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The YZD project is designed to create complete, connected neighbourhoods that enhance quality of life. Beyond providing new homes and jobs, YZD will bring essential community infrastructure like schools, community centres, childcare facilities, and cultural spaces close to where people live. With sustainability at its core, YZD will weave together city and nature through ~74 acres (30 hectares) of inter-connected parks and open spaces, connecting to adjacent Downsview Park via an iconic pedestrian-focused bridge. With multiple links to existing transit stations, YZD will become a new northern hub for work, play and culture, spurring economic growth and opportunity in the surrounding area. The project offers benefits that will support both the local community and the broader city for generations to come.  

Northcrest Developments envisions transforming the 370-acre former Downsview Airport lands into YZD—a series of vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods that will evolve over the next 30 years. Each district - or neighbourhood - will offer a diverse mix of housing, employment opportunities, and community spaces, designed to meet the needs of current and future generations. This ambitious journey is deeply rooted in collaboration, incorporating the priorities of thousands of residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape every phase of development. As YZD unfolds, it aims to set a new benchmark for inclusive, sustainable urban living, creating a lasting legacy for Toronto and its people.

YZD celebrates the rich history of the former Downsview Airport lands while embracing the exciting transformation ahead. The name, inspired by the site’s original call sign, honours its aviation legacy – something that local residents and stakeholders told us was important to them – and it reflects our vision for what’s to come. YZD connects to the past and points to the future, marking the start of a new chapter for this iconic site.

A Secondary Plan is a high-level plan developed by the City of Toronto to provide an overall vision for a specific area. It outlines how the lands will be used, including transportation options like transit, streets, and cycling routes; parks and public spaces; infrastructure such as stormwater management, sewage, and energy systems; community benefits like schools and libraries; and urban design guidelines for the area’s future look and feel.