. During my second year, I was the urban design lead for a term project involving the redevelopment and activation of Beechwood Avenue in Ottawa, Ontario. My project team worked alongside the City’s planning staff and submitted a comprehensive design study complete with both tactical and long-term design recommendations that focused on pedestrian-oriented design, ecological sustainability, and improved neighbourhood imageability.

Much of my work focuses on the activation of the public realm. I am most interested in promoting urban environments that are dynamic, healthy, and equitable.

CONTACT:

hopkinshgp@gmail.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-hopkins2023/

EDUCATION:

Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON

» Collaborated with City of Ottawa planning staff on a comprehensive design study and streetscape proposal for Beechwood Avenue

» Published Master’s Research Report on public sociability and utilization of urban parks in Montreal

» Relevant courses include Community Design, Physical Planning, Land Use Planning, and Healthy Communities

Bachelor of Sociology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC

» Graduated with Distinction

» Awarded the Perseverance Scholarship by the Government of Quebec

» Relevant courses include Urban Sociology, Housing Policy in Montreal, & Employment Analysis

Bachelor of Community Design, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

» Relevant courses include Public Realm Planning, Transportation Policy, & Universal Design

EXPERIENCE:

Campus Planning and Real Estate Intern, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON

» Reviewed all incoming capital investment proposals to ensure they aligned with the sustainability, open space, and built-form planning principles outlined in the Campus Master Plan

» Presented all proposals to the Campus Master Plan Advisory Committee, including multi-million-dollar landscaping and public realm improvement projects

» Acted as lead contact and collaborated with a major urban planning consulting firm in the preparation of siting and massing studies for two major redevelopment sites on campus

Teaching Assistant, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON

» Led a weekly 90-minute tutorial with 45 students that included a lecture component and class discussion

» Independently curated PowerPoint presentations related to class concepts, graded all assignments

» Provided direction and feedback to students during tutorial and office hours

Regional Project Coordinator, PBJ Design, Halifax, NS

» Spearheaded a city-wide placemaking program involving the donation and placement of pianos in public spaces

» Led a team of 3 in proposing a beautification and activation campaign for Granville Mall in downtown Halifax

» Worked alongside the Downtown Halifax Business Commission to orchestrate a pop-up farmers market in Granville Mall

» Collaborated with a local non-profit for their upcoming relocation, leading public outreach and design charrettes with members of the community

EXTRACURRICULARS:

Vice President of Social Affairs, Queen’s Graduate Association of Planning Students, Kingston, ON

» Responsible for overseeing and directing all student and departmental events and fundraisers

» Led a team of 8 in planning and executing the department’s Spring Formal with 60 attendees

» Undertook the lead role as part of the 2023 Orientation Committee for prospective students

» Responsible for organizing bi-weekly meetings with members of the executive council

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

» Adobe Photoshop

» Adobe Illustrator

» Adobe InDesign

» Sketchup

» ArcGIS

» Twinmotion

» Microsoft Word

» Microsoft PowerPoint

» Microsoft Excel

– 2024

– 2023

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BEECHWOOD AVENUE MAINSTREET MASTERPLAN

Ottawa, ON

3

SUSSEX DRIVE WATERFRONT ACTIVATION

Ottawa, ON

4

PUBLIC SPACES, PUBLIC LIFE STUDY OF MONTREAL (MASTER’S RESEARCH REPORT)

Montreal, QC

5

GREYFIELD DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Kingston, ON

NORTH KINGSTOWN SECONDARY PLAN

Kingston, ON

BEECHWOOD AVENUE MAINSTREET MASTERPLAN

YEAR: 2023

CLIENT: City of Ottawa, Department of Urban Design

LOCATION: Ottawa, ON

ROLE: Production Editor and Urban Design Lead

RESPONSIBILITIES:Public realm design guidelines, precedent research, 3-D modelling and rendering, final report production

LENGTH:168 pages

OVERVIEW:

In September 2023, The project team, consisting of five students, was retained by the City of Ottawa to establish a detailed urban design proposal to improve connectivity and strengthen the public realm along Beechwood Avenue and surrounding areas.

The objective of this urban design study was to provide design interventions and strategic recommendations that improve the connectivity and public realm along Beechwood Avenue, thereby aligning it with the City’s Mainstreet Design Guidelines. Through both tactical design interventions and long-term recommendations, the intent is to transform Beechwood Avenue into a quality destination within the Nation’s capital. In particular, the outlined design interventions and recommendations aspire to improve pedestrian connectivity along Beechwood Avenue and establish a dynamic and resilient public realm through the creation of new open spaces and community programming opportunities.

