The Petite Riviere Redevelopment Plan aims to transform an existing golf course site in Montreal, Quebec, into a high performance, sustainable community. Montreal developer Groupe Pacific envisions a neighborhood that strengthens community, provides a healthier quality of life and restores the environment with a 60% ecological footprint reduction. The design team worked towards achieving ten principles set forth in a One Planet Communities Sustainability Action Plan for the site: zero carbon; zero waste; sustainable transport; local and sustainable materials; local and sustainable food; sustainable water; natural habitats and wildlife; culture and heritage; equity and fair trade; and health and happiness.

Petite Riviere will use these performance measures: reduce building emissions by 100% (carbon-neutral); enhance local culture and heritage; source at least 30% of materials regionally; reduce construction and solid waste by 98%; produce 1 job per 5 units of housing; have 15% affordable housing; reduce municipal water use by 627 liters per day (80% reduction); reduce transport emissions by 71%; leave 54% of site as natural habitat and green spaces; and obtain 40% of all food from local farms and on-site gardens.

The design team of BNIM and L'OEUF – with a highly integrated team of energy, landscape, water and transportation experts – incorporated the urban design principles of walkability, mixed-use, connectivity, compactness, sustainability and community to design a development that meets the carrying capacity of one planet and is also economically viable for the developer.