Revitalising downtown Ottawa with One Planet Living

Zibi, which means ‘river’ in the Algonquin language, is a waterfront area located next to downtown Ottawa and its neighbouring city of Gatineau, overlooking both the Ottawa River and Chaudière Falls.

Redeveloped from industrial brownfield land once dominated by a paper mill, the 37-acre site will include commercial and retail properties, condominium developments, a hotel, waterfront parks and open spaces and a network of pedestrian and cycling paths.

Over three million square feet of development is planned on a site which covers two river islands between Ottawa and Gatineau and land in Gatineau.

Developers Windmill Development Group and Dream Unlimited Corp, working with Bioregional, have used the 10 principles of the One Planet Living framework to help guide sustainability and eco-friendly planning for Zibi. A sustainability action plan based on the principles was endorsed in May 2015.

The first residents are due to move in at the end of 2018.

Zibi's One Planet Living targets

• A district-wide energy system, which aims to provide Zibi with zero carbon energy by 2020. It will use waste heat from a nearby paper mill
• Working together with the Algonquin-Anishinabe community in ways that generate lasting and tangible benefits to present and future generations; creating a new model for how private developers engage with First Nations in Canada.
• 90% reduction in transport greenhouse gas emissions compared to the regional average, thanks to prioritising walking, cycling and charging points for electric vehicles.
• This will be a highly walkable area, with every home within 500 metres of workplaces
• Radically increasing biodiversity (by 400%) above existing levels on the site
• Housing opportunities for a diverse range of renters and buyers, and preferential allocation in some of the commercial space to local and socially responsible businesses
  Bringing new life to up to seven heritage buildings on the site

An Advisory Council on Integrity has been set up by the Algonquin-Anishinabe, to ensure the integrity and appropriateness of the Zibi development on issues of First Nations culture, heritage and socio-economics.