Montréal : la cité des cités

Montreal, like many metropolises, is characterized not only by an identity (or image) of its own, but also by its great diversity, a diversity which, over the years, has been transposed into the very morphology of the neighbourhoods: some communities have developed a distinct identity, assumed by their residents and recognized socially and institutionally. Specific forms of leadership and governance now oversee arrangements generated by the attachment to a place. Montreal is a city of cities.

The existence of neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, the Cité du Multimédia, the City of Circus Arts, the Gay Village, the Plateau or Pointe-Saint-Charles, as well as their public display, show the marks of a heterogeneous city that takes the form of a colourful urban collection, without being chaotic. This distinctive neighbourhood identity different in each urban conglomeration establishes the richness and the uniqueness of each metropolis. To what extent is it possible to maintain these neighbourhood identities within metropolises seeking to position themselves on the world stage? How do we understand the evolution of neighbourhoods, an evolution propelled both by the communities that live there and newcomers, and by individuals, processes and policies that are outside the neighbourhoods? When we talk about the city of cities, by what means can we assure that the city as a whole, as well as the cities that compose it, maintain a constructive symbiosis for all?

Starting from these questions as anchor points, CIRM invites you to discover Montreal neighbourhoods as part of a series of conference-experiences inspired by the book Montréal : cité des cités (eds. Juan-Luis Klein and Richard Shearmur).

Pointe-Saint-Charles

February 12, 2019 | Bâtiment 7 (Grand Atelier) | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

In recent years, various projects have contributed to the revitalization of the Sud-Ouest and Pointe-Saint-Charles, a historical district undergoing a true metamorphosis. How does citizen development projects contribute to the vitality of an ecosystem that guarantees the protection of living together and social justice? How do we conceive the symbiosis between the conservation of industrial and popular heritage, and residential development under the pressure of neighbouring districts? During a field visit to Bâtiment 7 and a panel discussion with experts from the municipal and university worlds, we will address these questions in regard to the Pointe-Saint-Charles experience.