Zibi
Revitalising downtown Ottawa with One Planet Living
Zibi, which means ‘river’ in the Algonquin Anishinaabe 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 that covers two river islands between Ottawa and Gatineau and land in Gatineau.
Developers Theia Partners and Dream Unlimited, 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 moved in at the end of 2018.
"I've never seen a development like this where education, sustainability, and social connection are so interwoven. Zibi has the potential to inspire change across Canada and beyond."
Ashley Radomski
Zibi resident
Zibi's One Planet Living targets
From its 2019 action plan.
- A district-wide energy system that will provide Zibi with zero-carbon energy using 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
Zibi features in re•generation's recent video below ↓
Key updates from Zibi's 2024 annual review ↓
Zero carbon energy In 2024, completion of the bridge works enabled the Zibi Community Utility district energy company to meet all heating, cooling and domestic hot water demands for the first time. Zibi resulted in CO2 emissions of just 1.4kgCO2/m2, compared with 15.2kgCO2/m2/year for business-as-usual design. This ultra-low result was delivered through energy-efficient design, by meeting heat demands from post-industrial waste heat and cooling demands from the river.
Culture and community Heritage continues to be protected and promoted at Zibi as the Heritage Interpretive Plan continues to be implemented. 3 heritage buildings have been preserved. New Indigenous art has been incorporated into the new Block 206 and Tesasini Park. The Cultural Committee met 3 times in 2024. Outreach work with schools was undertaken, including visits to Zibi. Resident portal membership rose again to 229, over 25% of the Zibi population.
Equity and local economy Zibi is still on track to meet its affordable homes target, with 19 such homes added as Block 206 opened. This block also includes an innovative co-living concept, with 48 units each accommodating 5 residents. The Residents’ Sustainability Committee doubled in size – all but one building is now represented. Zibi continues to offer employment and investment opportunities for Indigenous communities. A preferential pricing programme is in place for Indigenous purchasers.
Land and nature Phase 3 decontamination work continued this year, with the removal of large quantities of contaminated soil. Zibi is well on track to deliver its open space targets. Residents continue to report an increase in their time in nature. Biodiversity gain is being tracked as number of native plant species, which continue to rise along with culturally significant species too. Using iNaturalist, Zibi launched a citizen science program in 2024. As a result, residents identified 65 fauna species.
Travel and transport Parking provision is now at just 0.6 spaces per household. Works on the Chaudières Bridge are now complete, so bus services are much improved. Walkscores continue to increase, and all properties have "excellent transit" and are a "biker's paradise" according to WalkScore.com. The number of residents that report having no vehicle doubled to 25% this year, whilst 19% have an EV or hybrid car. EV chargers are installed in 7% of parking spaces with future-proof conduit available in 55%.
One Planet Living is our vision of a world where we can live happily within the Earth’s resources, and a straightforward framework to achieve this
Find out more
Zibi's One Planet Living action plan
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Annual reviews
An Advisory Council on Integrity was 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.
