Despite the spread in environmental movements and the proliferation of recent scientific studies on anthropogenic ecological degradation, weak environmental policies remain the norm for the majority of world nations, cities and municipalities. Alternative models, practices, technologies and energies continue to occupy the fringes of our society. Yet, many such efforts to improve the relationship between humans and Nature offer real potential for reversing the present destructive dynamic and are still relatively unknown and ignored. One prime example is the holistic approach to agriculture, community, ecology and economics referred to as permaculture.

In this thesis, urban community planning, ecology, agriculture and architecture are united in a detailed proposal to repurpose 260 hectares of Ottawa’s 375-hectare Central Experimental Farm as an urban-suburban model for highly-sustainable residential and agricultural projects. The title of this envisioned project is, The Ottawa Permaculture Initiative (OPI).