Resilient buildings, transportation, water systems
The City manages approximately $70 billion worth of infrastructure such as roads and pathways, buildings, transit systems, drinking water treatment and sewer systems. This infrastructure is essential to the function and livability of Ottawa.
Buildings
Most existing buildings in Ottawa were not designed for our future climate conditions. The health impacts of extreme heat are a particular challenge when buildings lack air conditioning. Buildings will need to be designed and adapted so that they remain habitable during heatwaves and resilient to other climate hazards such as high winds, flooding or power outages. Action is needed for both publicly and privately-owned buildings, especially for buildings that support low income and at-risk populations who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Transportation
Extreme heat, intense rainfall, freezing rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and extreme weather events all have the potential to damage and disrupt our walking, cycling, transit and road networks. These events increase costs for maintenance, repairs and rebuilding. There are also broader social and economic impacts from health and safety risks, delays, lost productivity and accessibility.
Water, wastewater and stormwater
Ottawa’s water-related infrastructure provides critical drinking water, wastewater, drainage and stormwater management services. Climate change will impact the services this infrastructure provides. For example, stormwater and drainage systems can be overwhelmed by the increased amount and intensity of rainfall, and drinking water and wastewater systems can be at risk during power outages.
We need to improve the resiliency of the transportation network, buildings and water, wastewater and stormwater systems so they can continue to provide services in future climate conditions. The City can also play a role in supporting individuals to prepare and protect private buildings from the impacts of climate change. Trees, rain gardens and porous and reflective surfaces such as cool or green roofs can also help to reduce the impacts related to increased rainfall and extreme heat.
Key actions proposed to build the resilience of buildings and infrastructure
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Protect critical infrastructure from our changing climate including, but not limited to:
- Flood protection at water treatment plants
- Back-up power at wastewater treatment plant and pump stations
- Adapt the LRT and buses to operate in extreme heat, ice and power outages.
- Build new City-owned buildings and infrastructure to withstand future climate conditions by updating design standards and integrating measures into the Corporate Green Building Policy.
- Monitor, maintain and renew existing City buildings and infrastructure to address the highest risks and update Asset Management Plans and Long-Range Financial Plans for increased long-term operating and renewal costs.
- Encourage new privately-owned buildings and communities to be designed and constructed to withstand future climate conditions by integrating measures in Community Design Plans and secondary plans, planning guidelines and the High Performance Development Standard.
- Prepare for increased rainfall and runoff through the Wet Weather Plan, updated stormwater management requirements for new development and adapting older neighbourhoods. Use nature-based solutions where suitable.
- Support building owners to become more resilient through education, outreach and incentive programs such as the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program and the Better Buildings Ottawa Program.
- Work with partners and other levels of government to support social and low-income housing to become more resilient.
- Improve the comfort and safety of Ottawans by providing shade, shelter and access to water on sidewalks, bike paths and transit stops.
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