Rendering of the proposed pedestrian street along the former runway framed by mid-rise development with a variety of activities occurring along its length including outdoor dining, children playing and people strolling. Credit: Northcrest DevelopmentsNorthcrest Developments has launched a global design competition for the Runway at YZD in Toronto, formerly home to the historic Downsview airport.The YZD Runway Design Competition will ask cross-disciplinary design teams to transform the 2-km airstrip into a key centerpiece for the future series of mixed-use communities across the expansive 370 acres.Rendering of a public square in the higher density transit nodes of the plan. Credit: Northcrest DevelopmentsThe competition will also task global design teams, led by a registered landscape architect, with developing a holistic set of design guidelines for the runway which will shape its future and inform how it connects and interacts with the sites neighbourhoods.The Runway at YZD is envisioned as an unparalleled outdoor experience with a pedestrian-focused and publicly-accessible corridor that will become a destination for visitors to experience its creative public spaces.Rendering of a proposed broad underpass below the rail corridor including a public street but primarily illustrating a generous open space connection to Downsview Park providing habitat, stormwater and open space connections below the rail corridor. Credit: Northcrest DevelopmentsThe former airstrip links the seven complete communities at YZD, and will also be animated by community uses, public amenities, and recreation opportunities for the 55,000 residents and 23,000 workers that will eventually live, work and visit the site.This competition presents an extraordinary opportunity for design teams to make their mark by reimagining a cherished piece of Torontos industrial heritage into a world-class, public space where people can gather, explore, and enjoy, said Kristy Shortall, senior vice president of Development at Northcrest Developments. The Runway is the heart of YZD, and it embodies our ambitions of creating complete communities that are vibrant, sustainable, and connected. Were excited to see the level of talent and creativity that will emerge to help bring this vision to life.Hangar District Ancaster West Rendering. Credit: Northcrest DevelopmentsAward-winning urban designer, city-building advocate, and authorKen Greenberg will chair the competition jury, alongside other design, development, and placemaking experts.The Runway at YZD reflects a growing understanding that reusingrather than demolishingoutdated urban infrastructure can become a great source of identity and uniqueness for successful neighbourhoods, said Greenberg. YZD is an incredible city-building opportunity for not only Toronto, but North America, and the Runway will set the tone for much of whats to come.The competition will consist of two phases. The first one will see global design teams submit Expressions of Interest. For phase two, Northcrest Developments will issue closed Requests for Proposals to shortlisted teams. Once selected, the winning team will start work on the YZD Runway Design guidelines in Q3 2025.Hangar District Atrium Rendering. Credit: Northcrest DevelopmentsFor many years, Northcrest has implemented a Meanwhile Use strategy, activating several areas of the site with free community-focused events, pop-ups, partnerships with local businesses and arts, and other cultural and recreation opportunities. These include the annual Play on the Runway, Hangar Skate, and Tee Up Downsview, a public art-infused mini golf experience. The recently opened YZD Experience Centre and Plaza has transformed the Bay 12 Hangar into a hub designed to educate the public on the future of YZD, alongside various activities.Our Meanwhile Use strategy has been instrumental in turning YZD into a vibrant community by opening this historically closed space and welcoming the public in. From our perspective, its a preview of the inclusive community were shaping, with the Runway poised to be a key magnet in the future. These actiations are just the begining of what YZD and, critically, the future Runway will offer as a destination for residents and visitors alike, said Shortall.For more details about the YZD Design Competition, visit yzd.ca/runwaydesign. Submissions for Expression of Interest are due at 11:59 p.m. EST on November 22, 2024.The post Design competition launches to reimagine former airport runway appeared first on Canadian Architect.