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Thoughtful Moves. Transformative Impact.

Our Approach

The decisions we make today will define how tens of thousands of Torontonians will live for decades to come. Getting it right is no small task. YZD is about deciding and building better, to create spaces that inspire us, empower us, and endure for us and the future.

How can YZD ensure that what we envision actually gets built? We are guided by a Responsible Development Framework that sets the guardrails for five interconnected pillars to create a better quality of life we can measure and constantly improve.

1 Climate Readiness

We’re Getting Ready for the Future.

YZD carries dual responsibilities: to advance climate action in the development industry and to anticipate the environmental realities of future generations. Given its scale, we have a unique opportunity to be course correctors, scale up innovative solutions, and in effect, address the industry’s known impacts. While our environmental future holds many unknowns, we are certain that our choices—from the materials we use to the roads we design—create major ripple effects. With that, it is essential that our approach is meticulously considered, grounded in the deep understanding that every move builds towards a future that is more resilient.

Building Blocks

Decarbonization

Minimize emissions wherever possible across the whole project and beyond. This includes:

Operational emissions
Embodied emissions
Transportation emissions
Land-use emissions
Other emissions

We’re Getting Ready for the Future

Build a community prepared for future climate conditions and resilient to climate-related risks. This includes:

Design for a warmer climate
Seasonal air quality issues
Extreme weather events
Community resilience systems

TransformTO

The City of Toronto Climate Action Plan calls for zero net greenhouse gas emissions, city-wide, by 2040. This program is supported by the Toronto Green Standard for new development that calls for all new construction to be net zero emissions before 2030, as well as forthcoming Building Performance Standards which will regulate existing building emissions.

2 City Nature

The Antidote to City Challenges Lies in Nature.

We believe that ecosystems and biodiversity enhance the urban environment. Healthy soil, clean water and air, and diverse native plants and wildlife can reshape our urban landscapes, providing access to nature and creating microclimates that promote comfort and wellness throughout the year.
City nature can harness natural systems to absorb rainwater where it falls, offer spaces to grow food and medicinal plants, develop a network of green spaces like connected veins, and nurture trees to grow strong and tall. Our vision integrates nature into urban life, embedding green spaces and natural elements into the core of our communities.

Building Blocks

Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity

Improve ecosystem health and support thriving nature in an urban context. This includes:

Soil quality
Water pollution
Air pollution
Plant health and diversity
Healthy urban wildlife
Invasive species and pest management

Ecosystem Services

Leverage natural systems to provide tangible physical and/or economic benefits to environmental quality, infrastructure functioning, or economic production. This includes:

Stormwater management
Environmental management
Agriculture/production

Engaging with Nature

Understand and incorporate the physiological and psychological ways that people connect to nature in urban development. This includes:

Parks and greenspace
Urban greenery
Biophilic design

A Closer Look: Stormwater Management

We are advancing plans for a “sponge city” approach to catch, store and clean stormwater through our parks and landscapes. Solutions seek to manage flood risks, and also improve ecosystem hydrology and enhance our green spaces for the community to enjoy. This is one of many examples that shows the interdependence of the five pillars and how a holistic approach is necessary to achieve BUILDING BLOCKS Quality of Life.

3 Urban Mobility

Prioritizing People Over Engines.

Mobility is essential to a thriving community. We embrace a diverse range of affordable and sustainable transport options, seamlessly connecting districts and linking YZD to the broader city. Our approach builds on existing transit networks, emphasizing ease, safety, and connectivity.

By supporting new transportation technologies and reducing vehicle congestion through designated spaces, efficient infrastructure and considerate planning, we aim to create a human-centered urban environment. Transportation should be designed to put people first, addressing the ways cities have long overlooked the very individuals they are designed to serve.

