Derrick Simpson
@derricksimpson.bsky.social
Transportation and Board Chair, Centretown Community Association | Carleton Journalism Grad | Ottawa Urbanism Book Club | Board @strongtownsottawa.bsky.social| Substack: Improving Ottawa
The musical acrobatics event in the Byward market last night was a great example of the potential of our neighbourhoods when we pedestrianize streets and prioritize people.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
October 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The musical acrobatics event in the Byward market last night was a great example of the potential of our neighbourhoods when we pedestrianize streets and prioritize people.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
The LRT being closed for maintenance on Panda Game weekend is such a confusing and poor decision.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
October 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The LRT being closed for maintenance on Panda Game weekend is such a confusing and poor decision.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
September 30, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
Ahead of tonight’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, here’s my favourite quote from Strong Towns.
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
September 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Ahead of tonight’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, here’s my favourite quote from Strong Towns.
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
The Centretown Community Association has sent a letter to @arieltroster.com supporting a ban on right turns on red in Centretown.
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
September 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The Centretown Community Association has sent a letter to @arieltroster.com supporting a ban on right turns on red in Centretown.
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
The Berczy Park Dog Fountain in Toronto is a great example of a small improvement leading to big benefits.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
September 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The Berczy Park Dog Fountain in Toronto is a great example of a small improvement leading to big benefits.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
Reliability is the biggest issue, but we don’t talk enough about how unenjoyable OC Transpo can be sometimes.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
August 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reliability is the biggest issue, but we don’t talk enough about how unenjoyable OC Transpo can be sometimes.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
An underrated place in Toronto that impressed me was the North York Central Library.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
August 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
An underrated place in Toronto that impressed me was the North York Central Library.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the @strongtownsottawa.ca meetup this weekend at one of the the Uncommon Event Spaces.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
August 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Thanks to everyone who came out to the @strongtownsottawa.ca meetup this weekend at one of the the Uncommon Event Spaces.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
Finally visited the nicest looking library in Canada, the Toronto Reference Library.
My photos don’t do it justice.
My photos don’t do it justice.
August 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Finally visited the nicest looking library in Canada, the Toronto Reference Library.
My photos don’t do it justice.
My photos don’t do it justice.
I will never understand why Via Rail makes you arrive so early and line up to take the train.
In Europe there’s often no super early arrival or huge lineup for rides between different countries.
Anything we can do to make taking the train more convenient than flying, we should be doing!
In Europe there’s often no super early arrival or huge lineup for rides between different countries.
Anything we can do to make taking the train more convenient than flying, we should be doing!
August 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I will never understand why Via Rail makes you arrive so early and line up to take the train.
In Europe there’s often no super early arrival or huge lineup for rides between different countries.
Anything we can do to make taking the train more convenient than flying, we should be doing!
In Europe there’s often no super early arrival or huge lineup for rides between different countries.
Anything we can do to make taking the train more convenient than flying, we should be doing!
Took the 4AM train from Ottawa to Toronto earlier this week. It was 90% full and basically on time.
Good on Via Rail for trying something new and providing more options to riders.
Good on Via Rail for trying something new and providing more options to riders.
August 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Took the 4AM train from Ottawa to Toronto earlier this week. It was 90% full and basically on time.
Good on Via Rail for trying something new and providing more options to riders.
Good on Via Rail for trying something new and providing more options to riders.
What’s your urbanism take that the general public would absolutely hate?
Mine is that making driving or parking less convenient can be incredibly helpful to public transit and active transportation.
Mine is that making driving or parking less convenient can be incredibly helpful to public transit and active transportation.
August 12, 2025 at 11:43 AM
What’s your urbanism take that the general public would absolutely hate?
Mine is that making driving or parking less convenient can be incredibly helpful to public transit and active transportation.
Mine is that making driving or parking less convenient can be incredibly helpful to public transit and active transportation.
I try to mostly post positive things about Ottawa, but these garbage cans at Minto Park, and elsewhere across the city, are embarrassing.
If we can’t even fund proper garbage cans, how can we be trusted to fund and operate bigger things, like a functioning transit system?
If we can’t even fund proper garbage cans, how can we be trusted to fund and operate bigger things, like a functioning transit system?
August 6, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I try to mostly post positive things about Ottawa, but these garbage cans at Minto Park, and elsewhere across the city, are embarrassing.
If we can’t even fund proper garbage cans, how can we be trusted to fund and operate bigger things, like a functioning transit system?
If we can’t even fund proper garbage cans, how can we be trusted to fund and operate bigger things, like a functioning transit system?
Next Ottawa Urbanism Book Club will be August 25 at Sunnyside Public Library.
We’ll be reading “Do Androids Dream of Electric Cars”.
DM me if interested in attending. Reading optional
We’ll be reading “Do Androids Dream of Electric Cars”.
DM me if interested in attending. Reading optional
August 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Next Ottawa Urbanism Book Club will be August 25 at Sunnyside Public Library.
We’ll be reading “Do Androids Dream of Electric Cars”.
DM me if interested in attending. Reading optional
We’ll be reading “Do Androids Dream of Electric Cars”.
DM me if interested in attending. Reading optional
Thought I’d try something new and learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube through a book instead of a video.
How are there 18 people waiting for a book about solving Rubik’s Cubes from the Ottawa Public Library!?!?
I’m honestly not mad, I’m impressed.
