Lower Don Lands design recognized for its contribution to Toronto's quality of life and commitment to sustainability of Toronto's waterfront

TORONTO, July 2, 2008 – Waterfront Toronto together with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) received the 2008 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) Sustainable Development Award for the design of the Lower Don Lands.

The Sustainable Development Award, one of RAIC’s National Urban Design awards, recognizes the role urban design and architectural excellence play in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in Canadian cities. In their final analysis the National Urban Design jury members felt that the Lower Don Lands design crafted an ecologically-based and environmentally sensitive approach that will provide a long-term evolutive strategy for sustainable development.

The Lower Don Lands project is just one part of Waterfront Toronto’s 800 Hectare project to transform the City of Toronto’s central waterfront. The design for the Lower Don Lands promises to turn unused land in Toronto’s central waterfront into a sustainable "green" city, a new destination where city, lake, and river interact in a dynamic and balanced relationship.

"Waterfront Toronto is driven by an integrated approach to transforming the central waterfront land" said John Campbell President & CEO, Waterfront Toronto. Waterfront Toronto’s approach goes beyond getting the highest value for each parcel of land. Waterfront Toronto is a champion of transformation based on sustainability, innovation, intelligent communities, design excellence, and the need for this integration to take place before the design phase. "RAIC’s recognition of Waterfront Toronto with the Sustainable Development award shows that Waterfront Toronto’s commitment to design excellence is not just an aspiration but a realization in the Lower Don Lands design" Campbell added.

It is a unique distinction for a master planner like Waterfront Toronto to be recognized by RAIC. RAIC’s recognition of Waterfront Toronto in addition to the MVVA design team signifies the role of integration in the design phase to achieve design excellence and sustainability.

WATERFRONT TORONTO

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media Contact:

Michelle Noble, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344