Walking the Pedestrian Streets of Montréal
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has announced that 10 streets in the city will be pedestrian-only this summer. Montréal is a great city for walking and enjoying public places.
Pedestrian streets are very popular in Montréal and are part of the urban landscape, especially during the summer season. They encourage people to connect with places, and ensure the vibrancy of neighbourhoods and their businesses. Their safety is also a big plus. With cars prohibited or tightly controlled, pedestrians feel much safer and the risk of accidents is much lower. Nuisances caused by vehicle traffic, such as stress and air and noise pollution, are also greatly reduced.Finally, the more spacious layout of these streets allows each walker to choose his or her own pace, regardless of physical condition, and encourages active mobility.
The city is capitalizing on the great potential of local streets to create new neighbourhood public places where people can meet. Converting streets to pedestrian malls is part of this process and encourages appropriation of public spaces, discovery of local neighbourhoods and interactions between those who make them come alive.
The city will provide $12-million in funding for the pedestrianization of the commercial arteries spread over a three-year period. Pedestrian and shared-use streets, whether permanent or seasonal, provide a safe, enjoyable walking environment in the heart of the city. These colourful streets have become a signature and a staple of summer in Montreal. Try one out and you’ll discover new meeting places and opportunities for relaxation and entertainment in the heart of your favourite neighbourhoods.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, cities around the world are finding new ways to adapt and recover from the economic impacts of lockdowns and restrictions. In Montréal, one of the strategies that has been implemented to help the city move on from lockdown is the creation of pedestrian streets.
Pedestrian streets, also known as car-free streets or “pink streets,” are streets that are closed to vehicular traffic and are open exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists. The idea behind these streets is to create a safer and more enjoyable environment for people to spend time in, while also supporting local businesses and promoting active transportation.
In Montréal, a number of pedestrian streets have been created in recent months as part of the city’s recovery efforts. These streets are typically located in busy commercial areas and are open during daytime hours, allowing people to walk, shop, and enjoy the city without worrying about traffic. Many of these streets feature outdoor seating and other amenities, such as music, games, and art installations, to create a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
The creation of pedestrian streets in Montréal has had a number of benefits for the city. In addition to supporting local businesses and promoting active transportation, these streets have also helped to create a sense of community and bring people together during a time when social distancing measures are still in place. They have also been popular with tourists, who have been drawn to the city’s lively and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Overall, the creation of pedestrian streets in Montréal is helping the city move on from lockdown and adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. By creating a safe and enjoyable environment for people to spend time in, these streets are helping to support local businesses, promote active transportation, and foster a sense of community in the city.
NOMAD SKETCHBOOK 