Recently-released renderings for a proposed downtown Vancouver housing development — which would have 11 towers up to 56 storeys high, retail space, a ton of greenery and very little parking — are creating a lot of buzz today.

The Senakw project, led by Squamish Nation, is slated to house 6,000 mostly-rental apartment units in tall, sleek, rounded buildings that look like something out of a utopian future.

And in many ways, the development is quite utopian and futuristic: an innovative Indigenous-led project on reclaimed Indigenous land, a massive construction project in a major Canadian city that actually makes environmental considerations a priority, and a condo that will offer residents ample amenities and public green spaces that occupy a whopping 80 per cent of its 11-acre property.

The ambitious development's buildings — along with having Indigenous design and tenor from their landscaping down to their doorknobs — will be carbon-neutral and have energy-efficient measures in place.

Precedent setting: Squamish Nation becomes a major Vancouver developer on reserve land. 11 towers, 6,000 units, multiple parks, green energy and green design, planned transit. With @westbank. https://t.co/cPrP2ttlGT

— Jennifer Keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) November 5, 2019

The towers will also only have parking spaces for 10 per cent of their units, in the interest of the planet. Residents will be encouraged to instead use alternatives like public transit, walking and cycling, and those options will be made convenient for them.

Because the development is being built on sovereign land, it is not required to abide by anachronistic standards for a certain ratio of parking spaces to units. It also does not require any City approval.

It’s beautiful and striking, and has the added bonus of being self-determined and practical. Can’t wait to hear the Squamish Nation’s decision on this.

— Caitlin Rowe (@caitlinjeaneliz) November 5, 2019

The proposed Kitsilano-area community, which is not the only housing development Squamish Nation has planned, has the backing by partner Westbank and collaborators such as PFS Studio, Revery Architecture and Public Work.

Construction is proposed to commence in early 2021, to be finished within five years, but will only go forward if it is approved by members of Squamish Nation at a referendum on December 10.