By Toon Dreessen – Architects DCA
Ottawa aspires to be one of the best livable mid-sized cities in North America. A key part of this vision includes vibrant traditional main streets supporting both speciality and everyday items: think of a butcher, bagel shop or bakery that are within a short walk. Add a pharmacy and services such as dentists, doctors and accountants, and you have a complete community.
COVID-19 is putting many of these small businesses under significant pressure. Even as the economy reopens, merchants are facing difficult questions. How do stores protect their staff, but still let people in to browse, try on clothing or do their grocery shopping? How do they create an enticing experience when many of their customers are leery of leaving the house and are growing accustomed to online shopping?
Some merchants, and their local business improvement associations, believe the key is parking. Granted, some residents currently have fears around using public transit. But the answer isn’t to have more people driving. That is dangerous thinking for a post-COVID world.
We need more people walking and biking, being healthy and safe, to both aid our economic recovery and continue making our city more liveable. More bikeable and walkable communities create better economic growth for businesses.
One of the keys to business growth is ensuring a steady supply of customers. What better way to do that than to build more housing close to them?