Challenger Cities EP18: How Downsview is redefining Toronto's future by shifting the centre of gravity with Chris Eby

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 that have held Canadian cities back from creating world-class public spaces.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Toronto needs multiple hubs, not just one downtown, to thrive in the future.
• How the Downsview project is balancing bold vision with community engagement.
• The role of sustainability in creating a fully electric, future-proof urban center.
• What Toronto can learn from global cities like Copenhagen, New York, and Montreal.
• Why Canadian modesty has limited urban innovation—and how YZD is changing that.

Memorable Quotes:

• “This is going to shift the center of gravity north. Downtown is great, but we need a variety of hubs.”
• “The success or failure of this project hinges on getting public spaces right.”
• “We will not be building any new fossil fuel infrastructure on the site.”
• “A lot of older Canadians have cottages, places up north or in the country. When they have free time, they leave the city. There’s never been a push on governments to build great public spaces in the city.”
• “We’ve got to stop being so unambitious about transit. You look at the map in London, New York, or Tokyo—ours just pales in comparison.”