Sometimes You Have to Quit to Make a Point

All seven architects on Ottawa's design review panel have resigned over not being valued in the planning for new downtown construction projects. Cancellation of an international design competition for the redesign of Lansdowne Park was perhaps the tipping point for the architects.

Canadian media outlets report seven architects on Ottawa's 10-person urban design review panel have resigned, judging their input had little impact on city planning. In a letter to the planning chairman, the architects basically said their expertise was not being used or valued. The three remaining panel members are all landscape architects.

The review panel, founded in 2005, is supposed to oversee new city construction and make sure projects are in keeping with the intent of the city's urban design plan.

The architects believe the panel had little effect on city planning, that by the time they were consulted, planning decisions had already been made.

In a letter to Peter Hume, chair of the Planning and Environment Committee, the architects said the design review has been of ''minor usefulness.''

''While we believe that it is no longer possible to support the status quo, we do remain committed to improving the quality of urban design in the city,'' the letter stated.

''We hope the city will take a renewed interest and commitment to urban design, but until we see substantial improvements in the approach to urban design on the part of the city, it is no longer in our interest to participate.''