In this episode of Challenger Cities, host Iain Montgomery sits down with Chris Eby, Executive Vice President of Northcrest, to explore one of Toronto’s most ambitious urban redevelopment projects: the transformation of the Downsview lands (YZD). Chris shares the vision for this 520-acre project, which promises to shift Toronto’s center of gravity north, creating a network of vibrant, walkable neighborhoods centered around sustainability, public spaces, and transit integration.

From reimagining a 2.1-kilometer runway into Toronto’s answer to New York’s Highline to tackling stormwater management with a groundbreaking “sponge city” approach, Chris explains how YZD is redefining what a city can be. Along the way, they discuss the challenges of urban planning in Toronto, the lessons learned from Sidewalk Labs, and the cultural factors  ...