The area is undergoing major changes, largely due to the construction of the Ontario  Line (OL). This new 15.6km rapid transit line, with interchanges to Lines 1, 2, and 5 of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), will connect downtown Toronto to Eglinton  Avenue, going through Thorncliffe Park. 

An elevated guideway segment will be constructed parallel to and along the northwest side of Overlea Boulevard, with a  station proposed at the intersection with Thorncliffe Park Drive. Overlea Boulevard will be upgraded to a complete street in part through the OL project, and an Operations, Maintenance & Storage Facility (OMSF) for the OL will be built and take up the land northwest of the study area. 

As a result of these changes in land use, Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) are proposed to the northwest of Overlea  Boulevard to introduce a new form of urban model. 

Employment land conversion through TOC calls for a closer look at how the new development settles into its context with  Overlea Boulevard as the central spine,  especially considering incompatible adjacent land uses like a major hydro substation, the future OMSF rail storage yard, and the OL elevated guideway which limits access and creates public realm challenges. 

Approx. site area:

•  17 acres in size. The site is generally flat and of sufficient size to consider as a precinct.

Key Information

• The wider neighbourhood is home to a large and diverse immigrant community of newcomer, younger and lower-income families living in mostly high-rise and townhouse developments, with large South Asian representation.

Priority areas & main expectations:

Students should develop a holistic mini-precinct plan that promotes livability, equity and resilience, with a special focus on the following priorities: 

1. Introduce public art and strategies to activate the public realm at prominent locations.

2. Connect the new Thorncliffe Park transit station to the existing neighbourhood by creating a walkable public realm. 

3. Integrate green infrastructure and low-impact development.

• Address land use incompatibility to create an attractive environment that supports the creation of new housing, businesses and jobs. 

I'm interested! What next?

• Take a look at the Site Form and access the Dataroom to learn more about the site. Both are available under the 'Documentation' tab on this page. 

• Form your team. Feel free to fill out the Team Up Form to connect with new teammates and bring more diversity & expertise to your team. 

• Register your team by clicking the button at the top of the page.