3.50 ConEd Learning Hours
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

To attend this session, registrants must meet in the Conference Lounge: Provinces & Confederation I Kreitmaker Experiential Learning Dispatch Hub + Foyer of the Westin Ottawa Hotel

Explore Pindigen Park—a compelling example of creative urban transformation and collaboration. Designed as a temporary yet impactful landscape on decontaminated brownfield land, this park offers designers a case study in innovation, cultural storytelling, and adaptive design strategies.
The park’s dynamic landforms, salvaged materials, and curated plantings form an immersive environment that frames significant landmarks, including the Canadian War Museum and Holocaust Monument. Indigenous art and interpretive panels, with text in Algonquin, English, and French, share the Anishinabe philosophy of living well—a balance between land, water, air, and people.
Pindigen, meaning Come in, all are welcome, exemplifies a thoughtful integration of sustainability, Indigenous collaboration, and placemaking, offering valuable lessons in designing spaces that honour culture, history, and environmental stewardship.

This session is Level 3 (Moderately Active). Dress for weather conditions and wear comfortable footwear and clothing, including a hat for sun protection) The site is universally accessible, with some surfaces being stone-dust. Cosider bringing a refillable water bottle, high-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses, and your camera.

Please note: Participants will gather and depart from the Kreitmaker Experiential Learning Dispatch Hub located in the Conference Lounge.

Learning Objectives
1. Discover innovative strategies for sustainable and adaptive design on brownfield sites.
2. Examine how salvaged and natural materials were creatively reused.
3. Learn how storytelling and Indigenous collaboration shape meaningful public spaces.
4. Understand how landscape design can enhance visual and cultural connections to key landmarks.

Marietta Ruhland, Ruhland & Associates Ltd.
Patrick Bunting, National Capital Commission

To register, click here. 

To return to Conference Program, click here.