Neighbours of the Lake: Students Explore Urban Transformation Through Creative Collaboration

On Saturday, February 1, seven OCAD University students took part in Neighbours of the Lake | A Creative Workshop on the Port Lands, an immersive, hands-on learning experience exploring the intersection of social design, cultural research, and urban development. Led by Meichen Waxer, Program Development Specialist, Admissions + Recruitment, in collaboration with Waterfront Toronto and Mexico City's Culturans, the workshop offered a unique opportunity for students to engage with one of the city’s most ambitious infrastructure projects—the Waterfront Toronto Port Lands Flood Protection initiative.

This large-scale redevelopment effort aims to enhance climate resilience, restore natural ecosystems, and reimagine public space along Toronto’s eastern waterfront. The workshop invited participants to consider the evolving relationship between people, place, and urban change, with a focus on how inclusive, sustainable, and creative design practices can shape the future of this rapidly transforming area.

A Transformative Learning Experience

Thanks to a generous scholarship, seven students were selected to participate in the workshop. Through interactive discussions, hands-on design activities, and guided reflection, they were introduced to new perspectives on urban planning—not only as a technical process, but as a catalyst for social and environmental transformation.

“The most valuable lessons learned from this collaboration were the power of participatory design, the importance of fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and the impact of experiential learning in reshaping perceptions of urban development,” said Waxer. “We hope the students left with a deeper appreciation of how urban planning can serve as a catalyst for social and environmental transformation, while the partner institution gained new perspectives on how to engage the next generation in meaningful city-building efforts.”

The session emphasised co-creation, empathy-driven problem-solving, and design-led approaches to tackling complex urban challenges. Students worked collaboratively across disciplines, engaging with professionals in design, urban planning, and cultural research to explore what it means to be an “active neighbour” in a newly forming community.

From Insight to Impact

Activities throughout the day encouraged critical thinking and creative exploration. Participants unpacked key elements of the Port Lands initiative and proposed ideas that aligned with the values and visions of community stakeholders. The workshop concluded with a powerful panel discussion examining how sustainable and creative approaches in urban design can foster carbon-neutral, inclusive, and culturally vibrant city spaces.

For students, this workshop was a chance to deepen their understanding of the social and environmental dimensions of urban planning while building essential skills in collaboration, presentation, and critical reflection. For the partner organisations, it offered valuable insight into how emerging professionals view the future of urban development—and affirmed the importance of participatory design in shaping inclusive and resilient communities.

Looking Ahead

Neighbours of the Lake revealed the transformative potential of experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing students into direct dialogue with real-world challenges and changemakers, the workshop sparked new ways of thinking about civic engagement, sustainability, and creative problem-solving.

As we look to the future of the Port Lands and other projects like it, this collaboration highlights the vital role of the next generation in imagining and building equitable, environmentally responsive cities.