About<\/h1><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Better Ottawa is a program of CitySHAPES<\/b><\/a>, a not-for-profit focused on building better cities.<\/p>\nCitySHAPES is working to make cities better by catalyzing the changes they need to become healthier, greener, and more vibrant cities where everyone can thrive.<\/p>\n
We focus on housing affordability, sustainable transportation and municipal governance and transparency.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/betterottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CitySHAPES-RoundLogo.png\" "\\"CitySHAPES-RoundLogo\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Neil Saravanamuttoo<\/h1><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/betterottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NS250904-square.jpeg\" "\\"NS250904")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>I'm Neil. I'm part of the ragtag group of the community volunteers<\/b> working to hold Ottawa City Hall to account. <\/p>\n
I'm the executive director of CitySHAPES, where we're focused on building better cities. I work mostly on local public interest issues in Ottawa.<\/p>\n
Learn about my values and priorities on my two Substacks, Fix Your City<\/b><\/a> and the 613<\/a>, or on the Better Ottawa<\/b><\/a> podcast.<\/p>\nI spent a career in public finance, at the Department of Finance Canada and as the G20 Global Infrastructure Hub's Chief Economist. <\/p>\n
I'm a graduate of Carleton University and the London School of Economics, and have completed executive education at Harvard's Kennedy School.<\/p>\n
I was honoured to recently receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal<\/b> for distinguished service to Canada and the local community. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Media<\/h1><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Better Ottawa is a program of CitySHAPES<\/b><\/a>, a not-for-profit focused on building better cities.<\/p>\n CitySHAPES is working to make cities better by catalyzing the changes they need to become healthier, greener, and more vibrant cities where everyone can thrive.<\/p>\n We focus on housing affordability, sustainable transportation and municipal governance and transparency.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> I'm Neil. I'm part of the ragtag group of the community volunteers<\/b> working to hold Ottawa City Hall to account. <\/p>\n I'm the executive director of CitySHAPES, where we're focused on building better cities. I work mostly on local public interest issues in Ottawa.<\/p>\n Learn about my values and priorities on my two Substacks, Fix Your City<\/b><\/a> and the 613<\/a>, or on the Better Ottawa<\/b><\/a> podcast.<\/p>\n I spent a career in public finance, at the Department of Finance Canada and as the G20 Global Infrastructure Hub's Chief Economist. <\/p>\n I'm a graduate of Carleton University and the London School of Economics, and have completed executive education at Harvard's Kennedy School.<\/p>\n I was honoured to recently receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal<\/b> for distinguished service to Canada and the local community. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Neil Saravanamuttoo<\/h1><\/span>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Media<\/h1><\/span>
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