Vivre le chantier Sainte-Cath: Mise en valeur du chantier de la rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest / Sainte-Cath Works - To minimize the impact of the public works on Sainte-Catherine Street West
2016
Montréal, Quebec, Canada- Planning
- Districts
- Street
The upgrading of underground infrastructures, the installation of new public transport systems, the pedestrianisation of streets in the city centre or the construction of major facilities are all situations requiring the implementation of urban worksites; major transformations in the functioning of cities which aim to improve, in the long term, the quality of the living environment and the attractiveness of their territory. Although they are a necessary step towards the requalification of 21st century cities, these projects are changing the daily lives of citizens, particularly their mobility, their access to services and shops, and their peace of mind.
If expertise in architecture and design were put to good use in the planning, design and animation of construction sites, could they provide creative solutions to this major and universal challenge? Could they improve the collective and individual experience of major urban construction sites and reduce the negative impacts on economic activity and the daily lives of workers, merchants, residents and tourists?
These issues and questions were at the heart of the conference's theme "Quel chantier! - Le design au secours des grands chantiers urbains", which was held in Montréal in October 2014, as part of the 27th Entretiens Jacques Cartier. Organized by the Bureau du design de la Ville de Montréal in collaboration with the Cité du design de Saint-Étienne, this international meeting brought together nearly 300 people, including some 20 speakers from Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States. This event was an opportunity to share and explore innovative design solutions in response to the problems of major urban construction sites and, by the same token, marked one of the first milestones in the development of new ways of doing things in Montreal.
In the wake of these discussions, and in order to contribute to the well-being of citizens, economic growth and the city's attractiveness, the City of Montreal is setting a new milestone by announcing that it will integrate design into the planning, design and construction of the Sainte-Catherine Street West site, which will begin in the spring of 2017.
This major project, which will extend from Atwater Avenue to De Bleury Street, and involves the repair of underground infrastructures and new urban development, will inevitably have an impact on the city's downtown area.
Recognizing that Sainte-Catherine Street is a commercial street of great importance, the City of Montreal wishes to organize a design competition to mitigate the impact by enhancing the first phase of the work site, which will take place over four years.
By bringing together ideas, the competition will aim to produce innovative and quality solutions in order to select and mandate a multidisciplinary team that will be awarded a professional services contract for the detailed design, plans and specifications, and the follow-up of the implementation of its concept on the site.
The intervention proposed within the framework of the competition must be in keeping with the specific context of Sainte-Catherine Street, taking into consideration the emblematic aspect of the commercial artery. In order to maintain an attractive, high-quality urban environment for users throughout the duration of the work, the intervention must, in both form and content, achieve the following objectives:
- change users' perceptions of the progress of a worksite by making it more attractive to the public attractive and lively;
- define an innovative urban experience within the framework of the construction site;
- to efficiently and safely route and direct all street users;
- Reduce the nuisances associated with the various works and obstacles;
- Allow the dissemination of in situ information on the progress of the construction site in real time;
- inform users about future developments.
(From competition program)
(Unofficial automated translation)
If expertise in architecture and design were put to good use in the planning, design and animation of construction sites, could they provide creative solutions to this major and universal challenge? Could they improve the collective and individual experience of major urban construction sites and reduce the negative impacts on economic activity and the daily lives of workers, merchants, residents and tourists?
These issues and questions were at the heart of the conference's theme "Quel chantier! - Le design au secours des grands chantiers urbains", which was held in Montréal in October 2014, as part of the 27th Entretiens Jacques Cartier. Organized by the Bureau du design de la Ville de Montréal in collaboration with the Cité du design de Saint-Étienne, this international meeting brought together nearly 300 people, including some 20 speakers from Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States. This event was an opportunity to share and explore innovative design solutions in response to the problems of major urban construction sites and, by the same token, marked one of the first milestones in the development of new ways of doing things in Montreal.
In the wake of these discussions, and in order to contribute to the well-being of citizens, economic growth and the city's attractiveness, the City of Montreal is setting a new milestone by announcing that it will integrate design into the planning, design and construction of the Sainte-Catherine Street West site, which will begin in the spring of 2017.
This major project, which will extend from Atwater Avenue to De Bleury Street, and involves the repair of underground infrastructures and new urban development, will inevitably have an impact on the city's downtown area.
Recognizing that Sainte-Catherine Street is a commercial street of great importance, the City of Montreal wishes to organize a design competition to mitigate the impact by enhancing the first phase of the work site, which will take place over four years.
By bringing together ideas, the competition will aim to produce innovative and quality solutions in order to select and mandate a multidisciplinary team that will be awarded a professional services contract for the detailed design, plans and specifications, and the follow-up of the implementation of its concept on the site.
The intervention proposed within the framework of the competition must be in keeping with the specific context of Sainte-Catherine Street, taking into consideration the emblematic aspect of the commercial artery. In order to maintain an attractive, high-quality urban environment for users throughout the duration of the work, the intervention must, in both form and content, achieve the following objectives:
- change users' perceptions of the progress of a worksite by making it more attractive to the public attractive and lively;
- define an innovative urban experience within the framework of the construction site;
- to efficiently and safely route and direct all street users;
- Reduce the nuisances associated with the various works and obstacles;
- Allow the dissemination of in situ information on the progress of the construction site in real time;
- inform users about future developments.
(From competition program)
(Unofficial automated translation)