Capital Illumination Plan

The 10-year illumination plan aims to enrich the nighttime environment in the heart of the Capital, as well as the experience it provides for visitors. Implementation of the final plan will start this year for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

What is a lighting master plan?

A lighting master plan enhances the beauty, safety and enjoyment of a city after dark, and shapes the identity of a place. It includes recommendations related to the following.

  • Urban environment: Access and wayfinding for public spaces, public safety and comfort, and the protection of natural areas
  • Artistic lighting: The creation of ambiances, specialty lighting, colour temperature and temporary light installations
  • Energy savings: The management of investment costs, programming for energy savings and the maintenance of lighting infrastructure
  • Natural environment: The reduction of light pollution, night biotope protection, environmental footprint of the global lighting system and recycling sources

Our vision for illumination in the Capital

Our lighting master plan will aim to achieve the following:

  • Enhance the Capital’s nighttime beauty and visitor experience.
  • Promote the use of light-based technologies to reduce energy use and foster sustainability.
  • Support existing planning, heritage conservation and urban design strategies.
  • Highlight buildings, monuments, streets and public spaces that have unique architectural attributes, and de-emphasize some buildings and structures that may be over-lit.
  • Coordinate building and street lighting to improve urban nightscapes.
  • Guide stakeholders in designing and implementing illumination.
Capital Illumination Plan: Night Walks

Capital Illumination Plan: Night Walks

The Capital Illumination Plan will establish a compelling and cohesive illumination and lighting vision for the core of the Capital over the next 10 years. The night walks activity is part of the 2nd phase of the development of the Plan.

Launch the Interactive Map

Our project team

Our partners

  • Federal partners: Parks Canada, Canadian Heritage, Public Services and Procurement Canada
  • National cultural institutions: National Arts Centre, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History
  • Municipal partners: City of Ottawa, Ville de Gatineau
  • Private sector: Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
  • Energy distribution agencies: Hydro Ottawa
  • General public and interest groups: Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict, Safe Wings Ottawa

Public engagement

We have engaged stakeholders and the public to gather feedback on the lighting master plan.

  • 2014: We introduced residents to the elements of creating a meaningful and successful lighting master plan for cities.
  • 2015: We invited stakeholders in March to take part in the Capital Illumination Workshop to discuss the objectives of the illumination plan for the core area of the Capital, and identify specific sites that should be illuminated. See the public consultation report.
  • 2016: As the nighttime environment is best understood and examined on foot and in person, we asked the public for their thoughts and ideas during a series of night walks.

We will use the ideas and comments gathered during these consultations to develop a draft concept for the plan.

Stay tuned for upcoming consultations on the draft illumination plan in 2017.

Join the conversation

Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with #CapitalIllumination.