URBAN
IMAGINARIES
OTTAWA
First Edition

"Urban Imaginaries Ottawa" is an art-design and research project that prompts reflections on what our city presently is while exploring some possibilities of what it could be in the future. A prominent theme guiding all its activities is the idea of the city as a space to be sensed: a geography to be seen, heard, and even smelled.

A series of activities, alongside the local community, took place to explore, counter-map, and reimagine the city. Among them, there were: soundwalks, urban walks, critical mapping sessions, creative workshops, and radio show episodes.

The first edition took place from February to May 2022 in partnership with Arlington 5.

Re-Imagining the City in 9 Acts

The First Edition consisted of 9 acts to re-imagine the city. Click on the circles below to learn more about each act.

Cards to prompt reflections on the city

A series of cards were designed and distributed around the Centretown neighbourhood to prompt reflections on the different ways people experience a city and imagine a city. Some prompts included: I would like Ottawa to be…, Ottawa in 3 words, When I listen to the city I hear…, My favourite place in Ottawa and why.

  • The Cards

  • The Jar and #urbanimaginaries

  • I would like Ottawa to be...

  • Ottawa In 3 Words

  • Ottawa In 1 Sentence...

  • My Favorite Place In Ottawa and Why...

  • In my mind's ear, Ottawa sounds like...

  • When I listen to the city I hear...

Resources

A map of the process outcome was designed and is now available for download, whether as results of the project or as a blank template for running your own workshops.

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