DELIVERABLES:

The final proposal consisted of a 168 page report with 11 chapters detailing site analysis, policy analysis, precedent research, design interventions, and both tactical and long-term recommendations for the City of Ottawa.

Similarly, a 45-minute final presentation and Q+A occurred on December 7th, 2023, at Ottawa City Hall. Attendees included council members, city planning staff, and members of the public.

Restitching the Urban Fabric of Beechwood Avenue

Fostering a Dynamic Public Realm in the Nation's Capital 6ttawa

SITE ANALYSIS

Although designated a Commercial Mainstreet by the City, Beechwood Avenue currently faces several issues related to accessibility, transportation, and activation of the public realm. The biggest challenge facing the site is the narrow right of way (ROW), which ranges from 17.5 to 22.5-metres. This results in large travel lanes (3.65-metres), while cycling lanes and sidewalks are forced to share a roughly 3-metre ROW. Similarly, existing pedestrian infrastructure is in disrepair, with multiple cracks and potholes creating accessibility barriers and often forcing foot traffic into the cycling lanes.

While the site is zoned for mixed use, medium-density commercial uses, the existing land use consists of primarily low-density, detached commercial uses with large front and side setbacks that result in an interrupted and uncoordinated streetwall.

Beechwood Avenue also suffers from a lack of open space, with an overabundance of vacant parcels and large surface parking lots directly abutting the street. The only notable public space along the corridor is the recently completed St. Charles Market, a small public square that sees heavy use for community events and programming. However, during several stakeholder meetings, the desire for more public space was communicated by multiple residents and business owners.

These spatial elements combine to create an unpleasant urban environment that deters pedestrian foot traffic and results in a neglected public realm.

Population Density for Surrounding Neighbourhoods:

OPEN SPACE

LOW DENSITY RES

MED DENSITY RES

HIGH DENSITY RES

COMMERCIAL

MIXED USE

INSTITUTIONAL

URBAN FABRIC

SURFACE PARKING

PUBLIC SPACE

STRENGTHS

1. Intersection of four neighbourhoods

2. Existing support for commercial and mixed-use zoning

3. St. Charles Market provides a popular public space fronting onto the street

4. Recent intensification and infill development

5. Adjacent to the riverfront, National Cemetery, Heritage neighbourhood

OPPORTUNITIES

1. Vacant land and underutilized commercial uses

2. Cultural diversity in surrounding neighbourhoods

3. Increasing population density in recent years

4. Foundations for a 15-minute neighbourhood reflective of Ottawa’s 2020 urban development guidelines

WEAKNESSES

1. No overall unified identity (street furniture, public art, wayfinding, gateways, land use, hardscape materials)

2. Insufficient ROW for existing multi-modal transport needs and connectivity

3. Inappropriate pedestrian infrastructure including unsafe, narrow sidewalks (1.5 m)

4. Dominance of low-density commercial uses and surface parking throughout the area

5. Absent public realm: lack of seating and public space, lack of shade coverage and street landscaping, and lack of programmable flex spaces

THREATS

1. Potential for gentrification and displacement

2. Institutional uses located at key intersections on Beechwood Avenue pose a challenge to future activation and intensification

3. High long-term cost of investment

4. Lack of strong existing business improvement area for Beechwood Avenue

DESIGN CHARRETTE

On October 23, 2023, the project team conducted a design charrette open to community stakeholders, City of Ottawa staff, and reputable professionals in the planning field. Participants were divided into four groups with each focusing on a specific a specific site theme to guide their analysis and design.

As a result of the design charrette, the project team greatly benefited from the insight, design interventions and overall ideas generated by participants. As each group focused on different themes and site locations along Beechwood Avenue, both concerns and design interventions varied amongst participants. However, common design themes and considerations were found among multiple design concepts, as shown in the table below.

Following an afternoon of brainstorming and collaboration, charrette participants presented their design concepts to each other during a 90-minute open forum.

DESIGN STRATEGY

The outlined guiding vision and design principles were established in response to the project team’s site analysis, policy analysis, precedent research, stakeholder interviews, and design charrette exercise.

The guiding vision for Beechwood Avenue encompasses four central themes, each with specific design principles meant to provide direction and clarity during the design process:

Inclusive: Create a dynamic Mainstreet for people of all ages and abilities.

• A network of complete streets designed for accessibility and inclusivity

• A mix of uses to support a diverse and vibrant community

Health and Sustainability: Support Ottawa’s vision for 15-minute neighbourhoods.

• Environmentally sustainable landscapes and architecture

• A design response that prioritizes walking, cycling, and public transit

Making Place: Give a distinct sense of destination to Beechwood Avenue.

