A village founded by the Bata family in 1939 has been slowly dwindling since its only industry – shoemaking – disappeared with the Bata factory closure in 1999. Sonja Bata wants Carleton’s help to transform the village into a model of design and sustainable development.
Katherine Graham is coordinating the project that had 27 architecture and industrial design students live in the village for a six-week period this summer. They are tasked with developing visions for areas of need, such as how to use the empty shoe factory, modernizing the current Batawa ski hill into a year-round resort and education centre, and revitalizing the surrounding village with increased residential space and a new village centre.
Using sustainable development practices and partnering with the community, the idea is to create a village that is beautiful by nature and design. Professor Patricia Ballamingie, geography and environmental studies, is developing an urban agricultural strategy to turn Batawa into a community-based food system and central marketplace for Quinte West produce.
As the project progresses, it will encompass other university programs from journalism to environmental science.
Visit http://now.carleton.ca/2009-08/2317.htm for more information.