Population Growth and Density of Ottawa-Gatineau

[Ottawan]

If you actually look in detail at the 2006 Census results, between 2001 and 2006 the area inside the Greenbelt did decline, but this decline was due to what I call the "inner suburbs", and was not due to a decline in number of households, but in numbers of members of households. In other words, these areas are populated by Baby Boomers who's children are finally moving out.

Areas within the Greenbelt that I consider urban or urbanising ones in fact grew in that period. This includes the ByWard Market area, the CBD, the Glebe, Sandy Hill, and most of Kitchissippi. I haven't looked at Vanier/New Edinburgh, but would not be surprised to see the same results there.

I also believe that since 2006 both trends (loss in inner suburbs, gain in urban areas) have probably continued or increased. The loss in the inner suburbs does not greatly concern me, as this trend will change in the long run as aging residents living in big empty houses decide to move, and young families return to these areas. When seen in this light, a decline in population but increase in residences within the Greenbelt is in fact a trend very much in line with long-term population growth and increasing urbanization.