The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is delighted that the Ottawa 2017 Bureau and the City of Ottawa have decided to adopt the RAIC?s proposal to reclaim public space on York Street. Thanks to an innovative pairing of ideas ? RAIC?s idea to re-imagine the space and Ottawa 2017?s concept for Inspiration Village ? it will become an important event space for Canada?s 150th celebrations from May to September in 2017.
Ottawa 2017 has announced that Inspiration Village, a hub for special exhibits and performances, will be located on a section of York Street, between Sussex Drive and ByWard Market Square, in the ByWard Market.
?This will give Ottawans an opportunity to try out the idea of having a large, urban square in a central location, something we all enjoy when we visit other great cities,? says RAIC President Allan Teramura, FRAIC. ?Because it?s full of parked cars now, we tend not to notice many of the space?s interesting and unique features, such as the axial view of the Parliament Buildings, and the monumental staircase at the western end,? says Teramura.
Teramura notes that the proportions of that section of York Street are similar to Rome?s Piazza Navona, one of the world?s most celebrated urban spaces.
?The proportions of the space are ideal,? he says.  ?Its relative narrowness means the centre is not too far from the facades, giving it a sense of enclosure, while its extreme length means several events could be happening at the same time without int...