FLEXIBILITY | ADAPTING TO THE CHANGE IN UNIT TYPES
flex·i·ble [flek-suh-buhl] adjective 1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent: a flexible ruler. 2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable: a flexible schedule.
HOUSING | A FUNDAMENTAL NEED
Houding is fundamental to the economic, social and physical well-being of Ottawa’s residents and communities. Housing is a basic need, and it the central place from which we build our lives, nuture ourselves and out children and engage in our communities. City Housing Strategy 2007-2012.
...housing is the fundmental building block of healthy, inclusive, sustainable communities. Social and economic development is strongly related to how well our housing stoch supports the range of needs and choices we have as residents of a city. Our individual and societal impact on the environment is directly related to how, where and for whom we build housing. City Housing Strategy 2007-2012.
GROWTH PROJECTIONS: POPULATION, HOUSEHOLDS, JOBS
The city of Ottawa would require an additional 146,000 households and 173,000 jobs to by 2031 based on this projection. Increasing population requires more residential development as well as commercial infrastructure to accomidate more jobs. Possibly resulting in smaller unit types.
Residential Land Strategy for Ottawa 2006-2031
HOUSING | FLEXIBILITY OF TYPES...
...BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: > Housing choices of an aging population > Housing choices of an older population with increasing disabilities > Housing choices of households of decreasing size > Housing choices of immigrants > The appeal of urban lifestyle > Increasing cost of, and challenges to finance municipal infrastructure construction and maintenance > Increasing cost of energy
SCENARIO 1
No expansion of the current urban boundary and the achievement of a higher intensification target. Anticipates the most significant shift in people’s housing preferences - gradual transition towrds apartment buildings and away from single-detached homes.
SCENARIO 2
Expansion of the current urban boundary and the achievement of a 40% intensification target. A shift in people’s housing preferences - gradual transition towrds multi-family dwellings.
SCENARIO 3
Expansion of the current urban boundary and the achievement of a 40% intensification target. Anticipates a quicker shift in people’s housing preferences than in scenario 1 - gradual transition towrds apartment buildings happens faster resulting in taking share away from townhouses and detached homes. Residential Land Strategy for Ottawa 2006-2031
HOUSING | GROWTH OF FLEXIBILITY FOR DWELLING TYPES
The transition from the types of dwellings which is inhabited by one family moves from single uniits towards muli-family units such as semi detached and apartment buildings. This transition is due to such factors as the growth of the popuation, the economy, land space, social living standards, etc.
ONE HOUSEHOLD
HOUSING | GROWTH OF FLEXIBILITY FOR LAND USAGE
“GROW IN, NOT OUT” In order to “grow in, not out” the types of residential developments must make a transition towards verticle development. This would mean that there would be a transition from the single family home towards apartment and condo living. As the units continue to grow verticle, the scale of each individual unit would continue to grow smaller. Eventually, the growth inwards would need to expand out into the vacant land. This expansion would inhabit similar development strategies of vertical growth and smaller units. The inhabitants of the city need to adapt to this lifestyle as the population continues to grow. The dwelling types become the layer of flexibility in the growth of the population.
The flexibility of the unit type allows for more land for future growth.
Residential Land Strategy for Ottawa 2006-2031