Building a World-Class Capital

Since its creation over a century ago, the NCC has been working on behalf of Canadians to make Ottawa a world-class capital that instills pride in residents from across the country.

One key component of the new vision for LeBreton Flats is to reclaim one of the last and most beautiful waterfront sites in Canada’s Capital. To this end, the NCC will revitalize the Flats with a complementary mix of residential, commercial and institutional developments using design guidelines to ensure consistent quality and community-based functionality.

On- and off-street pedestrian and bicycle routes, coupled with convenient access to the Transitway, will make this new community an area where people can comfortably live, work, learn and play. It will be an extension of the Capital’s core, while retaining its charm as a welcoming and dynamic neighbourhood.

The predominant features of the revitalization project will be within view of the Ottawa River. The new Canadian War Museum and the adjacent park, on the northern edge of LeBreton Flats, will draw Canadians back to the shores and waterway… where the history of our Capital began.

Construction of this new, two-story, 40,000-square-metre building began in November 2002 and it opened May 7, 2005.

NCC planners have designed a broad open space to hold 20,000 to 40,000 people in the heart of the development. The LeBreton Festival Site will serve as both a festival plaza and a place where people can relax and enjoy views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.

The NCC has produced two macro-level studies on infrastructure and transportation based on a site density of about 2,500 residential units (including affordable housing at various income levels), 158,000 square metres of office space, 12,000 square metres of retail and service space and 56,000 square metres of cultural/institutional space that the City of Ottawa has reviewed and accepted.

Municipal zoning and the NCC’s design and development guidelines will support about 4,000 to 4,500 residential units, between 80,000 and 90,000 square metres of office space and 20,000 square metres of retail space. 

An Eye to the Future

The NCC has the opportunity to restore and refresh the central area of Canada’s Capital, creating a sustainable development that will be able to grow within a planned framework. Pedestrian comfort and convenience will be key, with green space, pathways and national symbols as a magnificent backdrop.

Sustainable technologies are currently being employed at LeBreton Flats. For instance, the Canadian War Museum uses extensive sod (“green” roofing), which will improve outside air quality, provide insulation for the building and reduce energy consumption and noise. The museum will use river water to cool the building, and the NCC will use the cooling water discharge to irrigate landscaped public areas.

The NCC has prepared guidelines for sustainable development in the mixed-use residential/office area south of LeBreton Boulevard; the minimum acceptable standard will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system) Canada Silver for both office and residential occupancies. These guidelines include:

• storm water management to reduce sediment discharge and to control erosion by promoting infiltration and the construction of storm water retention ponds
• water conservation through restrictive flow devices
• the use of energy-code requirements in building design
• the use of resource-efficient materials for construction
• mandatory waste recycling
• the creation of healthy indoor air quality through appropriate construction materials

Narrower streets, wider landscaped sidewalks, weather protection along retail frontages and seating for pedestrians will be some of the principal features of the new community. All new commercial/residential development will be geared to human scale, and street-level activity will be the focus.

Connections to the Aqueduct, the river, islands to the north, nearby communities and the central core will make it simple and convenient to walk, cycle or take public transit. Variety in housing (i.e., types, sizes and prices) will create a unique, socially diverse neighbourhood that will evolve into a dynamic and vital community.