"Dull, inert cities, it is true, do contain the seeds of their own destruction and little else. But lively, diverse, intense cities contain the seeds of their own regeneration, with energy enough to carry over for problems and needs outside themselves."
- Jane Jacobs
the life and death of great american cities
As a former military base, Downsview’s transformation offers a unique opportunity to address urban density, sustainability, and public space, yet it also raises questions if a development this large is able to achieve goals outlined in the id8 framework. Would the framework benefit on "bigness" — grand, singular gestures of infrastructure and monumental design — or with more community-oriented, step-by-step incremental growth? The tension between large, impactful projects and the need for organic, incremental densification may result in overlooking the day-to-day experiences of the residents and users who engage with the space.
Goals of our framework analysis
- Investigate incremental development on site
- Explore the idea of “bigness” with preserving heritage buildings
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Analyze block densities for different neighbourhoods/regions
Historical Aerial Imagery of Downsview Lands (1939-2022)
*click aerial to change date
1793
The Downsview community was settled after the founding of York in 1793.
In 1827, William Duncan came from Ireland to Downsview and built a homestead and farm on the land that is now 40 Carl Hall Road. Edward Boake and his wife, Sarah, owned a large parcel of land on which they built their house, “Locust Lodge,” named for the surrounding locust trees.
In 1843, John and Caroline Bull settled on 81 hectares of land in York Township and called their home “Downs View.” The name was later adopted by the community as “Downsview"
In 1827, William Duncan came from Ireland to Downsview and built a homestead and farm on the land that is now 40 Carl Hall Road. Edward Boake and his wife, Sarah, owned a large parcel of land on which they built their house, “Locust Lodge,” named for the surrounding locust trees.
In 1843, John and Caroline Bull settled on 81 hectares of land in York Township and called their home “Downs View.” The name was later adopted by the community as “Downsview"
1929
In the late 1920's land in the Downsview area was used for airfields—Barker Field, the Canadian Express Airport and the Toronto Flying Club.
De Havilland Canada moves to Downsview, with their first hangar was built in to produce the Gypsy Moth aircraft. In April 1929, the company purchased 28 hectares (70 acres) of Downsview farmland next to the railroad tracks. De Havilland outgrew the tiny hangar, and so the company began construction on what was then called Plant Complex One.
De Havilland Canada moves to Downsview, with their first hangar was built in to produce the Gypsy Moth aircraft. In April 1929, the company purchased 28 hectares (70 acres) of Downsview farmland next to the railroad tracks. De Havilland outgrew the tiny hangar, and so the company began construction on what was then called Plant Complex One.
1929-1938
Between 1936 and 1938, De Havilland added a paint shop, hangar and a main building south of the original plant (now 75 Carl Hall Road). De Havilland’s staff grew to some 2,400 employees.
1952
In 1952, the Department of National Defence acquired Downsview land and buildings owned by de Havilland. De Havilland was granted a long-term lease on the 36 acres south of the airfield east of the railway where they built new facilities, but also continued to use some of their former manufacturing buildings to the north.
1953
Charged with the task of protecting the airspace of Toronto in the event of a war, officers, soldiers, and members of the reserves and militia focused their day to day efforts on logistics and supplies for military missions abroad, training drills, testing survival gear, supporting local armouries, and being available for local emergencies.
Decomissioned Base
1984
2002
2003
Headlined by Rolling Stones, an estimated 450,000 and 500,000 people attended the concert, making it is the largest outdoor ticketed event in Canadian history and one of the largest events in North American History
2006
Instead of creating a park made up of almost entirely green space as called for in the "Tree City" plan, Parc Downsview Park Inc., the crown corporation then in control of the park, approved constructing commercial and residential developments across the north, east and southwest ends of the park (developed by UrbanCorp and Mattamy Homes)
Construction began in 2006 and completed in 2012.
Present
Present-day uses of the Downsview hangar buildings include:
- 75 Carl Hall Road, the Hangar, various sports and recreation tenants
- 65 Carl Hall Road, Centennial College Downsview Aerospace Campus
- 40 Carl Hall Road, the Supply Depot, currently food market, film studio, various tenants
Future
Future
id8
Canada Lands Company is a self-financing federal Crown corporation that specializes in real estate development and attractions management.
Precedent Image Research
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