The fundamental purpose of this design exercise is to foster an informed public discourse that ultimately leads to general consensus on the appropriate future for the Gardiner Expressway. Compelling visions are needed for each option under consideration - whether the Gardiner Expressway is to be retained, replaced, or removed - demonstrating how this area can be transformed into a sustainable and beautiful waterfront destination without making the downtown core inaccessible.
To date, the public discussion about the future of the Gardiner Expressway has centered on whether it is more of a barrier if it (and its traffic) is kept up versus if it (and its traffic) is brought down to grade. But missing from this debate have been strong design propositions that demonstrate the full potential of each approach to foster waterfront revitalization. Instead, competing assumptions have been made, such as "if it is retained it could be made beautiful underneath" or "if it is removed the waterfront will become integrated with the downtown core." In reality, each of these approaches could be done well or done poorly. What is needed is a series of tangible, compelling visions that allow each approach to be evaluated on its own merits as well as through a side-by-side comparison.
The design ideas selected out of this exercise will help form the basis of a detailed environmental review that will examine: 1) Improve the urban fabric while maintaining the existing expressway; 2) Replace with a new above or below grade expressway; and 3) Remove the elevated expressway and build a new boulevard. Each of the proposals will have to balance the regional transportation needs of Canada's largest city with the city-building goals of creating a sustainable and beautiful waterfront neighbourhood.
To ensure that the environmental assessment process builds upon these broader goals, each of the design proposals will be studied through four lenses: 1) environment; 2) economics; 3) transportation and infrastructure; and 4) urban design. The framework of the lenses is meant to broaden the discussion beyond transportation and ensure that the multiple objectives of the exercise are evaluated throughout the legislated environmental assessment process.
While a major capital investment in the Gardiner Expressway may not be needed, or pursued, immediately, a decision about its future is needed now in order to move forward other revitalization efforts. For example, if it is to stay, the rights-of-way and intersections beneath are likely to be transformed, thus affecting where new utilities should (or should not) be placed. Similarly, if a new highway is to be built or an at-grade boulevard is envisioned, its future alignment must be protected as new buildings go up in the area. Therefore, in any scenario, decisions about new development, open space, transit, roads, and utilities will all be affected. Thus, galvanizing support for a decision may be the most important product of the environmental assessment of which this exercise is an important part.
Given this reality, two broad goals have been set that govern this design exercise:
#1 - Create inspiring visions for the Gardiner/Lake Shore Corridor as part of a revitalized waterfront.
#2 - Facilitate a public dialogue on the future of this piece of infrastructure so revitalization can proceed.
(From competition brief)
In order to achieve the goals described above, ten elements have been identifi ed as required components of the proposals. The jury will consider the team's approach to each of these design elements in making its final recommendations.
While a high value will be placed on bringing bold, new ideas to this design challenge, understanding of the technical requirements and regulatory parameters that exist will be important to ensuring the viability of the proposed concepts. Standards and requirements need not be strictly adhered to in every instance, but deviations will need to be thoughtfully considered, explained, and ultimately acceptable to the approval authorities responsible for this infrastructure.
The design options should propose cost-effective solutions that will have as much positive impact as possible. They should also be conscious of the long-term maintenance implications, as one of the considerations in deciding the future of the Gardiner is the estimated $50 million in maintenance it will require over the next ten years.
Therefore, at the end of the eight-week charette, each submission should include carefully crafted, conceptual design propositions that take into account the ten design elements described on the following pages.
•Provide a Beautiful and Effective System of Roadway Infrastructure
•Transform the Ground Plane
•Increase Redevelopment Potential
•Compliment Existing Revitilization Plans
•Enhance North-South Connectivity
•Beautify the Rail Berm
•Strengthen View Corridors to the Water
•Devise Elegant Connections to Existing Infrastructure
•Develop a Signature Don River Crossing
•Promote Sustainability and Innovation
(From competition brief)
Kick-Off and Orientation Site Visit: April 28, 2010
Deadline to Fulfill Toronto Partner Requirement As per Competition Process Terms and Conditions section of this Competition Brief: May 7, 2010
Mid-Term Reviews. Each team to present and meet separately with the Technical Advisory Committee and Team. Presentation and discussion for each session will be scheduled for approximately 1.5hrs: Teams A & B - May 26, 2010, Teams C & D - May 27, 2010 & Teams E & F - May 28, 2010
Deadline to Submit Questions and Requests for Clarification: June 14, 2010
Last Response to Questions (Estimated Date): June 17, 2010
Submissions Deadline: June 25, 2010
Internal Presentation. Presentation by each team to the Technical Advisory Committee, Project Steering Committee, and the EA Team for refinement and analysis: July 13, 2010
Public Presentations & Exhibition. Presentation by each team in a public venue. Presentations will likely have an associated media briefing: November 2010 (to be confirmed)
Jury Review December 2010 (to be confirmed)
(From competition brief)
Grant, Kevin, Internal documents reveal Gardiner study shelved before Ford came to office, 2012
Design Ideas, Gardiner East
Torontoist, The Gardiner Debate: Will Transit Be the Loser?, Torontoist, 2015
Gardiner Expressway & Lake Shore Boulevard East Reconfiguration, City of Toronto, 2019
News ·, C. B. C., What you need to know about the future of the Gardiner Expressway | CBC News, CBC, 2015
News ·, C. B. C., 3 options for Gardiner Expressway to be revealed today | CBC News, CBC, 2015
Torontoist, What Shall We Do With The Gardiner?, Torontoist, 2013