How are there 18 people waiting for a book about solving Rubik’s Cubes from the Ottawa Public Library!?!?
I’m honestly not mad, I’m impressed.
July 25, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Thought I’d try something new and learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube through a book instead of a video.
How are there 18 people waiting for a book about solving Rubik’s Cubes from the Ottawa Public Library!?!?
I’m honestly not mad, I’m impressed.
How are there 18 people waiting for a book about solving Rubik’s Cubes from the Ottawa Public Library!?!?
I’m honestly not mad, I’m impressed.
Two new picks ups from Perfect Books yesterday.
First one is the August book for the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, second is all about municipal finances and how we can afford them long term.
Interestingly, both authors are from Winnipeg
@greatplainspress.bsky.social
First one is the August book for the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, second is all about municipal finances and how we can afford them long term.
Interestingly, both authors are from Winnipeg
@greatplainspress.bsky.social
July 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Two new picks ups from Perfect Books yesterday.
First one is the August book for the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, second is all about municipal finances and how we can afford them long term.
Interestingly, both authors are from Winnipeg
@greatplainspress.bsky.social
First one is the August book for the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, second is all about municipal finances and how we can afford them long term.
Interestingly, both authors are from Winnipeg
@greatplainspress.bsky.social
Finally went for a swim at Dow’s Lake yesterday and man was I impressed.
Nice dock, lots of seating, and the place was packed.
Consistently impressed by how much the NCC is making Ottawa more fun and enjoyable.
Nice dock, lots of seating, and the place was packed.
Consistently impressed by how much the NCC is making Ottawa more fun and enjoyable.
July 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Finally went for a swim at Dow’s Lake yesterday and man was I impressed.
Nice dock, lots of seating, and the place was packed.
Consistently impressed by how much the NCC is making Ottawa more fun and enjoyable.
Nice dock, lots of seating, and the place was packed.
Consistently impressed by how much the NCC is making Ottawa more fun and enjoyable.
Had to wait months to check out the Truman Show from the Library.
Ottawa is clearly a city with great taste in movies
Ottawa is clearly a city with great taste in movies
July 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Had to wait months to check out the Truman Show from the Library.
Ottawa is clearly a city with great taste in movies
Ottawa is clearly a city with great taste in movies
The Street Seats Pilot Program in Centretown is looking very promising so far.
Amazing what happens when you give space back to people.
Photo taken last night by @jaxijin.bsky.social
Amazing what happens when you give space back to people.
Photo taken last night by @jaxijin.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Street Seats Pilot Program in Centretown is looking very promising so far.
Amazing what happens when you give space back to people.
Photo taken last night by @jaxijin.bsky.social
Amazing what happens when you give space back to people.
Photo taken last night by @jaxijin.bsky.social
Well said. And a huge number of low income and urban residents that don’t even drive have to live with the poor air quality, noise, and safety issues that come with car dependency.
July 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Well said. And a huge number of low income and urban residents that don’t even drive have to live with the poor air quality, noise, and safety issues that come with car dependency.
Instead of my normal pre-trip social media post asking for suggestions, I’m using @alexbozikovic.bsky.social’s book for ideas.
Hoping to visit and write about some more suburban neighbourhoods when I visit Toronto next month. Definitely some good suggestions in here.
Hoping to visit and write about some more suburban neighbourhoods when I visit Toronto next month. Definitely some good suggestions in here.
July 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Instead of my normal pre-trip social media post asking for suggestions, I’m using @alexbozikovic.bsky.social’s book for ideas.
Hoping to visit and write about some more suburban neighbourhoods when I visit Toronto next month. Definitely some good suggestions in here.
Hoping to visit and write about some more suburban neighbourhoods when I visit Toronto next month. Definitely some good suggestions in here.
Listening to some hot tunes on the bus this morning 🔥
June 27, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Listening to some hot tunes on the bus this morning 🔥
I've got two articles drafted on Vancouver and what Ottawa can learn. However, the nearby city/suburb of Surrey surprised me the most.
I've never seen such a strange mix of extreme density and huge parking lots and stroads. Something for Ottawa to avoid as we push to densify!
I've never seen such a strange mix of extreme density and huge parking lots and stroads. Something for Ottawa to avoid as we push to densify!
June 25, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I've got two articles drafted on Vancouver and what Ottawa can learn. However, the nearby city/suburb of Surrey surprised me the most.
I've never seen such a strange mix of extreme density and huge parking lots and stroads. Something for Ottawa to avoid as we push to densify!
I've never seen such a strange mix of extreme density and huge parking lots and stroads. Something for Ottawa to avoid as we push to densify!
Findlay Creek on the left:
-big houses
- higher income
- relatively low density and property tax revenues
- buried power lines
Kent Street on the right:
- many apartments
- lower income
- high density and huge property tax revenues
- above ground power lines in some places
-big houses
- higher income
- relatively low density and property tax revenues
- buried power lines
Kent Street on the right:
- many apartments
- lower income
- high density and huge property tax revenues
- above ground power lines in some places
June 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Findlay Creek on the left:
-big houses
- higher income
- relatively low density and property tax revenues
- buried power lines
Kent Street on the right:
- many apartments
- lower income
- high density and huge property tax revenues
- above ground power lines in some places
-big houses
- higher income
- relatively low density and property tax revenues
- buried power lines
Kent Street on the right:
- many apartments
- lower income
- high density and huge property tax revenues
- above ground power lines in some places