Arup looks to expand its business in Canada through building, advisory and transit projects with decarbonisation and resilience at the forefront.
Arup has opened an office in Ottawa. The global design, advisory and engineering firm has had a presence in Canada for almost a quarter of a century, with three other offices in Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary.
Arup has worked in the Ottawa region since the firm’s arrival in Canada in 2000, starting with planning and design work for the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Since then, Arup has delivered 26 projects in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the Ottawa VIA Rail Station Platform Renewal Project and many others. The group continues to work with public and private clients in the NCR to deliver design and services in the transportation, buildings, energy, and water sectors with a focus on achieving sustainability and net-zero goals.
Arup’s initial focus for the Ottawa practice under the helm of its new office leader Gareth Jones will include the decarbonisation and renovation of civic buildings, advisory services and design for bus rapid transit and light rail transit projects across the NCR.
Gareth Jones, Arup’s Ottawa office leader, commented: “The opening of our new office in Ottawa demonstrates Arup’s commitment to serving the seat of the Canadian Federal Government and its surrounding communities. There are exciting opportunities ahead as we’re building on the momentum of our work on the Alexandra Bridge Replacement Project and expanding and diversifying our business in Canada.”
Doug Balmer, an Arup principal based in the Ottawa office, said: “ It’s going to be exciting to grow another Arup office in Canada. I sense that in these uncertain times the world needs the services and skills that Arup can provide more than ever before. We need to keep taking on those complex projects and challenges that can deliver be truly sustainable solutions, and that promote living within the means of the planet.
“We can all start by taking small steps towards reducing our own carbon footprints. When we moved to Ottawa to help open the new Arup office, we decided to live close enough so we could walk to the office rather than drive. It’s already been noticeable about how much less gas we’ve been using and how much more walking we are doing.”
