SLA Unveils Growing Streets Design for Toronto's Ookwemin Minising Community

Landscape and urban design studio SLA has revealed the public realm and streetscape design for Ookwemin Minising, a 39.8-hectare waterfront community in Toronto's Port Lands. Formerly known as Villiers Island, the project is led by Waterfront Toronto, a publicly funded corporation established in 2001. The name means 'place of the black cherry trees' in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwemowin. The design is based on the concept of 'Growing Streets,' treating streets as living systems for stormwater management, heat reduction, and biodiversity. A multidisciplinary team includes GHD for engineering, Trophic Design for Indigenous knowledge, Allies and Morrison for architecture, Transsolar for low-carbon systems, Monumental Projects for community outreach, and Level Playing Field for accessibility. The plan features Centre Commons, a 760-metre-long pedestrianized space with 400 trees, described as Canada's longest year-round car-free area. Allies and Morrison increased density by 27% over previous plans, supporting 12,000 housing units (3,000 affordable). The master plan incorporates Indigenous co-design through the Living Legacy approach, with streets like Ookwemin Street and The Sandbar Trail tracing historic shorelines. Phased completion is expected between 2031 and 2040. The project aims to accommodate 21,000 residents and 2,900 jobs.