BIOPOLIS PROJECTS

Ever since it was founded, the Cercle Carré Housing Cooperative has been hard at work in the implementation of a green roof project, which represents the focal point of its initial concept. The transformation of the otherwise lifeless roof of the building into a lush community oriented green space renders this project a beacon in its category and a perfect example of thoughtful urban development in a rapidly mutating neighbourhood. Upon realizing the entirety of its project, Cercle Carré will have contributed to the greening of 3000 square feet of roof top space, which would in the end meet the desired expectations that would positively impact life at the Coop and in the neighbourhood:

• Sustain local biodiversity;
• Reduce the Coop’s ecological footprint and the effect of urban heat islands;
• Create a gathering space for the Coop’s community;
• Host workshops on green roof technologies and urban agriculture, guided tours and other cultural events.

The Coop called upon the architect Owen Rose and his firm ROSE Architecture as well as Toiture Nature for their help in transforming the roof into an urban oasis comprising of plants native to Quebec, complete with urban agriculture and terrace spaces. The Coop also hosts a number of workshops and cultural events, thanks to a partnership with Éco-quartier Saint-Jacques. Furthermore, Cercle Carré obtained a generous grant from Environment Canada through its Eco Action Program, in order to help the Coop in covering the costs for plants, substrates, architect services and communications.

For over a decade, the implementation of Montréal’s Policy on the Protection and Enhancement of Natural Habitats aims to:

(1) maximize biodiversity and increase aggregate hectarage of protected natural habitats in Montréal;

(2) ensure the sustainability of natural habitats in existing City parks, and promote the consolidation and viability of park ecosystems;

(3) foster enhanced integration of ecosystems and natural landscapes in built-up areas.

The Policy identifies 10 ecoterritories, in which natural habitats are larger than 15 ha and slated for priority protection and enhancement. Conservation projects are elaborated through a concerted planning process, and are based on the ecological network concept (core zones, buffer zones, ecological corridors). The implementation of the Policy has allowed for the creation and expansion of numerous nature parks. After the Policy’s original goal was achieved in 2015, namely the protection of 6% of terrestrial areas in the agglomeration, the goal was adjusted to 10 % in the Schéma d’aménagement et de développement de Montréal. When taking into account large bodies of water around the island of Montréal, over 17 % of the agglomeration is already under protection, which corresponds to the international goal. However, the City wishes to concentrate its efforts on terrestrial areas, where balancing development and conservation is a very important and complex issue.

Mange-Trottoir attracts, gathers, informs, educates and inspires the local and international community. It meets the needs of a city that is redeveloping on a human scale to address urban greening, citizen engagement, ecological agriculture, and the reduction of urban heat islands.

Initially launched by a neighborhood resident, the project is the end result of a collective reflection involving several members of the community. In spring 2014 they got the idea to grow sidewalk container gardens at the corner of de Castelnau and Drolet streets in Villeray, Montreal, and since then the project has really taken shape. The group rolled up their sleeves and have built what is one of the most lush and collaborative green urban agricultural projects in Montreal. Several containers are neatly arranged on the sidewalks on both sides of the street, containing a variety of edible and native plants, to the delight of residents who come to take their pick. In addition, social and educational group activities are regularly offered around the edible sidewalk gardens.

Financed primarily by residents through plant sales and with the help of the Villeray éco-quartier, UQAM and the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre—this project creates great opportunities for local residents to connect with each other and discuss agriculture.

The Répertoire des milieux naturels protégés du Québec (Directory of Protected Natural Areas in Quebec), is an exhaustive directory of natural areas on private land in southern Quebec protected by non-government organizations.

The repertoire compiles more than 750 protected sites. It locates the protected natural areas in Quebec so they can be incorporated in territory planning and regional protection strategies.

The repertoire’s website helps to visualize the progress made towards protecting the province’s territory and the Registration Platform can be used to record a protected site that is not in the repertoire yet.

The city of Montreal issued a mandate to Vinci Consultants in 2011 to supervise the conception and performance of the bioretention island of Décarie Boulevard, between St-Jacques Street and Crowley Avenue, a rain garden designed to capture runoff waters. A 200 meter long segment of the street, comprising of four traffic lanes and one parking lane, was redesigned to support the entrance to the new McGill University Health Center. The client’s wish was to carry out an efficient, aesthetic and innovative runoff management project that would contribute to the fight against heat islands, which constitutes a threat to public health.

As a first step, the mandate included a feasibility study that was conducted in partnership with the landscape architects from Fahey et Associés and the DIrector of Urban Planning of the mandated firm, Pascale Rouillé. This study allowed the identification of numerous proposed alternatives to sustainably manage runoff waters of the Boulevard. The chosen option was that of a six meter wide bioretention island located within the central mall, which would allow drainage, retention, and filtration of runoff waters.

The mandate then included the supervision of the plans and specifications of excavation designed by an independent firm. Vinci Consultants was also mandated to supervise the construction work, evaluate the performance and social acceptability of the project and ensure the issuance of a certificate of final acceptance of the works.

