Transportation Master Plan for Gouin-Laurentien Study Area

By: Gabriel Damant-Sirois, Ellen Heshusius, Vincent-Charles Hodder, Ted Horton, Lora Milusheva

McGill University School of Urban Planning

Studio 1

Fall 2012

Introduction

The Borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville is geographically among Montréal’s largest, and it is comprised of distinct and diverse communities. The Gouin-Laurentien sector of Ahuntsic Cartierville is one of these communities, being an area in the northwest of the borough, roughly defined in the north and south by the Rivière-des-Prairies and the AMT rail line, and in the east and west by Boulevard O’Brien and Rue Cousineau. The area lacks an identifiable and memorable moniker, and this is a future branding concern, though within this report the study area will be referred to by its most prominent intersection, the central hub of Gouin-Laurentien.

Mandate and Vision

The mandate of this plan is to produce a master plan for the next thirty years, with a focus on transportation. Home to some 21,000 Montrealers in 2011, the area will grow at a rate of 3.8% over a five-year period according to our projection. By 2040 the population will have risen to 26,000 people in a status-quo scenario. Considering broader trends and the transportation and development goals of the city, we project a population of 33,000 residents in 2040 . This growth will require direction to accommodate the new population within the area, and foresight to respond to the demands it will place upon the transportation network.

Master Plan

In 2040, Gouin-Laurentien will be a livable, welcoming, well-connected community. Residents will enjoy an accessible, attractive, well-served community in which they can meet their daily needs. Priority will be given to sustainable practices, with emphasis on active transportation and improvements to public transit. Simultaneously, policy will be shifted to encourage a denser urban form, a more accessible, walkable neighbourhood, and a reduced reliance on cars as a primary mode of transportation. This plan will be oriented in line with the existing Metropolitan Community of Montreal Plan métropolitain d’aménagement et de development, sharing goals of sustainable transportation and seeking to be a leader in the city in shifting modal choice to more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Gouin-Laurentien will offer diverse modes of transportation and a flexible interaction between them. The current situation for public transportation is not a dire one. The area is connected to several bus routes and hosts the dedicated AMT bus lane on Laurentien Boulevard linking Laval commuters with downtown Montreal. Gouin-Laurentien lacks a direct link with the central city, however, as residents must navigate bus links that are frequently at capacity to reach metro lines outside of the area. This leads to a dependency on automobile transport, as the public transportation use in this area lags behind the rest of the City’s Average.

By: Magda Barrera, Christian Binette, Thushanti Selvarajah, Colin Stewart

McGill University  School of Urban Planning

Studio 1

Fall 2012

Introduction

This Master Plan is a proposal to promote the economic development of the Gouin-Laurentien sector in Ahuntsic-Cartierville for the purpose of providing residents with an enviable quality of life. Research conducted during a preliminary phase of the project had identified a number of problems including a shortage of affordable, family-size housing, lack of an attractive built environment, difficulty in retaining residents, high levels of unemployment, and stagnant or decaying commercial corridors. At the same time, the sector presents important strengths such as commercial corridors, large local institutions, the slated arrival of two new metro stations, and the existence of underutilized plots of land which can be effectively used for economic development. This plan seeks to capitalize on these current strengths to revitalize the economy and develop a prosperous and dynamic neighborhood. It is structured along three main goals: increasing employment, revitalizing commercial activity, and attracting investment. In order to achieve these goals, it presents objectives and initiatives in a wide range of areas including public transportation, job training, new development projects, and the built environment. The concept map and master plan present graphical representations of our proposed vision for the Gouin-Laurentien sector in 2040.

Vision

This Master Plan is based on a vision for a dynamic, prosperous local economy that serves the need of local residents. The Gouin-Laurentien sector will be a vibrant and complete neighborhood, characterized by active commercial corridors with varied retail and service offerings, numerous employment opportunities for local residents, and an attractive urban setting. Local institutions and new development projects will be well-integrated into the neighborhood fabric, acting as agents for economic development. The new metro stations will increase access to the rest of the city, while residents will benefit from greater pedestrian connections and interlinked parks and greenways. Local residents will also find it easier to remain in the neighbourhood thanks to the construction of affordable, family-size housing tailored to the diverse population that makes up the sector. Finally, a coherent and well-designed built environment will provide an attractive and appealing setting for urban dwellers to live, shop and work in Gouin-Laurentien.

