The Tssut’ina Nation (TTN) is located in the foothills of Alberta, neighbouring southwest Calgary. In 2013 TTN voted to accommodate a portion of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road on their lands, and to allow leasing agreements on portions of lands adjacent to the Ring Road. A joint-venture was formed between TTN and Canderel, one of Canada’s largest privately held real estate companies, to plan, finance, and manage the development of the approximately 1300 acres of these Designated Lands, known as Taza.
In 2015, Urban Strategies was retained to lead the planning and design of a comprehensive Master Plan for the Designated Lands. As a large site with regional connectivity, the Designated Lands represent an unprecedented development opportunity for TTN, so a primary objective of the project was to achieve sustainable economic growth through the development. To ensure this goal was met, Urban Strategies partnered with Urbanics Consulting Ltd. to provide detailed market analysis and recommendations. Development concepts for primary parcels within the Designated Lands were created building on input garnered from an Envisioning and Ideas Charrette, and economic analysis of market opportunities produced by Urbanics. The Charrette brought together leaders from the TTN and the broader Calgary community to brainstorm the unique opportunities presented by the designated lands and potential land-uses that could best unlock this value.
Through an intensive and ongoing process of collaboration with the client team Urban Strategies refined four master plan concepts which articulated different approaches to street networks, development parcels, land-use, density, parking, stormwater management, transit, as well as public realm and urban design considerations. Key to each Master Plan was the integration of major traffic-generating uses, identified by Urbanics maximizing the opportunities for the Designated Lands to become a long-term successful regional destination.
“The Tsuut’ina Nation Development Authority states that “Taza values create a narrative that is authentic and balanced, unifying the design throughout the three villages.These values deliver a unique sense of place within the Tsuut’ina Nation.”
“GUDISNUD-DI UWA ATŁ’ADITIYA — Community and Connectivity
Building on over 50 years of economic development, with direct ring road access to three distinct villages that include high-value real estate, vibrant outdoor spaces, centres for innovation, wellness destinations and more.
GUNINISHA ISILA GUTSIK’ATS’IDIYA-HI — Cultural Influences
Bridging advancement through deep ties to tradition, resilience and a shared vision of the Tsuut’ina people.
GUDISNUD-DI UWA ATŁ’ADITIYA — Economic Diversity
Connection to nature inspires a commitment to sustainability targeting a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030.
MISGUSɁONI UWA NISK’A AADIT’IYI — Nature and Connection to the Land
Affordability, competitive taxation, and deliberate reinvestment will spur economic impact to fund the future and continue to extend the ripple of success for generations to come.” Tsuut’ina Nation Development Authority
