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“The model community is not the community that is built perfect the first time, but its the old community that has gone through decades of problems and has much experience. It is the process of improving of these types of communities that sets a model for other areas. Sutherland's unique approach to modernization is centered around an environmentally friendly theme. While in the process of building a truly novel metropolitan business district, Sutherland will at no point neglect the importance of the environment. This will be reflected through our infrastructure, housing, recreation, and various bylaws. Over time, as the new "perfect" communities decay and fall into their own disarray, they will then look upon how this old district was improved to look new again.”
- ——Sutherland 2020 Committee, June 2005
Our Environmentally Friendly Plan
The environment has always been a big part of the lives of the people living in Saskatoon. We believe that a healthy green earth is an essential part of every community. With the expected explosion of technologies that the future is sure to bring, now is the time to start planning for ways to protect mother nature. One of the main focus points of New Sutherland will be its 'Green Plan'. Every aspect of this neighbourhood will incorporate ways to save the earth. For example, with the introduction of the new housing units, we plan to integrate geothermal insulation and heating, as a means of energy conservation. Bike lanes and Carpool lanes will be added to all major roads, to promote green transportation. The city will also be responsible for planting and maintaining over 1500 new trees, which will ensure a "Green" future for Sutherland.
Infrastructure
The current state of Sutherland is a scenic drive past houses falling into disrepaire, trees that are growing much too old, and unkept lawns. Much of this is due to resident misuse/apathy. The plan for the housing is to bring it all under the responsibility of the city. Older, classical victorian housing will be kept where possible. Unfortunately, eventually during the course of our drive for a cleaner high density New Sutherland, some of these houses will be torn down over time. It may not be within 2020, but as Sutherland matures, housing will consist of units that burrow deep into the ground and reach high into the sky to save space.
The entrance onto Central Avenue from College Drive will be decorated with a 'rainbow' gateway; the Gateway to the Future. It will allow people to get a sense that they are entering a new area. The arc will span a wide avenue of 6 lanes, along with a green boulevard in the middle; the drive itself will be a scenic adventure. The roads will be paved using a new sound reducing tile system that is being tested down in California. The road, which is composed of bricks saturated with rubber, is hoped to reduce noise polution from cars.
The Rainbow archs are shown to the right.
Unfortunately, redesigning the entirety of Central Avenue is quite impractical. What has been proposed is that the current shops along the west side of Central be converted into housing units, while bigger structures be placed along the east. Fixing many of the privately owned stores will be impossible, but relocating them to better buildings across the street is a more cost effective alternative. Likewise, the larger, taller buildings will provide somewhat of a sound barrier to minimize the sound pollution coming from Sutherland Industrial, which will only grow denser and more active with the increasing population in New Sutherland. Thus, by implementing all these changes, we are increasing New Sutherlands population capacity while minimalizing harm to the environment in and around the community.
Transportation
To help counter the effects pollution will have on New Sutherland, a few things have been implemented on the main throughfares, namely 108th Street, 115th Street, and Central Avenue. Firstly, the road will be widened to fit an extra lane used for carpool cars only, that is, cars with more than one passenger. Secondly, bike lanes will be implemented for a healthy, environmentally friendly alternative. As an added feature, we hope to only allow the Biobusses into New Sutherland. This policy hypothetically reflects the expansion of public transportation using canola fuel in the future. Hopefully, these new features wiull make New Sutherland a more pleasant, green plance to live and drive in.
Bicycle lanes promote alternate and healthier means of transportation. It is part of Sutherland’s environmental protection and “Get some exercise” program. The car pool lanes will hopefully cut down on pollution produced from one-person cars. Although it will cut deeply into the convenience of Saskatoon Transit, it is proposed that only busses running on canola fuel will be allowed into New Sutherland. With all of these options and today's health-concious minds of Saskatoonians, the mission of a healthy environment shall progress to reach success.
Furthermore, because Sutherland is very much a self-sustaining community, almost every necessary service is within reach of Sutherland boundaries. This opens the door to walking in as the new preferred and easy method of transportation.
