The City of Montreal has revealed its comprehensive Plan d’urbanisme et de mobilité 2050, crafted to meet the aspirations and needs of its residents. This strategic blueprint aims to guide Montreal’s development, focusing on building a future that prioritizes housing, sustainable mobility, safety, quality of life, and climate resilience.
Key Highlights of Montreal’s 2050 Urban Plan:
- Housing Expansion: The plan outlines the addition of over 200,000 new housing units by 2050, with a notable 20% designated as off-market to ensure affordability.
- Enhanced Public Transit: Montreal’s public transit network will expand significantly, growing from the current 80 km to an impressive 360 km by 2050. This will greatly improve accessibility and reduce reliance on personal vehicles.
- Greening the City: A major goal is to increase green spaces across the city. By 2050, 40% of Montreal’s territory will be greened, including the creation of 125 km of green corridors to enhance urban biodiversity and provide recreational areas for residents.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: The plan dedicates 30% of public street right-of-way to sponge infrastructure and sustainable mobility solutions. This includes permeable pavements and green streets designed to manage stormwater and reduce urban heat islands.
- Shift to Public and Active Transportation: The city aims for nearly 70% of all trips to be made using public transit or active transportation methods such as biking and walking. This shift will reduce traffic congestion and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- Improving Employment Hub Connectivity: The plan ensures that 44% of employment hubs are served by both public and active transportation, facilitating easier commutes and reducing the carbon footprint associated with work travel.
- Building Decarbonization: A significant environmental milestone is set for 2040, by which time all Montreal buildings are to be decarbonized. This initiative will involve retrofitting existing structures and implementing sustainable building practices for new constructions.
The City of Montreal has decided to prioritize transportation modes with low environmental impact. The goal is to enhance the existing public transport network while creating complementary mobility networks that integrate walking, cycling, car-sharing, and public transportation.
To develop these sustainable mobility networks, the urban plan (PUM) project aims to implement an extensive tramway network, increase high-quality cycling links, and establish safe and extensive pedestrian pathways.
Montreal residents are invited to voice their opinions and validate the proposed plans to help realize the future vision for the city’s development. As a Montreal you can participate in the consultation process.