• A variety of public spaces for both spontaneous leisure and organized programming

• Public art, landscape and architecture that acknowledge the area’s rich and varied history

Reunification: Transition and integration with surrounding land uses should be at the forefront of all interventions.

• An architecture that is unique, contemporary and compatible with surrounding neighbourhoods

• A human-scaled environment that reintegrates pedestrians into the urban fabric of Beechwood Avenue

The conceptual framework envisions Beechwood Avenue as a dynamic node that nurtures a sense of community, encourages social interactions, and supports economic activities. Elements such as greenspaces, public seating, and well-defined gathering areas contribute to a thriving urban environment that benefits residents, visitors, and local businesses. Here, the streetscape itself becomes a catalyst for a vibrant and dynamic public realm.

PROPOSAL

The redesign and revitalization of Ottawa’s Beechwood Avenue represents a transformative opportunity to enhance the City’s urban fabric and foster a vibrant public realm. The design considerations that underpin the project proposal focus on a 650-metre stretch of Beechwood Avenue. This master plan intends to unite the core design principles of inclusivity, health and sustainability, placemaking, and reunification into a design response that effectively plans for the future growth of Beechwood Avenue and its surrounding areas. It outlines specific streetscaping and development interventions that encourage the promotion of place and align the Beechwood Corridor with Ottawa’s vision for a 15-Minute City.

The overarching streetscaping strategy for Beechwood Avenue involves a series of both tactical and long-term interventions, focused on reorienting the utilization of the street away from a transportation-led arterial corridor and into a dynamic and accessible public realm.

LEGEND

CIRCULATION AND RIGHT OF WAY RECONFIGURATION

Throughout the study area, the overall right-of-way (ROW) of Beechwood Avenue has been substantially reworked to better accommodate active modes of transportation while still functioning as an arterial corridor linking north east Ottawa to the central business district.

Cycling:

A major intervention outlined in the conceptual plan involves the relocation of the existing 1.2-metre cycling lanes to Barrette Street to address Beechwood Avenue’s currently inadequate ROW which poses numerous safety and accessibility hazards for both pedestrians and cyclists. The creation of a new interim cycling route along Barrette Street from Charlevoix Street to Marier Avenue would result in a dual lane (3.0-metre ROW) cycling network with a protected edge along the north side of the street. This location was chosen due to the recent intensification and redevelopment of parcels located between Beechwood Avenue and Barrette Street, resulting in fewer interruptions from private driveways and single detached dwellings. Implementation of the proposed network would be accomplished through the removal of one lane of street parking and the conversion of Barrette into a one-way local road.

Vehicles:

All existing vehicle lanes have been retained, with lane widths being adjusted to remain consistent throughout the study area. The proposed width of through lanes and curb lanes ranges from 3.0 to 3.65-metres, while dedicated left-turn lanes located between Chrichton Street and Springfield Road are designed to be 3.0 to 3.3-metres wide. These changes are reflective of road engineering design standards seen in other Canadian cities (such as Edmonton and Toronto) and are wide enough to account for bus and commercial motor vehicle traffic.

All bus stops along Beechwood Avenue, Barrette Street, Loyer Street, and Marier Avenue have been retained, and existing bus routes throughout the study area have been maintained to ensure minimal disruption to the City’s public transportation network.

Pedestrians:

With the relocation of cycling lanes to Barrette Street and the adjustment in overall lane width throughout the study area, a total space of 3.6-metres was reallocated for sidewalks. Along Beechwood Avenue, the existing sidewalk ROW of 1.8 to 2.5metres has been widened, ranging from 2.5 to 3.0-metres at its widest. With the future redevelopment of parcels abutting Beechwood Avenue, pedestrian ROW is expected to be further increased in the long term due to mandated building setbacks and the City’s acquisition and severance of parcels as outlined in section 4.1.7 of the Official Plan.

PROTECTED CYCLING LANE

VEHICLE CIRCULATION

PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY ROUTE

PEDESTRIANIZED INTERSECTION

BEECHWOOD AVE - EXISTING ROW (22.5 m)

AVE - PROPOSED ROW (22.5 m)

BARRETTE STREET - EXISTING ROW

BARRETTE STREET - PROPOSED ROW

BEECHWOOD

DESIGN INTERVENTIONS

The overall streetscaping strategy outlined in the proposed concept emphasizes a strengthened pedestrian experience along Beechwood Avenue. The strategy aims to improve the quality of the street’s public realm while increasing pedestrian safety and comfort.

Raised Intersections Along Barrette Street:

The design concept also proposes additional pedestrian safety improvements through the use of raised intersections along Barrette Street at Loyer Street and St. Charles Street. The application of raised intersections at these locations is meant to reduce traffic speeds to a pedestrian-friendly level by ensuring the intersection is flush with the sidewalk. They also act as minor pedestrian gateways into the Beechwood Mainstreet Corridor.

