Representatives from Northcrest Developments enjoyed an opportunity to learn from 70 of the GTA’s brightest young students recently at a Design Jam for its 370-acre Downsview property in Toronto.
The Downsview Design Jam event was organized by Urban Minds, a local non-profit with a mandate to engage young people in creating more equitable and sustainable cities, as part of its 1UP Conference.
The local students were gathered to brainstorm during a charrette with designers and event planners from Northcrest, which owns the 370 acres of the former Downsview Airport property.
The developer has submitted a major mixed-use secondary plan for the property with the City of Toronto but the time horizon for development is so extended — buildout for the whole 520 acres, including the other 150 acres owned by Canada Lands, is 30 years — that the developer is soliciting shorter-term “activation” ideas.
“It was a super exciting opportunity for us to get involved,” said Northcrest director of programming Alana Mercury.
“It’s those young voices that we want to hear because it’s possibly them who will be living on these lands. So to hear what they have in mind in terms of how they want to live, be and experience the space was just a great opportunity to engage with them directly.”
Park wants to have impact
The broader redeveloped Downsview community will eventually provide homes for 80,000 to 110,000 new residents and jobs for 47,000 workers.
William Lyon Mackenzie student Daniel Park, 17, who lives locally, was a member of one of the winning teams at the Downsview Design Jam and said he welcomed the opportunity to have an impact on his community.
“I just love spaces that bring people together and create inclusive social environments, that’s definitely on the top of my list,” said Park. “Also being sustainable, being green. Young people today, we are definitely facing a future that is highly uncertain. We know what’s going on with climate change in the world today.
“For us to be that generation to understand that it’s a crucial problem that we have to address, bringing forward impactful and innovative green solutions that our generation will definitely have an impact on, I really look forward to what we bring to the table.”
Toronto region participated in the recent Downsview
lands Design Jam.
Park’s team was the winner of the People’s Choice Award. His group of five students proposed a pedestrian walkway with kinetic energy tiles to power lighting, wind blockers to channel wind for cooling purposes, and containers for an industrial vibe, outdoor cinema, arts programming and job fairs.
The overall Design Jam winning team submitted a plan with a focus on accessibility and affordability including a community greenhouse. Ideas included community programming, artists’ residencies, a skateboard park, playground for children and benches with a view of the Toronto skyline.
“Some of those ideas they brought to us might even come to life if we have the ability to do so,” said Mercury.
Students learn about urban planning
Beyond being an exercise to generate design and activity ideas, the event represented a chance for young people to learn about the process of urban planning, development and architecture.
Urban Minds co-executive director Ryan Lo said he heard from students who said how valuable it was to have the time and space to connect with professionals in those fields.
“There’s a shortage in all the different industries. I know from our friends at the OPPI (Ontario Professional Planners Institute), they’ve been telling me there’s a shortage of planners. So being able to inspire these students and really expose them to some of the possible career paths that they could pursue is really good.”
Park plans to attend university next year taking courses in business and political science. He said his participation in the Design Jam was not about improving his resume or networking.
“It’s very crucial to have these types of skills and experiences, to be on the ground, making a real impact,” he said. “Because this Downsview lands project is a real project that had real life implications.”
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