partisans' 'orbit' masterplan for canadian future city takes cues from burning man

toronto-based firm partisans has unveiled plans to transform a rural town in canada into ‘the city of the future’. innisfil, which currently has a population of around 30,000, was one of the first towns in the world to implement an uber pilot program for its public transit system and it also accepts cryptocurrency (such as bitcoin) as payment for municipal fees and taxes. the ambitious plans were sparked by the addition of a metrolinx rail station, which is set to open in 2022.

all images by norm li

titled ‘the orbit’, the masterplan drawn up by partisans is articulated around this future railway station. radiating outwards, the circular plan is mixed with the grid of town lines to create a ‘squircle’ design — a modern version of an old european city layout that was inspired by the success of the UK’s garden cities, israeli moshav communities, and burning man.

innisfil will densify with the train station at its center and circumferences of new services, trails and neighborhoods ‘orbiting’ around it. instead of sprawling with low rise strip malls, and single family housing, the plan advocates building upwards with terraced, mixed-use mid- and high-rise buildings, thereby protecting rural farmland and also building a tight, and more sustainable community.

‘the orbit is our vision for a complete, cutting-edge community where small town and rural lifestyles are enhanced by the benefits and attributes of urban living,’ explains partisans. ‘the orbit directly addresses the most complex problem in north american city building: suburban sprawl. innisfil is located 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of canada’s largest city, toronto. the planned project has the capacity to absorb over 4 million square meters (40 million square feet) and expand innisfil’s population by 150,000 people in a form distinct from any other north american city.’ see other projects by the toronto-based firm on designboom here.

project info:

name: the orbit
location: innisfil, ontario, canada
design: partisans