Pedestrianization of Chapleau Avenue and Douglas Avenue Intersections:

Echoing the design response of the Loyer Street woonerf, the intersection of Beechwood Avenue and Douglas Avenue is envisioned as a fully pedestrianized extension of the public realm. By turning a local side street into a permeable culde-sac, a continuous linkage is formed for pedestrians, thereby enhancing walkability along Beechwood and creating additional open space. Retractable bollards at the terminus of Douglas Avenue prevent all motor vehicles except emergency responders from accessing the space, while additional landscaping and surface treatments allow for flexible use and a greater sense of comfort when walking. Additionally, a new street crossing connecting Loyer Street to Douglas Avenue is proposed, resulting in further improvements to pedestrian circulation across Beechwood Avenue.

The intersection of Beechwood Avenue and Chapleau Avenue is envisioned as an additional permeable cul-de-sac for pedestrian use. While the Douglas Avenue intervention focuses on creating a continuous pedestrian linkage to the Loyer Street woonerf, Chapleau Avenue’s closure functions as a gateway to the activated laneway space behind St. Charles Market, providing a direct path for pedestrian walking from Lindenlea and Rockcliffe Park. The ample open space provided is also intended to function as a designated patio extension for the adjacent cafes and restaurants, providing a direct sightline to the active laneway and passersby.

Conceptual render of pedestrianized intersection along Beechwood Avenue and Douglas Avenue.

Curb Extensions and Conversation Corners:

Along with the proposed sidewalk widening outlined above, the design concept highlights several intersections along Beechwood Avenue where curb extensions and bump-outs should be implemented. These curb extensions act as both visual and physical cues to calm traffic, while creating shorter pedestrian crossings and increasing available amenity space for additional street furniture, landscaping, and public art. At the same time, by extending the curb further into the street, these design interventions tighten intersection curb radii, thereby reducing turning speeds. Where curb extensions and bump-outs are present, intersections feature an adjusted corner radii of 3-metres.

Conceptual render showing expanded pedestrian infrastructure along the intersection of Beechwood Avenue and Loyer Street, along with an imagined urban format grocery store in place of the existing big-box supermarket and parking lot.

Loyer Street Woonerf:

Linking Beechwood Avenue to Barrette Street, the proposed Loyer Street woonerf acts as a central node for the surrounding urban area. By removing the physical division between different modes of transportation, this flex street transforms the urban syntax of the Beechwood corridor, enhancing safety and promoting full use of the street by pedestrians.

The combination of striped pavers, integrated landscaping, ample street furniture, bollards, and narrow travel paths for vehicles work to calm traffic and encourage social interaction. At the same time, the raised intersection of Barrette Street and Loyer Street creates a permeable secondary entrance to the broader area for pedestrians and cyclists.

1. CURB EXTENSION
2. PEDESTRIANIZED INTERSECTION
3. RETAINED BUS STOP 4. RAISED INTERSECTION LEGEND

Conceptual render of Loyer Street woonerf showcasing a pedestrian-oriented space with hardscaping elements designed to calm traffic and present a visual gateway into the area, while also enhancing the overall imageability of Beechwood Avenue. Bioswales and pervious strips function as stormwater management features - capturing and filtering stormwater runoff - while also increasing vegetation levels and overall biodiversity in the area.

Laneway Activation:

Due to spatial constraints caused by the narrow block size between Beechwood Avenue and Barrette Street, the recently renovated St. Charles market currently provides the only substantial public space within the study area. While the two woonerfs proposed for Loyer Street and St. Charles Street are designed to prioritize pedestrian foot traffic, their contribution to public space is restricted by their need to allow for multimodal transportation including buses, service vehicles, and local traffic.

Therefore, the design response reimagines the existing service laneway behind St. Charles Market as a dynamic community space that acts as a secondary anchor point in the area and supports fine-grain activity along Beechwood Avenue. Doubling the width of the laneway to 12.0-metres will provide support for varied uses and community programming while still allowing for essential service and emergency transportation functions to occur.

Targeted design interventions include a large mural that covers the ground and provides informal spaces for recreation and play, before spilling onto Beechwood Avenue, where it acts as a speed deterrent to motor vehicles. The expanded width of the laneway also provides room for the existing strip of vegetation to be expanded, thereby adding natural elements to a space dominated by hardscaping. These features come together to form a shared public space that is flexible and responsive to changing community needs.

