Faculty of Design
Environmental Design
Luke-Philip Seibt
Terminal Succession: A Holistic Approach to Environmental Restoration
Environmental Design
2024
Advocating the decommissioning of Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport and its conversion into a biodiverse urban ecosystem, this thesis challenges conventional urban development paradigms. Addressing air and noise pollution issues through rewilding offers a sustainable alternative that prioritizes ecological integrity, human well-being, and social equity. This transformative vision aims to redefine the urban-nature relationship, fostering a more resilient and livable urban environment for the future.Project Summary:This thesis reimagines Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport as a biodiverse urban greenbelt. By decommissioning the airport and embracing ecological succession, the design proposes a century-long transformation of the site into a thriving natural ecosystem rooted in Indigenous heritage and environmental justice.Core Goals:Ecological Regeneration: Address air and noise pollution through rewilding and habitat restoration.Cultural Recognition: Honour the Anishinaabe significance of Mnisiing (the Toronto Islands) as sacred spaces for birth, ceremony, and gathering.Urban Redefinition: Challenge conventional development by making nature, not humans, the priority.Design Strategy Highlights:Demolition & Renaturation: Score existing runways to invite natural erosion. Let structures decay as symbolic remnants.Native Planting: Encourage pollinator habitats and biodiversity.Tunnel Flooding: Remove urban functionality and restore aquatic ecosystems.Tower Pavilion: Adapt the air traffic tower into a passive viewing point.Limited Access: Preserve ecological integrity while offering moments of reflection for visitors.The Five Stages of Transformation1. Construction & PreparationScore existing runways to invite water ingress and erosionDismantle airport terminals, leaving behind decaying structural remnantsMark the beginning of the site’s renaturation2. Tower AdaptationTransform the air traffic control tower into a passive observation pavilionOpen the structure to the elements to symbolize the island’s shift toward natureOffer minimal infrastructure for low-impact human interaction3. Ecological ReclamationIntroduce native plants to attract pollinators and kickstart ecological successionFoster early biodiversity and lay the groundwork for long-term habitat regeneration4. Land ReformationAllow natural erosion to reshape the site into smaller islands, echoing Toronto’s existing archipelagoDeliberately flood the underwater tunnel to cut off urban connectivity and restore aquatic systems5. Succession & LegacyBiodiversity flourishes across the newly formed islandsNative vegetation dominates; birds, fish, and pollinators returnRemaining decayed infrastructure stands as a quiet memorial to the site’s pastThe rewilded landscape connects with Toronto’s broader greenbelt, enriching both ecology and cultureLegacy Impact:Expands Toronto’s green infrastructure into a second waterfront greenbelt.Reinforces Indigenous land acknowledgment and cultural history.Demonstrates a new model for post-anthropocentric urban design.
“The transformation of Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport into a thriving urban ecosystem represents a bold and holistic approach to addressing the city's pressing environmental concerns while unlocking the potential for a second greenbelt on its waterfront. The urgency of combating air and noise pollution in a densely populated urban environment like Toronto cannot be overstated. By converting the airport land into a healthy ecosystem, we can strategically absorb pollutants, improve air quality, and significantly reduce noise pollution. Moreover, this design thesis lays the foundation for expanding Toronto's green infrastructure. Using ecological concepts like green corridors and edge effects to create a greenbelt along the waterfront not only enhances the city's aesthetic appeal but also fosters biodiversity, supports wildlife habitats, and promotes ecological sustainability. The design intent is to transform Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport into a rejuvenated urban landscape that reflects the island's historical significance and honours its Indigenous heritage. Through the demolition of the airport infrastructure and the intentional reformation of the land, the project seeks to emulate the island's natural past while supporting the process of ecological succession. Native plants and wildlife will be allowed to influence the landscape naturally, paying homage to the island's ecological integrity. By allowing the remaining airport structures to decay naturally, they become poignant reminders of the island's history, creating a unique setting for visitors to experience the land's natural assets. Access to the islands will be limited due to flooding and land loss, emphasizing that the project's primary focus is not human-centric but rather centred on nature, wildlife, and the passive benefits they bring. Specific features, such as an underwater tunnel, provide opportunities for people to engage with the natural environment. Additionally, repurposed structures, such as the old air traffic control tower, offer vantage points for experiencing the land, water, and sky. Overall, the design intent is to create a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, where the land's intrinsic value is prioritized over human-centric development. The project aims to serve as a model for sustainable urban design that respects Indigenous heritage, fosters ecological resilience, and promotes the well-being of both wildlife and future generations.Situated on Toronto's waterfront, Billy Bishop Airport occupies a critical location with ecological and social potential. The islands, known as Mnisiing in Anishinaabemowin, hold deep significance for the Indigenous communities of Toronto. Long before written history, these islands, along with their sandy shoals and sand spits, served as sacred spaces. They were places where Anishinaabe mothers journeyed to give birth, where ceremonies were conducted, and where essential resources like whitefish and wild rice were harvested. Revealing and honouring the Indigenous significance of the Toronto Islands is essential for acknowledging and respecting the land's history and the diverse Indigenous communities whose heritage is deeply intertwined with these sacred spaces. Through thoughtful and collaborative efforts, the islands can become a place where Indigenous cultures are celebrated, and all visitors are reminded of the land's Indigenous legacy. However, despite their rich Indigenous history, the islands currently lack visibility and acknowledgment of their Indigenous significance. It's crucial to rectify this oversight, ensuring that all visitors recognize that they are on Indigenous land. For the Michi Saagiig, it was simply known as Mnisiing, meaning “on the islands. Later, they were collectively known as Aiionwatha or Hiawatha's Island. It has also been long considered a meeting place and a place of healing and ceremony for indigenous people. This project envisions reclaiming the site as a greenbelt, connecting Toronto's waterfront to a network of biodiverse habitats. By reintroducing native vegetation, fostering wildlife corridors, and honouring Indigenous heritage, the design aims to restore the land’s ecological and cultural vitality.”
Work by
Luke-Philip Seibt
Architecture + Landscape Architecture
“To design sustainably is to listen to the land, to culture, to the ecosystems and to those often left at the margins. I aim to create inclusive spaces that breathe with their environment and hold...” [More]
Celebrate the work of OCAD U’s class of 2024/2025!