Getting Out into the Community: The Value of Pop-Up Roadshows

As work continues on Ottawa’s next Municipal Culture Plan, pop-up roadshows have played an important role in helping the project team connect directly with residents across the city. By bringing engagement opportunities into communities, the team has been able to hear from a wide range of people about their experiences, ideas, and aspirations for Ottawa’s cultural future.

The roadshows reached communities in all 24 wards, connecting with residents in urban, suburban, and rural areas. From downtown public spaces and community events to neighbourhood hubs in Barrhaven and Orléans, and gathering places in communities such as Carp, Metcalfe, and Osgoode, each stop created opportunities for meaningful conversations about culture in Ottawa.

These informal, face-to-face discussions helped make engagement more accessible and welcoming. Rather than asking residents to come to City-led consultations, the project team met people where they already gather, making it easier for more voices to be heard. Participants shared what culture means to them, what makes their communities unique, and what they would like to see supported in the future.

The feedback gathered through these roadshows is helping shape the next phase of work on Ottawa’s Municipal Culture Plan. By connecting with residents in every part of the city, the project team is building a broader understanding of the needs, strengths, and opportunities that exist across Ottawa’s diverse communities.