Conceptual render of the transformed laneway. The implementation of a large mural visually activates the space and signifies a unique destination along the street, while an expanded ROW provides new space for public seating and community events, such as pop-up markets.

Conceptual render highlighting the interface between streetscape improvements and a conceptual mixed-use development at the corner of Beechwood Avenue and Marier Avenue. Note the presence of active frontages along Beechwood Avenue and step-backs above the fourth floor.

SUSSEX DRIVE WATERFRONT ACTIVATION

YEAR: 2023

CLIENT: National Capital Commission Urban Design Challenge

LOCATION: Ottawa, ON

ROLE: Project Manager, Production Editor

RESPONSIBILITIES:Precedent research, creation of site plans and elevations, 3-D modelling and rendering, final poster production

LENGTH:Two 24”x36” posters

OVERVIEW:

Organized by the National Capital Commission, the annual Urban Design Challenge is a competition in which students from across Canada come up with design concepts for sites in the National Capital Region. For the 2023 edition, my team of three urban planning graduate students put forth a proposal for the redevelopment of Ottawa’s Sussex Drive and the adjacent riverfront, with a goal of activating under-utilized lots and animating the National Capital’s waterfront.

DELIVERABLES:

The final proposal consisted of two 24”x36” posters, alongside a 500-word written statement describing the proposal’s design objectives and interventions.

The proposed Rideau Falls Skywalk on Green Island provides a unique experience for visitors.

SITE OVERVIEW

NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE

Opportunities:

• Expansive open space can be used for flexible event space that links to Green Island

• NRC building provides an interesting architectural feature and background

• Existing trail system can be expanded upon

• Direct access to the riverfront with unique viewpoint toward the Rideau Falls

Constraints:

• Much of the existing open space currently functions as a parking lot for NRC staff

• No direct pedestrian link to Lady Grey Drive due to MacDonald-Cartier Bridge

• British High Commission office occupies the south corner of the site

• Extensive use of hardscaping elements

GREEN ISLAND

Opportunities:

• Provides a panoramic view of the Ottawa River and Rideau Falls

• Old growth vegetation provides shade coverage along the river

• Existing pedestrian bridges provide good pedestrian linkages

Constraints:

• Surrounding institutional uses and geographic features limit integration with New Edinburgh and Lowertown neighbourhoods

• Complete lack of programming space or existing amenities

• Large grass field is neglected and serves no purpose

LADY GREY DRIVE

Opportunities:

• Winding, cliff-side route provides numerous views of Ottawa River and Kiweki Point to the south

• Location of Ottawa Rowing Club provides built-in activation of the shoreline

• Existing tree canopy limits noise pollution from vehicle traffic on Sussex Drive

Constraints:

• Steep elevation change from Sussex Drive to shoreline poses a challenge to development that is universally accessible

• Existing road ends abruptly in a dead end facing a surface parking lot

• Existing infrastructure is in disrepair

OTTAWA RIVER

DESIGN PROPOSAL

The urban strategy represents a series of both punctual and large-scale interventions, using an urban syntax of transitional open spaces, recreation zones and pedestrian networks. It integrates in between the existing built form and connects to the surrounding institutional land uses while creating a smooth diffusion from the outside in, and encouraging movement between the distinct foci inside the corridor system.

STRATEGIC GOALS

The comprehensive master plan for the Sussex Drive waterfront is guided by three strategic goals that shape the long-term vision of the site, and provide specific overarching objectives that provide guidance for future design interventions.

• Create a cohesive and multi-modal trail system connecting Kiweki Point to Rideau Falls Park

• Establish Sussex Drive as a complete street that prioritizes active modes of transportation

• Carve out space for Indigenous representation and educational opportunities

• Create world-class public art that reflects on Ottawa’s role as the nation’s Capital

• Catalyze activity throughout the site with specific hubs that serve unique purposes and promote cross-use

• Create exciting opportunities for event programming, including festivals and concerts

DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND INTERVENTIONS

Spontaneity:

Green Island functions as a communal living space for nearby residents, providing a large pavilion and expansive lawn for flexible event programming and festivals. During the winter, the central lawn is replaced with a public skating rink. Similarly, the Green Island Skywalk provides unparalleled views of Rideau Falls, while creating a distinct destination. With these diverse attractions, usage of the park will increase and encourage spontaneous movement from Kìwekì Point inwards.

Additionally, by reducing parking and hardscapes behind the National Research Council (NRC), additional greenspace and dedicated athletic facilities create an active recreation zone that is anchored by passive recreation to the north and south.

Identity:

By unifying the waterfront and embracing the NCC’s Big River Landscape vision, visitors are encouraged to learn about the historical significance of the site to the Anishinaabe and Algonquin peoples through educational wayfinding signs and public art features along the trail system. Similarly, event spaces will be reserved for Indigenous programming at certain times throughout the year.

