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Quartier 21 is an experimental site that demonstrates the first strategic plan of its kind for sustainable development at the local level in Montréal. It is based on Agenda 21, the first implementation plan for sustainable development in the 21st century, developed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio.
Eco-quartier Peter-McGill was chosen in 2007 to set up Quartier 21. The project, funded in part by the Agency of Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Quebec, and the City of Montréal, has provided the opportunity to transform a block of downtown Montréal into a concrete model of sustainable development.
 The selected block has the advantage of being central, visible and easily accessible.
The block is enclosed by the streets of St-Marc, St-Mathieu, Ste-Catherine and de Maisonneuve Boulevard West.
Several actions have been taken, such as:
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greening private and public spaces;
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implementation of a balcony urban agriculture initiative with residents;
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community composting, ,
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collaboration in renovating a school belonging to the CSDM.
In 2012, construction will take place in the alleys and the along the sidewalks of the block with the goal is greening and increasing rain water permeability. The main goal of the Quartier 21 project is to reduce the heat island effect and redirect rain water from Montreal's water treatment stations.
Here is a list of the major 2012 initiatives:
- The transformation of the St-Mathieu alley into a shared space that is also permeable to rain water;
- The creation of new tree boxes along the sidewalks of the block;
- The construction of curbs bulges (also called curb extensions) on street corners to decrease the speed of traffic and green the sidewalks of the block;
Also, an urban agriculture initiative with residents of the neighbourhood will be repeated and expanded for a third year in a row. Waste management is also a priority for this year's interventions.
Similarly, the newly renovated Victoria School has been restored into the Commission Scolaire de Montréal's École des Métiers de Tourisme. Doors will open this fall.
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The vision we share
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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 Drawing prepared by Affleck + de la Riva in the mandate of Quartier 21
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Project partners include :
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec
- Arrondissement Ville-Marie
- Tandem Ville-Marie
- Village Shaughnessy
- Soverdi
- Arrondissement Ville-Marie
- Voyagez Futé
- CSSS de la Montagne
- Sustainable Concordia
- Éco-quartier Jeanne-Mance
- CSDM
- Atelier Habitation Montréal
- Equiterre
- Interaction Peter-McGill
It is essential for the project that people wishing to participate in any aspect can have the chance to do so.
Contact the project manager at 514-934-0505 ext 7637 or infoquartier21@gmail.com.
This project is funded by the Fond Vert as part of Action 21 of the 2006-2012 Action Plan on Climate Change of the Québec government.
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