IN THIS BLOG
- Taza is shaped by four guiding pillars: Community and Connectivity, Cultural Influences, Nature and Connection to the Land, and Economic Diversity. Together, they shape how the development is planned, experienced, and grown across each village.
- Taza is rooted in Tsuut’ina Nation values and built through a genuine partnership between Tsuut’ina Nation and Canderel. It reflects a long-term vision for community development grounded in culture, stewardship, connection, and shared prosperity.
- The four pillars touch every part of Taza, from public spaces and cultural storytelling to environmental planning and economic opportunity. They shape how people connect to the land, experience community, and help build Taza’s future.
Set on Tsuut’ina Nation along Calgary’s southwest edge, Taza represents a new model for community near Calgary. Here, development moves with intention, culture weaves into the fabric of everyday life, and partnership, stewardship, and shared vision create long-term prosperity.
Taza began with something foundational: a vision rooted in Tsuut’ina values, culture, and connection to the land. This vision came long before roads, storefronts, or gathering spaces began to take shape.
Today, that vision is coming to life across Taza’s villages—Taza Park, Buffalo Run, and The Crossing—through four guiding pillars: Community and Connectivity, Cultural Influences, Nature and Connection to the Land, and Economic Diversity.
These pillars are more than ideas. They shape the experience of Taza at every level, influencing how planners design communities, how people connect, and how businesses grow. They also guide how the master-planned development expresses culture throughout.
Built on partnership, designed for connection
Pillar: Community and connectivity
Before Taza became a connected network of villages, gathering spaces, and shared experiences, it began with a partnership grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared vision. That partnership between Tsuut’ina Nation and Canderel continues to shape the way Taza grows, guided by a shared commitment to community, connection, and long-term prosperity.
Across Taza’s villages, connectivity shows up in more than the physical design of the development. It’s also reflected in the experiences it creates. Gathering spaces, retail destinations, pathways, and future residential neighbourhoods are all designed with one goal in mind. Each encourages everyday moments of connection between people, culture, and place.
Positioned along Calgary’s southwest edge, Taza creates an important bridge between Tsuut’ina Nation and Calgary. It connects communities, not just geographies. Through shared spaces, local businesses, and cultural experiences, Taza brings people together. These connections help build relationships and foster a deeper understanding of the land, culture, and people that shape the development.
The Canderel case study, Taza Park: Where Partnership, Culture, and Community Shape a New Model for Development, explores how this collaborative approach continues to shape both the growth and the experiences created within the community.
United by resilience
Pillar: Cultural influences
Culture has long shaped the story of Tsuut’ina Nation and continues to influence Taza today.
Tsuut’ina Nation has remained deeply connected to its language, culture, and community, guided by generations of traditional knowledge and ancestral wisdom. At the same time, it continues to progress with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a forward-thinking approach. This balance between heritage and innovation continues to influence the character of Taza and the future of its villages.
Throughout the development, Tsuut’ina language, storytelling, public art, and design inspiration are woven into everyday experiences, helping create spaces that reflect the enduring spirit and identity of the Nation. These influences shape not only how Taza looks, but how it feels to gather, connect, and experience the community itself.
That sense of identity is strengthened through cultural celebrations, community events, and shared experiences hosted throughout the year. From holiday gatherings like Under the Stars to community flagship events like Something Wondrous, these moments create opportunities for residents and visitors alike to engage with the stories, traditions, and values that continue to shape Taza.
United by resilience, Taza reflects a collective future shaped by cultural traditions, connection, and shared opportunity.
STEWARDSHIP AS A WAY OF BUILDING
Pillar: Nature and connection to the land
For Tsuut’ina Nation, the land is more than a backdrop for development. It is a source of life, knowledge, and connection, shaping the values and decisions that continue to guide Taza today.
Taza takes only what is needed and shows gratitude for what the land provides. This relationship with the natural world shapes how the team plans, designs, and delivers each village. Every choice strengthens the connection between people and the surrounding landscape. This shows up in environmental planning, pathways, gathering spaces, and natural areas.
Rather than building against the land, Taza moves with it. Thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship, and intentional design run throughout the development. Emerging technologies and long-term strategies also support adaptability and responsible growth for future generations.
Tsuut’ina development laws and civic procedures further reinforce these principles, guiding sustainable and intentional growth across the community. Together, these approaches reflect a broader commitment to land stewardship rooted in respect, responsibility, and long-term thinking.
Taza’s focus on Nature and Connection to the Land means building with intention today. This approach creates a foundation for communities, opportunities, and future generations to thrive together tomorrow.
Shared prosperity for generations
Pillar: Economic Diversity
From the very beginning, Tsuut’ina Nation and Canderel envisioned Taza as more than a development. They imagined it as a long-term opportunity to create shared prosperity for Tsuut’ina Nation, surrounding communities, and future generations.
Today, that vision is taking shape across Taza’s villages. It’s coming to life through a growing mix of residential communities, retail destinations, professional services, and future innovation spaces. Each is designed to support both economic growth and everyday life.
That entrepreneurial spirit remains central to the future of Taza. From established destinations like The Shops at Buffalo Run to current leasing and development opportunities, Taza continues to create space for local businesses, Indigenous entrepreneurs, national retailers, and communities to grow together. These opportunities continue to shape a dynamic and connected community rooted in collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking.
As the development evolves, Taza also continues to create opportunities for employment, investment, and collaboration across Tsuut’ina Nation and Calgary. Supported by intentional design and a long-term vision for sustainable growth, Taza continues to attract residents, businesses, and visitors looking to be part of a connected and forward-looking community.
At its heart, Economic Diversity is about creating opportunities that extend beyond business alone, helping build a future where communities, ideas, and people can thrive together.
Together, Taza’s four pillars continue to shape how the community grows, connects, and evolves, influencing everything from design and development to culture, opportunity, and everyday experiences. More than guiding principles, they reflect a long-term commitment to building communities rooted in connection, resilience, stewardship, and shared prosperity.
Explore the vision that continues to shape the future of Taza, and stay up-to-date on upcoming events, community updates, residential opportunities and future developments by subscribing to our newsletter and connecting with us on social media.