Housing
Project 2020 begins in 2008, when planning ends and the destruction of buildings begin. Brand new, original,unique houses will be created and will replace the damaged and worn out buildings. These older buildings are currently only 45% occupied. The housing improvements will certainly attract more people.
These new houses will be more environmentally friendly and conserve more energy. The new housing units will be built lower in the ground. This will enable the houses to take full advantage of geothermal heating and insulation as part of our environment friendly plan. Recycled materials may play a part of the construction of housing. Water efficiency within housing units is also stressed. Through water efficient toilets, shower-heads, sink-taps, etc., mass water conservation may be achieved. These are all ideas that will be strived for, but not necessarily achieved on such a time-span. They will be introduced and implemented slowly through the construction and planning processes.
The aim for Sutherland residential architecture is to be a mosaic; promoting diversity. The wide variety of housing will hopefully attract a wider variety or residents: Singles, students, families, seniors, etc. The city is responsible for the housing designs to ensure their efficient building costs. Moreover, making the most efficient use of space by building underground and up, big structures such as "the Hype" has very low rental costs because property taxes will be less. Students are all given 10% discounts. The prices therefore will be fairly reasonable. The affordability comes from the much anticipated population explosion. With the amount of people wanting places to live, land costs will sky rocket making buying individual houses impractical due to high land costs. Thus, instead of paying property tax, tennants will only have to pay a maintainece fee to cover the costs of keeping teh building operational and in a comfortable living condition.
The housing in Sutherland will be owned primarily by the city. They are rented out like regular apartments and the tenants pay for upkeep costs instead of paying property taxes. Because the buildings will be built upward and downward instead of outwards, the houses will take up less room. Thus, it becomes more important for the owner to pay an upkeep cost rather than paying for their land. To encourage this plan, a new “Premium Policy” will be put into action. The “Premium Policy” will be created in order to protect the aesthetic assets of the neighborhood because New Sutherland is supposed to look presentable, clean, and safe. Owners or tenants living in houses must make sure the houses are ‘presentable’ from the outside. Every year, a Board of Members will be elected in Sutherland. If the house has fallen into disrepair, and the owner has been neglecting it, the rent will increase for the next year. However, if the house reaches required expectations, the rent lowers for the next term. This idea is partly based off of the successful car insurance points system operated by SGI, with some fine-tuning.
The Hype
Our greatest project is to construct a large structure with a rotating structure at its top. It is home to very high density housing – housing of the future. This large spinning structure will be known as the “Hype”. Extending 28 stories above and 6 stories below, the Hype maintains a self-sustaining ecosystem in itself. The "Hype" will be New Sutherlands show piece as a model to other communities. The purpose of it, it to provide high density housing to University students at an affordable price. Being built upwards and out, it makes show of how a structure of its size can hold a large ammount of people while taking up only a fraction of land that is usually required. Furthermore, it is a show of how parks need not be on the ground, but can also be suspended and add that much needed flare to the life of the building. As with most other concepts in New Sutherland, helping the environment is a promminent theme. It is the much needed addition to Sutherland that begs for modernization. The "Hype" will be one of the last structures to be completed, as 4 square blocks will have to be cleared of housing before this structure can be built. Depending on Saskatoon’s development at the time, the “Hype” can even become the central symbol of Saskatoon, similar to the CN Tower being a symbol of Toronto.
The Hype is shown to the right.
Bylaws/Policies
- Vandalism will be heavily penalized. Fines begin at $200. Any graffiti found will especially receive the zero-tolerance policy. Three repeat offences will result in a $1500 fine or a year in jail.
- Sutherland will be home to Saskatoon's most efficient Neighborhood Watch programs. The heavy fines levied compensates for the amount of reward in tips towards solving crimes in the neighborhood, ranging from $500 to $1500.
- Bike lanes will be paved on every major throughfare. Every public place will be required to have bike parks and locks. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in heavy fines ranging from $1000 and up.
- Regular garbage cleaning crews will conduct bi-weekly clean-up operations, and is also in charge of recycling. Must enforce the motto of 3-cleans: "Live clean, breathe clean, and feel clean."
