The neighbourhood at the core of Ottawa's downtown is growing up — way up — contrary to a 30-year-old plan for the community. And the sprouting stands of highrises may make it feel uncomfortably crowded, says the architect who wrote that plan.

John Leaning's vision for Centretown, commissioned by the city in 1974, included residential pockets criss-crossed by major roads and a boundary that would keep buildings taller than 12 stories north of Gloucester Street.

He said new highrise developments south of that boundary, such as the twin towers under construction at Kent and Lisgar streets, which are slated to hit 19 and 17 stories, have the potential to make the community less livable.

"Livable area means one which is probably quite dense, but is not overcrowded with massive building structures that destroy the human scale of the area," he said.

Centretown residents with similar concerns have fought new and potential highrises on Gilmour Street, at Bank Street and Gladstone Avenue, and at Lisgar and Metcalfe streets.

'The city has become dominantly suburban'

Leaning said he is concerned that his plan, which he believes has worked well so far, may not be heeded in the future.

"I fear that things may happen during this period of transition when the city is being amalgamated and made much larger and the city has become dominantly suburban," he said.

Diane Holmes, councillor for the ward that includes Centretown, said exceptions to the plan for the neighbourhood are constantly being approved.

"We have a planning department that pretty well OK's major increases in density and height," she said.

And council has agreed to the majority of those increases, she said.

Like Leaning, she blames the fact that, since Ottawa amalgamated with surrounding suburban and rural communities in 2001, the city council has been dominated by councillors representing those areas.