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.
Key stats from the 2023 action plan review:
Zero carbon energy
In 2023, Zibi resulted in CO2 emissions of just 3.3kgCO2/m2, compared with 15.2kgCO2/m2/year for business-as-usual design. This ultra-low result was delivered through both energy efficiency, by meeting heat demands from post-industrial waste heat, cooling demands from the river and through the groundbreaking Zibi Community Utility district energy company.
Culture and community
A new Cultural Committee has just been established with indigenous members from the Algonquin community, replacing the original Memengweshii Council. The resident community portal membership doubled to 175 members where the OPA continues to share sustainability content. Zibi released a new OPL onboarding video for trades and continued a poster campaign and sustainability competition on the construction site. The OPA continues to welcome visitors at the One Planet Living Centre.
Equity and local economy
Affordable homes currently account for 45% of units delivered. In addition, Common at Zibi opens in 2024, offering 48 co-living units, each accommodating up to 5 residents, along with 2 more floors of affordable homes. Commercial tenant, Spaces, operates 2 flexible workspace premises, one on each side of the river. Zibi continues to creatively look for ways to create economic opportunities for indigenous workers.
Land and nature
Phase 3 decontamination work took place in 2023 with the removal of large quantities of contaminated soil. Tesasini Park’s riverfront space now opens up the shores of the Ottawa River, featuring flood resistant exposed bedrock shelves, retained mature trees and newly planted native species. 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.
Travel and transport
With the help of federal funding, ZIBI almost doubled its EV charging provision this year. Parking provision has dropped and now meets the target 0.7 spaces per household. Bus services across the Chaudières Bridge began this year. Walkscores continue to increase, and all properties have "excellent transit" and are a "biker's paradise" according to WalkScore.com. In the resident survey, 23% have an EV or hybrid and 13% have no vehicle. Most short journeys are done by non-car means.
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
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.
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