Over 100 high school students from across Ontario took a break from their usual weekend routines to take on the role of urban designers at the ninth annual 1UP Conference in Toronto.
Guided by volunteer design professionals, students aged 14 and older participated in a hands-on design challenge: reimagining a vibrant plaza that would connect a two-tower rental development by Elysium Developments with the Mount Dennis Station on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
This four-hour design jam, known as the 1UP Design Charrette, focused on creating a privately-owned, publicly accessible space (POPS) that could enhance both the residential development and commuter experience.
“We weren’t aiming for design perfection — we wanted thoughtful, creative ideas and for students to explain their design choices from the users’ perspective,”
— Ryan Lo, Co-Executive Director, Urban Minds
The conference is hosted annually by Urban Minds, a Canadian non-profit that empowers youth to help shape more sustainable and equitable cities.
Grade 11 student Alice Buckley, who has been part of past prize-winning teams, said this year’s challenge pushed students to think outside the box given the limitations of the site.
“Now I walk through the city and think about how to improve it. What would make it more enjoyable for people?”
— Alice Buckley, Student Participant
The hope is that the development team will consider incorporating some of the student-generated ideas into the final project. More than just a competition, the 1UP conference encourages youth to see urban spaces with fresh eyes — and maybe even pursue careers in urban planning, design, or architecture.