Uploaded on 2014-10-23 by dianeharper

[1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14140691421143405.jpg This is outside a huge government office complex in Gatineau Quebec (in the sector formerly known as Hull), just across the Ottawa River from Ottawa, our capital city. From the picture, you can tell that the language of work is French, that access for people with disabilities is important (there is a wheelchair ramp), and that we have public transit. Across the street, you can see modern infill (part of a renovated 19th C tavern), and other old buildings. They are small-scale, mostly two story, and have a mix of shops, restaurants, bars and upstairs apartments. The nearest building on the right is an old hotel that has been converted to a government office building. All these things tell me that the area values history and reusing buildings (the old-style light standard also hints at that), but also that this is not a particularly modern or fashionable neighborhood. The wide sidewalks with cobble-style bricks welcome pedestrians (in fact, just behind the two red buildings in the middle, there is a weekly farmer's market). However, this is mostly a business area, and not many people actually walk around; this picture was taken at noon, and it still wasn't busy. The only traffic signs here warn people against stopping or parking in front of the government buildings. There are no traffic signal lights anywhere along this stretch of road. Even the pedestrian crosswalks are not well marked (one in front of the red buildings). Mostly you can tell because the pavement changes to the same cobbles as the sidewalks; despite this, cars do stop for pedestrians. It's hard to see, but part of a red mailbox is visible on the left; just beyond that, you can see bicycles and the racks for commuters who bike to work. Unlike much of the older, central part of Gatineau, you don't see any overhead hydro and telephone wires. I presume they have been buried under the street.