Building Blocks

Mode-split Hierarchy

Ensure access for multiple modes of transportation, while prioritizing overall community goals over individual mobility-mode optimization. This includes:

Pedestrian environment
Transit
Safe cycling and micromobility
Car/truck access

Network Connectivity

Ensure safe efficient connection to the broader city to maximize socio-economic opportunities for those living and working in North Toronto and the city as a whole. This includes:

Connection to interchange transit hubs
Bike network linkages
Completing the street grid

Transportation

Support the technology shift to more sustainable urban transportation solutions. This includes:

Electric mobility
Micromobility
Autonomous mobility
Urban-scale vehicles
Transportation management systems and processes

Vehicle Burden

Minimize the infrastructure, space, and materials required to support vehicles. This includes:

Minimize parking areas
Right-size roadways
Efficient loading areas

4 Inclusive Prosperity

Opening More Doors.

YZD seeks to create a more inclusive community where abundant opportunities invite everyone to connect, contribute, and succeed. We will shape neighbourhoods and support local employment, services and amenities, so opportunities feel plentiful and always within reach. Our commitment extends to fostering a vibrant tapestry of cultures and backgrounds, where diverse residents find a place to thrive. We are dedicated to cultivating a sense of unity, where shared spaces and community initiatives flourish, creating a dynamic environment that nurtures community-led growth and opportunity.

Building Blocks

Social Infrastructure

Support the provision of essential social services and public amenities. This includes:

Education
Childcare
Eldercare
Health services
Recreation services
Other social infrastructure

Inclusion

Remove barriers that have been faced by the historically disadvantaged. This will be achieved with early engagement and integration of the facilities, places and spaces that are needed to meet diverse needs and abilities, while creating a welcoming environment. This includes:

Accessibility
Racial/ethnic inclusion
Gender/LGBTQ+ inclusion

Affordability

Implement strategies that reduce costs of living and increase economic access to YZD. This includes:

Housing affordability
Access to food
Costs of transportation
Other costs of living

Economic Opportunity

Expand economic opportunities related to the development and future operation of YZD. This includes:

Workforce development
Entrepreneurship and production
Social procurement
Local economic development
Innovation
Worker health and safety

5 Quality of Place

Elevating Lives Through Thoughtful Design.

Art and culture form a city’s soul. Through thoughtful architecture, urban design, landscaping, and placemaking, we aspire to create spaces that inspire joy and play. Our goal is to build environments where public spaces, amenities, and transportation are not just functional but also delightful and engaging. Details are curated to encourage communal gatherings, spark moments of joy, and elevate everyday experiences. By celebrating our rich history, integrating arts and culture, and prioritizing well-being, we aim to craft beautiful spaces that people connect to and take meaning from.

Building Blocks

Design Excellence

Ensure the quality of architecture, urban design, landscaping, and placemaking from design through construction. This includes:

Placemaking
Beauty
Quality
Functionality
Responsible materials

Culture

Integrate culture through design, tenanting and activation. This includes:

Art
Music
Performance and entertainment
Food
Sport
Fun
Community gathering

Heritage

Celebrate the rich and varied history of the site. This includes:

Built heritage
Historical landscapes
Indigenous heritage

Complete Community

Include a wide and comprehensive mix of amenities to meet daily needs and provide opportunities for joy, ensuring that everything from jobs to homes to parks to community facilities are within a 15-minute walking or rolling distance. This includes:

Activated streets
Workplaces
Goods and services
Dining and drinking
Things to do
Parks and open space
Social infrastructure
Transportation

Well-Being

Design for the physical, mental and social well-being of future residents. This includes:

Public safety
Health and wellness
Community cohesion and belonging

Responsible Development Resources

Community engagement is at the heart of all we do. From the start, we have engaged widely on this once-in-a-generation opportunity. YZD will become a globally recognized mixed-use community, shaped with and for the people of Toronto.

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It Takes Community to Build a Community

Since day one, YZD has been shaped through collaboration—with local residents, organizations, and artists all playing a role in its transformation. YZD isn’t just happening in the community—it’s happening with the community.