Ephemeral Projects is an initiative of Université de Montréal that aims to temporarily occupy and valorize part of the construction site of its future science campus, the Outremont Site. Through collaboration with ten local environmental organizations, the construction site has become the scene of a series of micro projects whose common goal is to bring public awareness to the appropriation and valorization of urban spaces. Among others, a collective garden, a pollinator garden, an apiary, a tree nursery, and a space dedicated to small-scale intensive food production, as well as a few ecological experimental projects can be found on site.

The site has become a platform for people of all ages to learn about how sustainable development transforms cities. Moreover, it will play host to a multitude of user-friendly and educational activities such as movie nights and outdoor concerts, workshops on urban agriculture, tours and solidarity markets. A harvest festival was also held in the falls of 2015 and 2016.

In 2016, this project won first prize at the Gala de reconnaissance en environnement et développement durable (Gala for the recognition of the environment and sustainable development) of Montreal in the category for companies and institutions.

Pioneering a new wave of community gardens, with an approach that is innovative, mobilized, creative, connected to the needs of the community and of urban gardeners, the Basile-Patenaude community garden is constantly evolving with projects paving the way for new and adaptable community garden programs.

Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie residents have inexpensive access to gardening space to produce quality fruit and vegetables, create a network for community support, and ensure food security. This includes a new garden for children; a playful space for urban agriculture specifically designed for young gardeners, an edible green lane of over 20,000 ft² with 150 fruit trees and bushes, a cornfield, two honey meadows, a mushroom garden and unique street furniture. The edible green lane is part of phase one of the revitalization of more than 22,000 ft² of vacant land, with upcoming phases including a respite educational farm and an important food security project to benefit this multicultural and disadvantaged sector of Rosemont La Petite-Patrie.

Sauvons la falaise is a group of engaged citizens with a primary mission to protect the eco-territory of the Saint-Jacques escarpment, an oasis of nature in the heart of the city. While recognizing the need for the infrastructure renewal program proposed by the Turcot highway project, Sauvons la falaise nevertheless aims to protect the falaise St. Jacques from further incursions by the MTQ (Quebec Ministry of Transport); promote connectivity though bike paths and the green belt between NDG, the Sud Ouest, Lachine, Montreal West and Westmount; clean up the falaise; and compel the City and the MTQ to release the plans for the falaise and surrounding areas including the Turcot Yards.

Les Amis du Parc Meadowbrook is a committed group of citizens affiliated with local and national environmental organizations that protect natural spaces. Their mission is to protect Meadowbrook from development and transform it into Meadowbrook Park, a new 57-hectare urban nature heritage park, open and accessible to all, and connected through a greenway to a network of other parks, including the falaise Saint-Jacques.

Habitations Jeanne-Mance’s on-site greening activities preserve and improve biodiversity, and create pleasant outdoor spaces available to city residents. As a refreshing oasis in downtown Montreal, Habitations Jeanne-Mance contributes to the well-being of the neighborhood.

Organized by the Saint-Jacques eco-district, in partnership with the Jeanne Mance Housing Corporation, key activities include the greening of four parking lots, densification of trees and plants, plantings in front of the townhouses located around the ecological parking lot, landscaping the front area of the residential tower located at 200 Ontario Street East, landscaping the back and front yards of townhouses, and the development of a small urban orchard.

The Saint-Michel Environmental Complex (CESM) is an immense 192-hectare site in the heart of the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough. This site, once home to the Miron limestone quarry, was converted in 1968 into a giant landfill of 75 hectares. Eventually acquired in 1984 by the City of Montreal, their goal was to turn it into a vast environmental technology and education complex surrounded by green space, helping to improve the cultural and recreational life of the area.

Today it has become the second largest green space in Montreal, after Mount Royal Park. This is one of the most ambitious environmental restoration projects ever undertaken in a North American urban area.

The Corridor vert des 5 écoles program is a portfolio of projects scheduled to run from 2016 to 2020 in the Montreal North borough. These innovative projects are designed to orchestrate a series of interventions across urban spaces, public and private, in order to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, and to encourage them to take ownership of these spaces and equipment.

The Corridor vert project covers the area between Rolland Boulevard and Laurier Avenue, from Renoir to Pascal, which is one of Montreal North’s busiest stretches. It covers around half a square kilometer, and it includes five schools, two parks, an arena, a library and an auditorium. Each day, nearly 6,000 school children, teachers, and parents pass by this area to get to their schools.

There are several different types of interventions planned: planting trees and increasing greenery, removing fences, creating passages and other connections between the schools, improving public buildings and parks, limiting traffic, adding road markings and additional activities. In order to realize a project of this magnitude, the district has consulted with experts and signed important agreements with the Pointe-de-l’Île and Montreal English school boards, as well as with the Greening Society of Metropolitan Montreal (SOVERDI) and Vélo-Québec.