Toronto has a new island where the Don River meets Lake Ontario. 

Ookwemin Minising—”place of the black cherry trees” in Anishinaabemowin—was born from one of the world’s most ambitious flood protection and river restoration projects. Created through the Port Lands Flood Protection project, this 98-acre island is part of a long-term vision to transform former industrial land into a climate-positive, mixed-used neighbourhood where nature and ecology take a central role. With flood protection work complete and 60 acres of park now open, focus is now shifting to building the foundations of the new neighbourhood: the streets, spaces, and utilities required to support new homes, an estimated 21,000 future residents and 2,900 jobs.

Join TSA and Waterfront Toronto for a tour of a neighbourhood in the making as we explore the planning and design principles shaping this future neighbourhood, including the long-term vision for housing, public spaces, and connectivity across the island. During this urban design and development focused tour, we will learn more about Biidaasige Park—the first public space to open on Ookwemin Minising—and its role in creating a flood-protected river valley, the retention and adaption of a number of industrial buildings including Fire Hall 30, and the current and future streets, corridors, and transit connections and how they support mobility, placemaking and a complete community.