Ashkan Haghighat Nia

Living Layers of Nature

This thesis proposes a visionary transformation of the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto, reimagining it as a vibrant, renaturalized urban corridor. The project focuses on integrating moss-covered surfaces along the expressway’s columns, bridges, and tunnels to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and introduce green infrastructure to the city. By creating pedestrian-friendly pathways and community spaces beneath the Gardiner, the design aims to reconnect neighborhoods, promote sustainability, and provide new opportunities for social engagement and ecological awareness in one of Canada’s densest urban areas.

“The project reimagines Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway by integrating ecological, social, and urban interventions to transform it into a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly green corridor. Through moss-covered surfaces, permeable materials, and multifunctional spaces, it seeks to address environmental concerns, reduce urban noise, and foster community engagement while reconnecting the city with its waterfront.”