Understanding the urban landscape.
Welcome to Spacing Ottawa, a daily blog about urban life in Canada’s capital city. Ottawa is one of Canada’s most fascinating urban centres because of its people, geography, and political history. The city is home to a dynamic public realm thanks to its national significance, but it still faces many challenges.
Like our sister blogs Spacing Toronto, Spacing Montreal, and Spacing Atlantic, Spacing Ottawa examines the state of public spaces, mass transit, cycling, city hall, neighbourhood planning, community development, urban design, green spaces, public art and countless other themes that continue to play a role in shaping our cities. We profile the city builders who shape our cities and the reveal the small details that make this city both unique and frustrating.
Spacing Ottawa welcomes your feedback and any inquiries you may have. Email us at spacingottawa@spacing.ca.
EDITOR:
Evan Thornton [ evanthornton@spacing.ca ]
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Matthew Blackett
SENIOR EDITORS: Shawn Micallef, Dylan Reid
MANAGING EDITOR: Todd Harrison
photo by Sam Javanrouh
About Spacing
Spacing Ottawa is published by Spacing, one of the most distinctive voices in magazine publishing to appear on Canadian newsstands in years. The magazine uncovers the joys, obstacles and politics of Toronto’s urban landscape by cutting through the cynicism that often pervades any discussion about urban issues. Spacing pushes readers to think critically about how they can shape the public spaces that surround their everyday lives.
Spacing was launched in the fall of 2003 by a group of young journalists and public space advocates who felt that Toronto needed a publication that would bring together a number of key urban issues that were not being discussed by the local media. Topics like active transportation, public transit, public art, community planning and sustainable development were brought together under one umbrella to create a forum for residents and the urban curious to discuss and debate.
In 2005, Spacing began publishing a daily blog in Toronto which was quickly joined by the launch of the Spacing Montreal blog. In October 2009, Spacing Atlantic — which publishes from numerous east coast cities — was launched. Spacing Ottawa joined the network in November 2009, while Spacing Vancouver is set to launch in early 2010.
Spacing also produces Spacing Radio, a bi-weekly podcast, hosted by CBC Radio news anchor David Michael Lamb.
A FEW OTHER THINGS: Spacing was named Small Magazine of the Year in 2007, 2008, and 2009 by the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Matthew Blackett and Dale Duncan were name Editors of the Year in 2007 and 2008 by the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Spacing has been nominated for seven National Magazine Awards and captured two for Best Editorial Package in 2006 and 2008. Spacing was also one of three finalists nominated for Magazine of the Year in 2009 at the National Magazine Awards. Spacing’s blogs in Toronto and Montreal have also won numerous awards.