How a Cartoon Enabled Meaningful Parking Reform in Ottawa

Want parking reform without tears?

1 minute read

September 18, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

"It helps to have a cartoonist in the city planning department."

That, according to an article by Laura Bliss, is "one of the lessons that Ottawa’s Urban Design Branch learned after city planner Tim Moerman crafted a sweetly goofy animation on that driest of urban topics: minimum parking requirements."

Moerman created the cartoon in support of an effort to educate the public before the city considered reductions in parking minimums. Moerman even sent a post to Planetizen to describe his work, and Eric Jaffe wrote about the cartoon for CityLab.

Since then the city of Ottawa has managed to pass new zoning by-laws that reform the city's parking requirements, "with no opposition at the final public hearings." Moreover, reports Bliss, "New parking-free projects are already coming through the door."

FULL STORY: Parking Reform Cartoon Scores Most Canadian Victory Ever

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 in CityLab

Land Use Transportation Ontario Ottawa Parking Parking Minimums Planning Community Engagement Cartoons Car Parking Zoning View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.