Over & Underground Spaces & Networks Integrations a Case Study: The International District of Montreal

Downtown Montreal underwent a major urban renewal in 2000–2004. The Quartier international de Montréal (QIM) is held by many as one of the finest examples of urban design in Canada. The main purpose of the project was to restore the continuity of Montreal's downtown, broken by the gaping trench of the Ville-Marie Expressway since the 1960s, and thus to bridge the historic Old Montreal district the existing downtown business district centred around Place Ville-Marie. Other goals included the beautification of the built environment, creation of elegant city squares, showcase of Quebec design and public art, and stimulation of world-class real estate development at the heart of Montreal. The two major north-south underground pedestrian pathways were connected by the missing link put in place beneath the CDP Capital Centre and Place Jean-Paul Riopelle. Nearly 1.3 kilometers of underground corridors, animated by public art, were created and tripled access to the subway. The goal of the presentation is to present an approach to developing Air Rights above an underground (trench) expressway in a downtown area in consideration with urban design aspects, building design constraints, technical, legal and economic aspects. This session will examine the results of this significant original project, the ongoing vision for this major part of the city, and what future development activity is likely to take place.