The River District earns sustainability designation rarely awarded in the U.S.

Axios

01-05-2025

The River District — Crescent Communities' 1,400-acre development under construction in west Charlotte — has earned a rare designation for the way it blends urban living with nature.
Why it matters: The only other U.S. communities that are "One Planet Living Leaders" are in California and Washington — places that are much better known for their sustainability investments than North Carolina.
How it works: One Planet Living is a framework developed by the South London-based sustainability consultancy Bioregional. It recognizes developments that promote healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature, while still preserving space for wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Charlotte-based developer Crescent Communities has intentionally worked on The River District with One Planet Living's principles in mind.
"It's woven into every decision that we're making," says Crescent Communities' stewardship manager, Erika Ruane.
The big picture: The River District master plan will turn Charlotte's largest stretch of undeveloped land, along the Catawba River, into 2,300 single-family homes, 2,350 multi-family units and up to 8 million square feet of commercial space.
Yes, but: The long-term plan also preserves over 500 acres of nature, some of which will be greenways, trails and parks, as well as a 2-acre farm and new access to the Catawba River.
Bioregional notes that The River District is "pioneering new approaches not previously seen in North Carolina or the southern states of the U.S."
The River District also promotes biking and walking, with proximity to a town center, school, and other retail, so residents are less dependent on their cars.
Zoom in: Ruane says the planning behind The River District is very intentional, even the small details. For example:
Crescent planted Zoysia grass, a more expensive turf but one that is drought-tolerant and dense enough to choke out weeds, reducing the need for extra water and herbicides. Although non-native, the species is regionally appropriate, considering climate change, Ruane says.
Boulders discovered during construction were repurposed for a grade break, rather than being hauled to the dump, and a new concrete retaining wall was built.
Crescent used wood from some of the area's harvested trees to build 13 birdhouses for the preserved woodlands. A biodiversity study helped Crescent identify which species live at The River District and how their habitats could be supported.
Zoom out: The other U.S. communities to receive the One Planet Living Leader are:
SOMO Village, north of San Francisco, puts residents within a five-minute walk of the town square, is home to many sustainability-focused companies and has over 16,000 solar panels. Like The River District, it also has a 2-acre farm.
Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, describes itself as an "alternative to traditional suburbia," with all-electric homes, only one car parking space per property, shared gardens and an orchard.