This urban intervention aims to truly highlight the history and vision of the country through projection light shows in line with the Capital Illumination Plan. Multimedia projections are to illuminate the promenade and NRC building at night by showcasing the National Capital’s history as well as iconic Canadian imagery. The illumination program is to be developed in collaboration with local artists.

Reunification:

Transition and integration with surrounding land uses is at the forefront of all reunification efforts. The centrepiece of the Sussex Waterfront Corridor is the new Lady Grey Promenade which acts as a catalyzer for new users. The proposed funicular directly connects Kìwekì Point to the rest of the corridor, thereby aligning the proposal with the Capital Pathway Strategic Plan and the Capital Urban Lands Plan by ensuring consistency along the riverfront.

Similarly, a new pedestrian overpass spanning the MacDonald-Cartier Bridge ensures that all three central hubs are connected by a continuous thoroughfare along the river. The promenade steps down to the waterfront, harnessing sustainability elements by creating flexibility for seasonal flooding while also directly connecting visitors to nature.

Open Space:

A central tenet of the Sussex Waterfront Corridor is the allotment of ample open park space that functions as an invitation to the outside public realm. To accomplish this, the Sussex Waterfront is designed to function as a patchwork composition, with three central hubs that are connected by a substantial multi-modal path system.

The three central hubs function to provide a diverse range of recreational options while working in harmony to create a broader sense of place.

CIRCULATION

SUSSEX DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS

Stretching 1.5-kilometres throughout the study area, Sussex Drive acts as an important arterial road, connecting the neighbourhood of New Edinburgh to Ottawa’s downtown core. Although it is one of the city’s most important ceremonial and institutional routes, it has long prioritized vehicular traffic with minimal streetscape interventions to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. As a result, it’s existing form cuts off surrounding neighbourhoods from the waterfront and discourages pedestrian traffic.

The urban strategy reimagines Sussex Drive as a complete street, with wide sidewalks and a dedicated cycling lane that runs adjacent to the urban park system, while still accommodating four lanes of traffic. A new median protects cyclists and pedestrians from oncoming traffic, while an enhanced tree canopy fosters a welcoming environment and minimizes the urban heat island effect.

SITE DESIGN

Lady Grey Drive Promenade:

Situated on the banks of the Ottawa River, the Lady Grey Promenade acts as an anchor connecting Kìwekì Point to the rest of the Sussex Waterfront Corridor. Designed to reconnect the waterfront to the surrounding urban fabric of the city, the promenade transforms the inaccessible and rugged river banks into a dynamic and appealing public space. Design features include a bi-level promenade which imparts vistas of the Ottawa River and Gatineau’s Hull District to the west; a funicular providing direct access to and from Kìwekì Point; and ample public gathering spaces for local residents and visitors to take advantage of.

Lady Grey Promenade follows the natural curves of the shoreline, mimicking nature.
At night, the promenade is illuminated by a projection show that highlights the National Capital’s history, as well as iconic imagery of Canada.

Active Recreation Zone:

Nestled behind the National Research Council, the Active Recreation Zone reclaims former swaths of parking for sustainable landscaping and active recreation opportunities. Roughly 40% of existing parking has been retained for NRC employees and park visitors, while also providing overflow parking for events on Green Island.

Tennis courts and an outdoor gym provide opportunity for exercise, while a nature play area and sunken lawn ensure an abundance of all-ages activities.
The nature play area features natural materials including logs and climbing rocks that help children connect to the surrounding landscape.

Green Island:

Green Island has been reimagined as a central hub and public living room for residents of New Edinburgh and Lower Town. The pavilion acts as a programmable event space for pop-up markets and festivals, while the glass-bottomed Skywalk provides unparalleled views of the Rideau Falls, thereby creating a distinct identity and sense of destination for Ottawa.

Gathering pods on the south lawn provide dedicated fire pit and barbecue spaces for informal events and meet ups.
Both the pavilion and central lawn provide space for event programming, while the Rideau Falls Bridge connects directly to on-site parking for vendors.

PUBLIC SPACES, PUBLIC LIFE STUDY OF MONTREAL

YEAR: 2024

TYPE: Master’s Research Report

LOCATION: Montreal, QC

LENGTH:98 pages

OVERVIEW:

This master’s research report was submitted to the School of Urban and Regional Planning in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning.

