A disused airport in north-west Toronto, Canada, is set to be transformed into a sprawling new city in a £16 billion redevelopment project. Downsview Airport, which first opened nearly a century ago, will be converted into a 370-acre urban development named YZD, after the airport's call sign.
The project, which began early this year, will create over 30,000 homes for approximately 66,000 residents, with plans to accommodate up to 83,500 people by 2051. The 30-year scheme will feature seven distinct neighbourhoods interconnected by a pedestrianised park built on the former 1.24-mile runway, described as the 'centrepiece' of the proposals.
Green spaces are a major focus, with around 70 acres of parks and open areas planned. The developers aim to ensure that amenities such as childcare, shops, and schools are within easy reach. Existing structures, including hangars from the 1950s to 1990s, will be retained and repurposed to reduce carbon emissions, according to Northcrest Developments CEO Derek Goring.
The site has been vacant since 2024, when aerospace manufacturer Bombardier left. The YZD project is one of the largest redevelopments of its kind in North America.
