"PUBLIC" SPACE

Do you feel like you belong here?

Experience first-hand the blurry boundaries between public and private space as we walk over, under, and through some of Ottawa's most prominent landmarks. See your city from a new perspective – literally and figuratively – from places you’ve never noticed before or have walked by a hundred times. As we attempt to access these places and spaces – some of which are publicly-accessible, some that are behind nondescript doors, and some that are hidden in plain sight – what will we come across? Locked doors and security guards? Comfy seating and free wi-fi? An empty dead space or a lively gathering place? We’ll get a chance to ask ourselves: Do we feel like we are allowed to be here? To do what and for how long? Who gets to set and enforce the rules? What is it about the design that makes us feel comfortable or unwelcome? And would other people of different ages and cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds feel the same way? The tour will take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on how quickly we walk and whether or not we decide to enjoy post-walk refreshments at a ‘pseudo-public’ cafe with a killer view! There will be lots of opportunities for washroom breaks or to sit and rest. The route is wheelchair accessible, but as we will be going in and out of many different buildings, we cannot guarantee that all washrooms will be accessible or that all elevators will be operational.