This report examines the complex and ephemeral ways in which public life unfolds in Montréal’s urban parks, both small and large. By employing the Public Spaces, Public Life (PSPL) method of analysis first conceptualized by Jan Gehl, this research aims to highlight the various physical, social, and psychological factors that govern how people navigate through public space. The findings from this study contribute to the fields of public realm planning and urban design by expanding on prevailing research into the uses and benefits of urban parks, while also identifying recommendations to improve access to high-quality public spaces in Montréal.

The scope of the project involved a comprehensive analysis of both large urban parks and small neighbourhood squares in two contrasting boroughs. Excerpts from the chapters on methodology, analysis of two large urban parks, and recommendations are provided here.

GREYFIELD DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

YEAR: 2022

CLASS: SURP 818 - Physical Planning

LOCATION: Kingston, ON

ROLE: Site visits, mapping, transportation and circulation analysis, site design, public realm guidelines, 3-D modelling, rendering

LENGTH:54 pages

OVERVIEW:

The final assignment of this class involved an in-depth site analysis and development proposal for a greyfield site located on the southeast corner of Kingston Centre - an open air shopping plaza located in central Kingston. The project spanned two months and required multiple site visits, demographic research, mapping and site design. Our final proposal attempted to reconextualize the car-centric, low-rise shopping centre as an inclusive, dynamic and resilient mixed-use hub. Emphasis was put on active transportation and fostering a welcoming public realm that encourages lingering.

DELIVERABLES:

The completed project consisted of a 54-page proposal which included a land use, transportation and demographic analysis; alongside a conceptual design with site plans, elevations, renderings and built-form guidelines. Similarly, there was a 15-minute presentation and Q+A session.

A pedestrian mall and central plaza form the centrepiece of a reimagined Kingston Centre.

SITE ANALYSIS

The Kingston Centre was originally built as an indoor mall in 1955 but was demolished in 2004 to be rebuilt. The current centre, located in central Kingston, was designed in an “open-air campus” style. This mall contains a major public transit hub along with various commercial and institutional attractions. The immediate vicinity is filled with retail centers, parking lots, and bus platforms. Examples of stores and service centers include Canadian Tire, Rexall, CIBC, BarBurrito, and West End Medical Aesthetics.

The study area, including the Kingston Centre, is abutted by Sir John A. MacDonald Blvd, Bath Road, and Princess Street, as well as two internal streets. Princess Street acts as the north and east boundary of the study area and connects directly to downtown Kingston, roughly three kilometers to the southeast.

The surrounding neighborhoods include a mix of residential, commercial, institutional, and greenspace uses. Since 2016, the population in this area has grown by 5%. The median household after-tax income within the study area is ~$50,000, which is below the provincial median of $65,100.

PROPOSAL

The aim of this development is to recontextualize the current car-centric, low-density Kingston Centre as a vibrant, mixed-use urban village that is accessible to all residents of Kingston. Building on existing commercial space in the area, the proposed development aims to create a welcoming and accessible environment replete with all the amenities of modern urban living.

Kingston currently lacks a variety of dense, walkable neighbourhoods outside of the downtown core, and while Kingston Centre offers a plethora of retail options, it is limited by an over-reliance on private forms of transportation and a physical environment that is hostile to pedestrians and cyclists. This development attempts to address these issues by creating a pedestrian-oriented public realm and human-scaled built form, alongside a variety of housing options mixed into the site. By emphasizing a public space that caters to a 24/7, 365 mentality, Kingston Centre can transition into a 21st century urban hub.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN USES:

1. CENTRAL PLAZA

2. PEDESTRIAN MALL

3. MIXED USE APARTMENTS

4. MIXED USE APARTMENTS + DAYCARE

5. MIXED USE AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS

6. MIXED USE APARTMENTS + OFFICE

7. RETAINED PARKING LOT

8. BUS TRANSFER POINT

9. SUPERMARKET

10. SHOPPING PLAZA

DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES:

1. This development aims to be transit-oriented, capitalizing on its location adjacent to the Kingston Centre Bus Transfer Point, while limiting on-site parking to 90 spots primarily for residents and those with reduced mobility.

2. Cycling is to be encouraged throughout the site, with ample bicycle storage located on site.

3. There should be a dynamic mix of uses, with an emphasis on residential, retail, and limited office space – fostering a 15-minute neighbourhood where all amenities and services are easily accessible.

4. There is to be a mix of housing options, with 25% of all units being deemed affordable.

5. The public realm is to be pedestrian-oriented, with a pedestrian mall running through the site and connecting the bus transfer point directly to the central plaza.

6. The pedestrian mall should have ground-floor retail facing it on both sides.

7. The central plaza should be surrounded by ground floor commercial, with an emphasis on restaurants and bars to attract crowds and encourage them to stay.

8. The public realm must be attractive and accessible to people of all ages and abilities: ample public seating is to be provided, alongside a seasonal splash pad and event programming.