Concept Plan

Master Plan

Goal 1: Increase access to employment for local residents

Goal 2: Revitalize commerce

Goal 3: Create an attractive environment for investment

Transit oriented development at the Bois Franc station

Public transportation connections

Green and Blue: Cartierville Shows its Colours

By: Simon Chauvette, Mark Elsworthy, Alanna Felt, Marion Gale

McGill University School of Urban Planning

Studio 1

Fall 2012

Introduction

Following detailed study of the Gouin-Laurentien area, this plan was prepared to assist in the revitalisation of the neighbourhood and to guide its future development. On 18 November 2012, the World Bank issued a report warning that by the year 2100, the global temperature will rise by four degrees Celsius. This shift will be marked by extreme heat waves, declining local food stocks, loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, and a severe rise in sea level.  This warning has particular implications for the City of Montreal regarding significant increases in temperature and sea level. As such, the development plan outlined below includes a series of goals, objectives and actions which will mitigate these risks, based on the vision and values outlined below.

Vision

The Gouin-Laurentien area of Cartierville will become a unified and green neighbourhood where residents from all cultures and economic backgrounds can live, work and play. In twenty years’ time, the sector will be socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. The neighbourhood’s unique identity will be evident, and its integration within the City of Montréal will be reinforced. Two vibrant cultural and economic nodes will contribute to the connection of the different urban fabrics in the area, and mark the entry points to the neighbourhood and the island of Montréal.

Master Plan

Values

• Environmental sustainability: the built environment should be coherently integrated into the natural environment and have the capacity to adapt to climate change.
• Social equity: all members of the community should have equal access to employment, cultural, educational, and housing facilities;
• Social cohesion: individuals in the community should have the opportunity to interact freely;
• Dynamic economy: diverse employment opportunities and commercial activity should be locally available; and
• Identity: the area should have a unique and strong sense of place.

Goal 1.   Manage resources at the source

Goal 2.   Enhance local and regional transportation choices and connections

Goal 3.   Strengthen identity through local features

Goal 4.   Foster a complete community

Key sectors of intervention

Green Network

Activity Map

Perspective: Civic Hub

Perspective: Civic Hub

Perspective: Civic Hub

Périnault Street Cross-sections Existing and Proposed

By: Cara Fisher, Kate-Issima Francin, Daniella Guerrero, Chelsea Medd

McGill University School of Urban Planning

Studio 1

Fall 2012

The Gouin-Laurentien sector of the Borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville serves as a link between the Island of Montréal, Laval, and the broader metropolitan area.  The Gouin-Laurentien sector has a diverse demographic composition in terms of ethnicity and in levels of income, making it an area of great contrasts and facing a number of challenges. The commercial activity on both Boulevard  Gouin  and  Boulevard  Laurentien  is  unstable,  and  the  areas  have  difficulty maintaining a loyal customer base.i  The sector has many parks and natural green spaces, but mobility and accessibility are an issue for many local residents. The analysis conducted in phase one identified that the sector suffers from a transient population, families move out of the in search of larger, more affordable housing or a better served neighbourhood.

This comprehensive plan, titled “A Place to Call Home”, aims to address retention of residents in the Gouin-Laurentien sector by offering a well-connected living environment where residents can meet their daily needs and where they will remain for many years to come. The plan outlines five strategic goals to create a better neighbourhood with a strong sense of place and an active community life.   A key component is a housing strategy that recommends new housing developments and implementation of the existing housing policies. To highlight the key recommendations, two areas for intervention have been selected that focus on housing and mobility.

Master Plan

Vision:

The year is 2035, and the Gouin-Laurentien neighborhood, part of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, is a vibrant residential community. The Gouin-Laurentien area welcomes diversity by attracting residents from all around the region with the affordability of its housing and the quality of life if offers. The variety of businesses and high quality public realm along boulevards Gouin and Laurentien offer an excellent shopping experience for visitors and residents alike. The neighbourhood has a mix of residential options that meet the needs of the population and is a place accessible by public transit, automobile, bicycle and foot. The Gouin-Laurentien neighbourhood’s cultural diversity, welcoming public spaces, strong local economy and its proximity to the Rivière des Prairies make it a place where people want to grow old.

Our vision is supported by five key goals: to stabilize local population with new housing options, to enhance accessibility and mobility, to encourage community building, to create a vibrant public realm and to revitalize economic activity.

Goals and Housing Strategy Diagram