The project is only the second development in Canada to receive international endorsement under the One Planet Living sustainability framework. The mixed-use development will transform a downtown parking lot into a vibrant and environmentally conscious community with residential, commercial and institutional space and public parking; Bioregional is the creator of the One Planet Living framework.
Bioregional verified the outcomes, targets and strategies included in the Baker District’s One Planet action plan, a roadmap that will guide the development as one of the world’s most sustainable communities.
One Planet Living is one of the most holistic sustainability frameworks available around the globe; as a One Planet Living community, Baker District is instrumental in the city of Guelph’s goal of becoming a net-zero carbon city by 2050. The development is the first of its kind in Canada to use ecological footprinting to inform the strategies that will minimise the overall impact of the project.
This principle aligns with Guelph's smart city initiative, Our Food Future; the project will leverage the resources and energy from Guelph’s dynamic food community to make the Baker District a hub for urban agriculture and food responsibility.
To meet the specific targets under each principle in the framework, Windmill has identified a set of performance requirements that will inform the design of Baker District once the Urban Design Master Plan has been approved.
To further enhance the Baker District’s ability to meet its objectives the project is planning to be partially financed by The One Planet Living Fund, a newly launched real estate impact fund that is a partnership between Windmill and Epic Investments.