The River District earns sustainability designation rarely awarded in the U.S.
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The River District — Crescent Communities' 1,400-acre development under construction in west Charlotte — has earned a rare designation for the way it blends urban living with nature.
Why it matters: The only other U.S. communities that are "One Planet Living Leaders" are in California and Washington — places that are much better known for their sustainability investments than North Carolina.
How it works: One Planet Living is a framework developed by the South London-based sustainability consultancy Bioregional. It recognizes developments that promote healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature, while still preserving space for wildlife and natural ecosystems.
- Charlotte-based developer Crescent Communities has intentionally worked on The River District with One Planet Living's principles in mind.
- "It's woven into every decision that we're making," says Crescent Communities' stewardship manager, Erika Ruane.
The big picture: The River District master plan will turn Charlotte's largest stretch of undeveloped land, along the Catawba River, into 2,300 single-family homes, 2,350 multi-family units and up to 8 million square feet of commercial space.
Yes, but: The long-term plan also preserves over 500 acres of nature, some of which will be greenways, trails and parks, as well as a 2-acre farm and new access to the Catawba River.
- Bioregional notes that The River District is "pioneering new approaches not previously seen in North Carolina or the southern states of the U.S."
- The River District also promotes biking and walking, with proximity to a town center, school, and other retail, so residents are less dependent on their cars.
Zoom in: Ruane says the planning behind The River District is very intentional, even the small details. For example:
- Crescent planted Zoysia grass, a more expensive turf but one that is drought-tolerant and dense enough to choke out weeds, reducing the need for extra water and herbicides. Although non-native, the species is regionally appropriate, considering climate change, Ruane says.
- Boulders discovered during construction were repurposed for a grade break, rather than being hauled to the dump.
- Crescent used wood from some of the area's harvested trees to build 13 birdhouses for the preserved woodlands. A biodiversity study helped Crescent identify which species live at The River District and how their habitats could be supported.
Zoom out: The other U.S. communities to receive the One Planet Living Leader are:
- SOMO Village, north of San Francisco, puts residents within a five-minute walk of the town square, is home to many sustainability-focused companies and has over 16,000 solar panels. Like The River District, it also has a 2-acre farm.
- Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, describes itself as an "alternative to traditional suburbia," with all-electric homes, only one car parking space per property, shared gardens and an orchard.
