A Living Demonstration of a Healthier, More Resilient Future
What makes the Resilient Village different?
Healthy, low-carbon homes
Healthy, low-carbon homes
Passive House design, renewable energy, and resource-efficient systems will help reduce environmental impact while creating comfortable, healthy places to live.
A Closer Connection to Nature
A Closer Connection to Nature
Gardens, greenhouses, regenerative agriculture, and protected natural spaces will connect residents with the land and strengthen local food resilience.
A stronger sense of community
A stronger sense of community
Shared spaces, participatory decision-making, and networks of mutual care will create opportunities for neighbours to connect, collaborate, and support one another.
The Village will also explore walkable neighbourhoods, low-carbon transportation, and opportunities for respectful relationships and shared stewardship with Indigenous communities.
Together, these elements offer a more integrated approach to community life.
A place to explore, experiment, and learn
Residents, students, researchers, builders, community leaders, and visitors will have opportunities to experience innovative approaches to housing, energy, food, and community life.
The intention is to create a place where people can ask questions, test ideas, learn from successes and setbacks, and share what they discover.
For example, the Village could help explore questions such as:
The answers will emerge through practical experience, collaboration, and ongoing learning.
From one Village to 1,000 Resilient Villages
One shared vision. Thousands of local possibilities.
Common Earth’s larger ambition is to inspire and support the creation of 1,000 resilient villages around the world.
Each village would reflect the unique needs, culture, resources, and natural environment of its community.
By sharing what is learned in Ottawa, and learning from other communities in return, the Resilient Village can contribute to a growing international network of people exploring healthier, more resilient ways of living.
An Invitation to Help Shape the Future
The Common Earth Resilient Village is still taking shape. Its design will continue to evolve through environmental studies, technical planning, community dialogue, and collaboration with project partners.
There is much to explore and important work ahead.
Common Earth welcomes individuals and organizations who want to contribute their ideas, experience, expertise, and resources to this shared undertaking.
The opportunity is to create a community that improves the quality of life of its residents while generating practical knowledge that can benefit many others.
What we learn together in Ottawa could help shape the communities of tomorrow.
You are invited
• Jamie Miller, PhD, founder of Biomimicry Frontiers, will explore what we can learn from nature about creating a 21st-century village.
• Sarah Patterson, President of Common Earth, will speak about the broader vision for resilient, post-carbon communities.
• Paul Kealey, President of EkoBuilt, will explain how Passive House-style construction can significantly reduce energy use from day one, while also improving long-term affordability.
• Participants will then take part in a facilitated small-group dialogue, bringing their own experience and ideas to the question: How can we create communities that are more resilient, connected and able to thrive in a rapidly changing world?
The Village is still taking shape, and we want people from across the Ottawa community to help inform what comes next.
Reach Out
We love talking about what we do and how it can make a difference to you.