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A Window on Ottawa 20/20 |
Section 2 : What do the Plans say?
2.1 A Caring and Inclusive City
- Promote diversity and inclusion - The plans respond to the changing needs of an increasingly cosmopolitan city, e.g., by allocating resources to services that address the needs of newcomers and immigrants, implementing Ottawa Police Services strategies to work with diverse communities; and developing community infrastructure that is sensitive to the needs of the disabled community (HSP). The AHP encourages participation in heritage and art programs by the city's entire population, including new immigrants and special needs populations. That Plan also identifies initiatives the City and its community partners can undertake to foster diverse and creative community activity.
- Protect local identities - The HSP identifies strategies to help strengthen urban and rural communities. The OP takes steps to protect rural communities and their distinct economic activities and lifestyles from urban encroachment. The AHP offers many strategies aimed at preserving local identities.
- Engage citizens - The Ottawa 20/20 plans encourage citizens to fully participate in the life of their communities. The AHP fosters the engagement of volunteers in its heritage preservation and interpretation activities, and aims to strengthen and encourage lifelong learning in the arts. The HSP reinforces the Ottawa Police Services commitment to community policing and finding creative solutions to problems that arise in neighbourhoods, e.g., by working in cooperation with neighbourhoods to reduce crime and victimization. The OP includes a number of mechanisms, such as Community Design Plans, for engaging citizens in influencing the destiny of their communities.
- Ensure access to basics - The HSP provides for a wide range of services and programs that will furnish citizens with opportunities for participation, physical activity, self-expression and lifelong learning. Poverty reduction will be addressed through an improved supply of affordable housing, income security, crisis and emergency intervention and essential health and social supports. The ES and the Talent Plan promote local job creation and participation in the workforce. The Affordable Housing Strategy addresses the key issues of increasing the supply of affordable housing and maintaining and protecting the existing affordable housing stock. The OP provides for greater access to public greenspaces and more options for outdoor leisure and recreational activities. By increasing the emphasis on transit, the Transportation Master Plan and the OP will improve access to products and services for all Ottawans, including those who do not drive.
- Enhance personal safety and security - Individuals and families reach their full potential when they feel safe in their own homes, workplaces and neighbourhoods. High-quality police, fire, paramedic, by-law, and emergency preparedness services will ensure basic safety through quick response, good planning, creative problem-solving and community outreach. The integration and coordination of previously segregated services will deliver a higher quality of programming, increase the likelihood of successful achievement of objectives, improve access to services for all citizens, and maximize the efficient use of resources (HSP).
Next: Section 2 : 2.2 A Creative City Rich in Heritage, Unique in Identity
Back to: Ottawa 20/20 Wrapup Report: A Window on Ottawa 20/20
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