Ottawa’s New Transportation Master Plan Sets 20-Year Planning Priorities

Canada’s capital city recently completed the first step toward adopting a new Transportation Master Plan.

1 minute read

May 2, 2023, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ottawa

SF photo / Shutterstock

Canada’s capital city of Ottawa recently approved a new Transportation Master Plan (TMP), setting ambitious goals to improve transportation’s role in growth, climate change, mobility technology, traffic safety, and affordability over the next two decades.

According to an April 26 press release posted on the city’s website, the Ottawa City Council vote approved step one in the TMP process, adopting new policies to guide the city’s planning decisions. Step two will require a capital infrastructure plan that identifies transit and road projects.

A “Highlights” document available online provides additional details about the policies approved by step one. Among the strategies listed in the document to meet the needs of a growing city are coordinating land use and transportation planning, cooperating with other cities and governments in the region, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

The most recent news story on step one of the TMP, written by Laura Glowacki for CBC News, focuses on the TMP’s intentions to close gaps in the city’s bike infrastructure network.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in City of Ottawa

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

5 hours ago - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

6 hours ago - The Kansas City Star

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine