The National Capital Commission wants the downtown areas of Ottawa and Gatineau to better reflect the diversity of the country.

That was one of the goals set out Friday in the NCC's long-term plan.

It's a two-part plan: One part deals with development of federal land in the core area, and the other deals with programming and activities over several decades.

One of the planners, Marie Boulet, explained why the activity programmers got involved.

"The core area is where most of the five or six million visitors to the capital go. So we felt this sector needed particular attention," Boulet said.

Part of the plan calls for an aboriginal heritage centre on Victoria Island.

The plan was put on the NCC website Friday, and there will be public consultations at the end of the month.