CASE STUDY

Research by: Samantha Miller

Edited by: Nicole Brekelmans

Case study compiled in 2019

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Project: Lansdowne Park

Type of Urban Strategy: Water, Smart Cities

Type of Project: Civic Plaza / Park

Location: Ottawa, Ontario 

Date Designed/Planned: 2010

Construction Completed: 2015

Designer: PFS Studio

 

Lansdowne Park is the site of a historical exhibition, sports and entertainment ground which was initially developed as an agricultural fairground in the mid-1800s. The site was continually used for over 100 years, until it was very run-down and no longer celebrated. It was the location of many historical events for Canada, such as the demonstration of the first telephone and the first electric oven. Since then, the redevelopment project included site infrastructure changes and beautification. The redevelopment included constructing a mixed-use area for retail, office, and residential property, a refurbishment Frank Clair Stadium/Civic Centre and Horticulture building, and the creation of a large urban park (City of Ottawa, 2015). The new park was intended to restore the enjoyment of the space, and celebrate the history of the area. The location of the park along the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of the Rideau Canal makes it a water case study. This case is another excellent example of a project that takes advantage of its geographical location and proximity to water, celebrating the history of the Canal and bringing visitors and residents closer to water. Although many things changed about the site during its redevelopment, a few of the original buildings remain and have been refurbished for new uses, which ensures that the project doesn’t lose sight of its history. This project also exemplifies a great adaptation and harmony of the old and the new. The historical redevelopment also makes it a smart cities case study because it embodies the components of smart living and smart economies.