Development and design do not always play well together especially development as quick as ours has been over the past decade and more. But we've done pretty well with our new parks, especially down at the Waterfront, and the just-announced NXT City Prize is looking to build on that.
Developed by Distl, a "creative intelligence studio" working with the city and sponsors, the prize is for people under 30 and their redesigns for existing public spaces.
"Toronto is booming," says Distl's Christine Caruso. "We have cranes on every corner, and vacant lots are rapidly being snatched up and developed. Public space investment is more important than ever, as these spaces contribute to the vibrancy of our city. At the same time, young people are moving into the city – Toronto was
recently ranked Most Youthful City – because of this growth, excitement and change. It's more important than ever to match this growth in our public spaces, and to empower the next generation to really take ownership of their city and our shared spaces."
With a deadline of July 31, the top prize of $5,000 will be judged on various criteria, including how implementable it is. But in order not to cap entrants' imagination, there's a second prize of $2,500 for most original submission.
In addition to the $5,000, the winner's design will, it is hoped, be made reality.
"Jennifer Keesmaat has been a huge advocate of this prize," Caruso says, referring to the city's chief planner, "and will lead a professional working group formed to support the winner as they move their idea from paper to the street. This group, comprised of City Hall professionals and other business leaders, will support the effort, help to build connections, and mentor them through the process."
This is the first year of the prize, but Caruso hopes the funding and enthusiasm will be sufficient to make it an annual occurrence, and to help it spread to other cities across the country.
The prize's sponsors include Rockport, Pinnacle, the Toronto Region Board of Trade and Tabia. In addition to Keesmaat, judges for this year's include Rahul Bardwaj, Zahra Embrahim and Sevuan Palvetzian.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Christine Caruso