- Elementary school students will be required to have monthly "environment days", where children go around the neighborhood doing environmentally friendly things, I.E., cleaning up garbage, planting trees and shrubs, etc.
“Multicultural Koo”
New Sutherland will be equipped with a center for all cultures that wish to participate and contribute tradition through businesses and special events. Folkfest pavilions will be moved to this building to unite all ethnic backgrounds which live in Saskatoon. Stages and banquet halls will be provided for all organizations who wish to host cultural events. Banquet halls will have to be booked before time of the occasions. Stores can open up in this center to sell imported products from foreign homelands. The Cultural centre provides an opportunity for large gatherings of different peoples, religiouns, cultures, and backgrounds. This diversity can be directed to promote a happier, more comfortable community. A friendly environment will start from the people of New Sutherland and the "Multicultural Koo" will kick it off nicely.
School
Because two schools will be demolished to make room for housing and other forms of architecture, a new school will be created. It is large enough to combine the two elementary school's together and fit over 2000 children. The school is a mix of public school children, religious, and Ukranian immersion students. The playground of the school is located indoors, and there is a football field outside for athletic/track purposes.
The architecture of the school is very contemporary with jutting structures and many levels. The 'dome' is the auditorium, where different events can be held. The design carries on with the diverse architecture and theme of the New Sutherland neighborhood.
Park
With the addition of many new technological implements, New Sutherland has also incorporated a large park. The Park spans an area of an entire square block, and is the centre for many of the recreational activites held in New Sutherland.
The main attraction of Sutherland Park is the large fountain, which lies in the northwest corner. The large central fountain is surrounded by four smaller fountain at each side, these fountains serve an asthetic purpose, as well as feeding the two streams. These streams are shallow, and lined with rocks on the bottom. They feed directlt into the small artificial lake at the southern end of the park. The lake will be maintained by cleanup crews every other day, and as a result, the water will be great for swimming. At the bottom of the lake are two hidden drainage holes, which pump water back up to the fountains, where the cycle begins anew. In the winter time, the water in the park will be allowed to freeze over in order to create a small skating rink.
At various places it becomes nessicary for the paths to intersect with the streams. Small bridges, made entirely of glass, will be placed here. The glass bridges will have a rough surface to ensure safety, and will make a contemporary touch to the Park. The park benches will also be constructed entirely out of glass. Because of the high risk of vandalism involved with so many glass implements, heavy fines are inposed upon any who vandlize public property. This will be enforced in part by the Neighbourhood Watch program, which offers up to 1500 dollars in rewards for those who help to catch perpetrators of vandalism.
Evenings are when the Park really shines. Lightposts are placed at various places in the park. Lights that fit closer to the ground will be strategically hidden inside the many bushes surrounding the glass benches, and under the small glass bridges which will add an extra touch of beauty.
Business
Although Central Avenue will boast its own multitude of shops, restaurants, and other commercial buildings, the center of business will be set in the grand display of "The Two Celeries". Like our other large structures, the Two Celeries will benefit from geothermal energy and has room both underground and above for office space. This makes a very spacious business environment in the middle of a modern-design business district.
Rates are generally reasonable for rent. New Sutherland will try its best in welcoming investment from small businesses that are just beginning. The first ten stories plus all underground space has smaller working spaces, but are rented at discounted prices to those conisdered small businesses. Large scale multi-story complexes can be chosen to be rented entirely. Those who also happen to reside in the residential complexes around the "Two Celeries" will not only benefit from the convenience of location and save the headache of travel, but also receive "rent packages" offering a yearly discounted fee for parking, security, children's daycare, residence, as well as office space. The business centers will attract a whole new scope of people to diversify and enrich the New Sutherland community.
Conclusion
The re-creation of Sutherland will begin in the upcoming years. A city is only as strong as it's weakest neighborhood, and Sutherland is a good place to start. The goal is for New Sutherland to set an example neighborhood for Saskatoon. The combination of new technology, ideas, and architecture, with the theme of "saving mother earth" truly makes New Sutherland a model community for which neighborhoods will strive to become, and more importantly, a defining beacon of hope.