Latest news with #OnePlanetLiving
Ottawa Citizen
20-06-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Meness: Tewin development signals a return for Algonquin people
There is a troubling tendency in this city to speak of reconciliation as a principle to be applauded, but not lived. Too often, Indigenous ambition is mistaken for overreach, and Indigenous vision dismissed as inconvenience. The Tewin project — slated for land southeast of the urban core — has been drawn into this recurring pattern, and it's time to break the cycle. Article content Article content Let's be clear: Tewin is not a conventional development. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Algonquin people to reclaim space, purpose and visibility in a capital that was built on our unceded territory — territory that includes the traditional lands of Grand Chief Pierre Louis Constant Pinesi. Article content Article content A respected leader in the early 19th century, Chief Pinesi allied with the British during the War of 1812, leading Algonquin warriors more than 500 kilometres to help defend what is now Canada. His family's traditional hunting grounds spanned what we now call Ottawa: roughly 1,800 sq. km. bordered by the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers and extending south to Kemptville. These were not just lands; they were lifeways, relationships, ecosystems and stories. Article content Before roads and farms, this was a living landscape: forested, biodiverse and travelled by birchbark canoe in summer and by snowshoe in winter. But waves of settlers soon transformed these lands, cutting forests, killing off game, building towns. Despite his loyalty and repeated petitions to the Crown, Chief Pinesi never saw recognition of Algonquin land rights. No treaty was signed. The land was taken: settled without consent, logged without compensation, governed without representation. Article content Article content Tewin is a response to that legacy. It is rooted in Algonquin values, designed around sustainability, and is a true partnership where Indigenous people have a seat at the table. It is not urban sprawl; it is a deliberate, planned community grounded in the internationally recognized One Planet Living framework. It will be compact, connected and climate-conscious, built with environmental sensitivity and long-term infrastructure planning. Article content Still, some residents and City of Ottawa councillors continue to cast doubt on the project's legitimacy, or on the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) themselves, many of whom are direct descendants of Grand Chief Pinesi. That is not a policy critique; it is a microaggression. It echoes the long, tired refrain that not only must we justify ourselves, but now we must justify our presence in our own lands.
Axios
01-05-2025
- General
- Axios
The River District earns sustainability designation rarely awarded in the U.S.
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.
