Ottawa: Reducing Sprawl At The Cost Of Housing?

Housing consistency in Ottawa may be shattered by new legislation.

1 minute read

December 20, 2003, 11:00 AM PST

Legislators in Ottawa, Ontario Canada are poised to enact "legislation that will ban Ontario Municipal Board appeals on urban expansions". Though this will effectively reduce sprawl by focusing more development in currently developed areas, it could "fragment urban planning and increase housing prices across the province as individual towns and cities chart their own courses," according to John Herbert, Ottawa-Carleton Home Builders Association Vice President. He continues to explain, "It's a bad law in the sense that it is going to increase the cost of housing to consumers and it is going to fragment planning and land development in the province." The OMB has been known to make "pro developer decisions," but keeps a high level of consistency and quality in current Ottawa housing. Reducing the power of the OMB will give legislators more control over development.

Thanks to Adam Weiss

FULL STORY: Builders criticize OMB reform

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 in The Ottawa Citizen

Land Use Ontario

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

Learn More

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.