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Urban planning can play a major role un the fight against climate change. By defining the shape of a community, urban planning can determine a large part of its energy consumption, and thus, the quantity of greenhouse gases released by dwellers. Nevertheless, it remains largely out of the general debate on this issue. SAGA CITY invites you to learn more about these stakes through to story of the city of Colvert.

For more information, visit the original page [FR] or the special file [FR].

Is Your Neighbourhood Changing ?

Our communities are always evolving. Our demography, our economy, and even our environment are constantly changing. And so are our lives, our needs and aspirations. We humans are able to adapt, and so are our neighbourhoods. But one question remains: how can we benefit from those changes ? Watch our short animation below to discover the three key ingredients to a successful urban transformation.

Vivre en Ville aims to empower citizens, developers, and municipalities towards better urban densification projects. It aims to create a safe space for public debate, by encouraging other forms of arguments than the now famous "Not in my backyard" !

When our cities and towns spread out, the collective costs and our greenhouse gas emissions go through the roof, and precious natural habitats and farmlands are lost forever. If we want to keep on growing sustainably, we need to consolidate our neighbourhoods. In other words, we need to densify in order for more of us to be able to enjoy a good quality of life in existing neighbourhoods that meet our aspirations. It creates more residential choices for all of us—single, in a couple, with or without kids, and regardless of age or ability. Densification can take many forms and is an effective way to optimize our use of facilities and infrastructure. We can embrace this opportunity to build better neighbourhoods for everyone: more housing choices, more shops, more services, and a more vibrant civic life. In order to achieve that, we need to work together at every steps of the process.

For more information, visit the original page [FR] or the special file [FR].

This initiative is funded by the Green Fund (Fonds vert) as part of Action-Climat Québec, a ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques program stemming from the 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan.

The road to school

In 1971, 80% of students walked to school. In 2008, only 34% of students choose to walk.

This video was shot in Cap-Rouge, Quebec. It follows two young students as they undertake the 650-meter walk that separates their home from their school. The road they need to walk is far from being safe, prompting many parents to choose the car as the family's primary means of transportation. The lack of adequate pedestrian infrastructure is in large part responsible for the staggering decrease in the number of students walking to school in Quebec.

For more information, visit the original page [FR] or the special file [FR].

Interview with Ellen Dunham-Jones

Ellen Dunham-Jones is Director of the Master of Science in Urban Design degree, an authority on sustainable suburban redevelopment at Georgia Tech, and a leading urbanist. She is co-author with June Williamson of Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs, a book documenting successful retrofits of aging big box stores, malls, and office parks into healthier and more sustainable places.

In this interview, Ellen Dunham-Jones talks about the history and future evolution of the suburbs as well as urban densification, gentrification and new urbanism.

For more information, visit this page [FR].

Interview with Brent Toderian

Brent Toderian was Vancouver’s Director of City Planning from 2006 to 2012. He now leads his own international consultancy, TODERIAN UrbanWORKS. 

In this interview, Brent Toderian talks about the future of the suburbs and the eco-density program implemented by the city of Vancouver.

For more information, visit this page [FR].

Creating safe and vibrant public spaces: some ideas to guide you!

There are many actions communities can take to create safe and lively public spaces and to improve mobility options. Learn about some practical project possibilities (in times of pandemic, and beyond). Discover basic concepts for anchoring innovative projects in your community whether they be urban agriculture or temporary urbanism.

To know more about our organization, visit vivreenville.org.