As members of the Centre for Urban Research and Education (CURE) network, we have been helping to provide research and evaluation support to the City of Ottawa’s pilot Neighbourhood Planning Initiative (NPI) process. With funding from Infrastructure Canada, we have been researching models and successful practices in neighbourhood planning, community engagement, multi-sector initiatives, and horizontality.

NPI was approved by City of Ottawa Council in May 2006 as a new process designed to improve the way the City plans and (re)develops neighbourhoods across the City by implementing cross-departmental planning of significant capital and operating projects in neighbourhoods across the City. It focuses on fostering collaboration between all City departments, residents and community stakeholders, and enhancing the social, economic and physical infrastructure of local neighbourhoods based on local needs, priorities, and vision. Currently being piloted in Hintonburg and in Vars, this initiative aims to provide the City of Ottawa with a new approach to neighbourhood planning and consultation.