Ty-histanis Sustainable Neighbourhood Development

Ty-histanis is a sustainably designed and constructed community in a semi-remote, rural setting, 15 km south of the Village of Tofino, surrounded by Pacific Rim National Park. David Nairne + Associates Ltd. (DNA) has been working with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations for over ten years to identify suitable lands, engage the community, design and construct the new sustainable neighbourhood. The project started with negotiations to remove a portion of land from the National Park Reserve.

Throughout the planning process, Tla-o-qui-aht’s principal of Hishuk nish Tsawaak (all is one) and Isaak (respect) has been the foundation for the design and now the development of Ty-histanis. Hishuk nish Tsawaak embodies the essence of sustainable ecological planning and development. It speaks to the connectivity of our lives within our ecosystem and the importance of maintaining the balance between these.

The development of a sustainable community was achieved through an intensive integrated design process and included community design workshops and community meetings to both plan the vision for the new community and to plan for housing.

Ty-histanis was designed in careful consultation with Parks Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, using principles of LEED Neighbourhood Design. Strategic parcel development was crucial to maintaining habitat and the biodiversity surrounding existing natural bog areas, stream corridors and old growth/second growth forest stands. A community wide District Geo-exchange Energy System was constructed to serve both residential development and community facilities at Ty-hystanis, creating an opportunity to showcase innovative clean energy initiatives for long-term economic and environmental benefits to the community.

The design approach used for the Ty-histanis district energy plant, pump station and mail kiosk is a direct reflection of the commitment by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to build a model, sustainable community that is respectful towards the surrounding Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve lands. The project is located within these lands, and promotes and celebrates the spirit language and form of the Nation’s traditional culture.

The establishment of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in the early 1970s created a major impediment to the expansion of Esowista Indian Reserve No. 3, which is one of two occupied Reserves belonging to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. Since that time, physical development at Esowista consumed all of the developable land on the small Reserve. Overcrowded housing conditions reached a crisis for the First Nation and they had to turn away many Tla-o-qui-aht families and individuals who were anxious to return to their homeland.

As a result of these pressures, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation began a process to address their immediate and future community development land needs. This process culminated in the successful negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Nation, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and Parks Canada. The MOU, formally signed in 2003, set in motion the transfer of 84 hectares of land from Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to Esowista IR 3. In 2006 the lands were removed from the Park Reserve and added to IR 3.

A commitment was made by the parties to explore and apply practical, sustainable community development principles to the planning, design and construction of the new, expanded community. As a result of a comprehensive community engagement process, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations developed their vision for Ty-histanis:

In order to ensure that this development project has the least impact as possible on the site we pursued the notion that the “site designs the community”.

This is done through retaining natural, native vegetation including trees. Natural drainage patterns is retained through the use of on-site stormwater management that takes advantage of the large natural bog in the middle of the site. Creeks and ravines are protected with narrow bridge crossings instead of culverts. Trees are protected on 40% of the property, and retained wherever possible on residential lots.

Membership wanted to minimize emphasis on cars and trucks and slow down vehicles to allow for pedestrian safety. Roads meander through the forest, and lit footpaths that wind through the trees are used instead of traditional sidewalks. Traffic calming features such as raised pedestrian crossings and traffic islands have been incorporated. Walking and bicycling will be encouraged through a multi-use trail network connecting all parts of the community and Schooner Cove.

The homes and community facilities within Ty-histanis are accessed by an informal, meandering network of roads laid out in harmony with the natural contours and vegetation of the site. Home sites are clustered in small groups of 8 to 10 lots surrounded by existing forest. The access road entries into each cluster of home sites are marked by small landscaped traffic islands.

This development includes places for healing and cultural celebrations, a vibrant centre accessible to all residents, a mix of housing types and tenures, and building forms and materials which respect to the culture. Nuu chah nulth names will be used throughout.

The focus of Ty-histanis is a core of community buildings including a longhouse, an administration facility with a health clinic, an elders and youth activity centres and community playfields. Economic and industrial uses will also be encouraged at the village core, to encourage in-community employment and services that do not require a vehicle to access.