9. Sidewalk patios should be encouraged for all restaurants, cafes, and bars; during the winter, patios should be protected from the elements with covers and heaters where possible.

Active frontages along the internal street network promote a public realm that is dynamic and spontaneous.
An aerial view of the proposed development

NORTH KINGSTOWN SECONDARY PLAN

YEAR: 2022

CLASS: SURP 848 - Community Design

LOCATION: Kingston, ON

ROLE: Site visits, land use and circulation analysis, public realm and design policy guidelines, conceptual design, 3-D modelling, rendering

LENGTH:68 pages

OVERVIEW:

Acting as the term project for my community design class, this project consisted of a team-based analysis of the existing North Kingstown Secondary Plan combined with a design proposal for future development in a chosen sub-area. My role consisted of conducting site visits, document analysis, writing the proposed public realm and design guidelines, creating all maps, modelling building massings, and creating final rendered mockups for the proposal. Other group members were responsible for initial mapping, sketching, additional document analysis and the remaining sections of the final report.

DELIVERABLES:

The final proposal consisted of a 68-page document including detailed chapters on site context and overview, guiding design principles, precedent, conceptual overview, block pattern and circulation, active transportation, land use designations, built-form design guidelines, and public realm guidelines. Similarly, a 45-minute presentation and Q+A took place in front of a panel of urban design professors and visiting planners from the city.

SITE ANALYSIS

Located approximately 1.5-kilometres from downtown Kingston in the Inner Harbour neighbourhood, the study area is 11.7ha in size, and currently comprises four separate blocks between Russell Street and Railway Street. Running through the middle of the site, Montreal Street is a major corridor that directly connects Inner Harbour and downtown Kingston to the south.

The western portion is mainly comprised of vacant brownfield sites with Kingston Home Base Housing to the south and the former Depot School to the north. The east side of Montreal Street contains various low-density commercial businesses and light industrial to the north while institutional uses and non-profit organizations lie to the south of the study area.

Existing auto-related businesses are zoned for ‘light industrial’ uses. As these businesses are popular and regularly frequented by car owners throughout the city who need mechanical services, any future development will integrate these needed services. Similarly, non-profit organizations and institutions present in the sub-area fill an important underserved need in the community and should be supported through complementary future development, such as affordable housing and new employment opportunities.

Median Income in Dissemination Area v. Kingston CMA (2020)

OPPORTUNITIES

» Vacant and/or abandoned lots provide ample opportunity for redevelopment into community spaces

» Existing (yet disconnected) restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, and corner stores along Montreal St

CONSTRAINTS

» Many existing uses are inflexible with few public spaces

» Challenge to blend the reintroduction of commercial uses with the current low-density residential and industrial uses

» Existing circulation is poor, with limited street connections along Montreal Street

CIRCULATION

PROPOSAL

PROPOSED LAND USE

MIXED USE (MAX 5 STOREYS)

HIGH DENSITY RES (MAX 5 STOREYS)

MEDIUM DENSITY RES (MAX 3 STOREYS)

COMMUNITY CENTRE

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

GUIDING DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Create a welcoming and inclusive setting for people to gather, play, work, and live.

Cluster new development to create hubs of activity and investment, and a compact, walkable, built form.

Diversify the economic and employment base and enhance customer access to businesses.

Implement sustainable and resilient plants, technologies, and design approaches.

LEGEND

1. MAIN STREET COMMERCIAL

2. MIXED-INCOME APARTMENTS

3. TOWNHOMES/DUPLEXES

4. INNER HARBOUR COMMUNITY CENTRE
5. EXISTING NON-PROFIT HOUSING
6. INTERNAL COMMERCIAL ALLEY
7. INNER HARBOUR PARK
8. GREEN ALLEY + COMMUNITY GARDEN
9. CORNER PLAZA AND PLAY SPACE

DESIGN INTERVENTIONS

Improved connections along Duff and Fraser Street reconnect the neighbourhood to Montreal Street and increase circulation, while interior setback requirements between larger buildings create a permeable street grid.

Mix of uses and densities ensure that the built and offer diverse activities. High density mixed Street corridor create a centre of gravity for the and townhouses on side streets allow for a surrounding the study area.

built form and public realm are both engaging mixed use commercial spaces along the Montreal the neighbourhood, while dedicated apartments gradual transition into the residential areas

Open spaces such as Inner Harbour Park ensure there are common shared spaces in the neighbourhood for recreational uses, while green alleys and third places, like the Inner Harbour Community Centre foster a sense of place for a neighbourhood that is currently dominated by disconnected and underutilized land uses.

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