Jacobs 101: An introduction to the ideas of Jane Jacobs

This walk will introduce the ideas of Jane Jacobs, using Ottawa landmarks and neighbourhoods to illustrate the ideas detailed in her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities. We'll explore the roles of sidewalks, parks, zoning regulations, and more on our way from the ByWard Market to Parliament Hill. 

Location
Route

We will meet in the ByWard Market at the southwest corner of Dalhousie and George Sts. From there, we will walk generally west through the Market to Major's Hill Park, turning south to the Senate of Canada Building, formerly the Government Conference Centre (and originally, Ottawa's central railway station), and then west along Wellington St to Parliament Hill, where the walk ends.


Note that the planned route will take us up and down the York Steps (the stairs connecting Sussex St and Mackenzie Ave.). 


About the walk leader

Matt Bufton is the Executive Director of the Institute for Liberal Studies, a non-partisan educational not-for-profit based in Ottawa. Matt became interested in Jane Jacobs through conversations with his wife Janet, as well as with economist Sandy Ikeda and geographer Pierre Desrochers.

Guide:

Matt Bufton

When:
Date:Sun May 5, 2024
Time:10:00 AM
Duration: 1 hour 15 min
Language: English
Where:
Start:SW corner, Dalhousie & George Sts
End:Parliament Hill
Area:ByWard Market/Parliament Hill
Distance:2.0 kms
Accessibility:

 The route will take the group up the York Steps. 

Gallery
The York Street Steps run between Sussex Dr. and Mackenzie Ave., linking the ByWard Market and Major's Hill Park. Night life in the ByWard Market.  Photo courtesy of the Canadian Trade Commission. The former Union Station (and later the Government of Canada Conference Centre) will serve for the next few years as the Senate of Canada. Starting point for the Jane Jacobs 101 walk.
Volunteer to Marshal This Walk