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Plan directeur du Centre de la nature
By : AECOM
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Concept / concept in landscape and/or urban development : Platinum Winner
Categories : Special Awards / Environmental Project : Gold Certification
Categories : Urban Design / Civic Design Project : Gold Certification
The Centre de la nature (CDN), with its surface area covering over 46 hectares, is the largest urban park in the City of Laval. Since its creation in 1968, it has become one of the busiest and most popular parks for Laval residents thanks to its varied facilities and generous 4-season programming. However, the site was developed rapidly over the years while lacking a coherent long-term vision.
It is in this regard that the City engaged AECOM’s services to carry out the preparatory and conceptual studies for the creation of a new master plan for the park. In doing so, the City wishes to invest tens of millions of dollars to position the CDN as a reference among Quebec’s major urban parks.
The new vision developed by AECOM for the CDN is first and foremost a continuation of the one that guided the park’s previous development. The park will remain an essential gathering place where young and old alike can enjoy the green spaces, discover the gardens, interact with the animals, take part in cultural events, or indulge in a wide selection of sports and outdoor activities. But the concept also relies on a complete overhaul of the CDN’s organization scheme to enhance the user experience.
In order to improve the urban integration of the CDN and promote active and collective transport, the concept includes a revised network of multipurpose paths, a new layout of site entrances as well as a striking new footbridge above Route 125. Taking advantage of the SRB Pie-IX and potential agreements with owners of nearby parking areas, the plan proposes a significant reduction in the number of parking spaces.
From now on, the park’s design will be guided through a desire to improve landscaping and contact with nature while attaining carbon neutrality. Viewpoints towards bodies of water, gardens, woodlands, groves, meadows, plains, hills, and rock faces will thus be enhanced, whereas undulating paths will be woven throughout strategic areas. The architectural volumes, infrastructure and facilities will be reorganized, optimized, harmonized, and implemented carefully, so as to respect the site’s history and ‘genius loci.’ A brook will be renaturalized in accordance with sustainable principles of rainwater management while various areas will be demineralized, greened and reforested. The CDN will also prioritize achieving carbon neutrality by reducing its carbon dioxide emissions to zero and by integrating sustainable design strategies, in particular: geothermal energy, solar energy, green roofs, rainwater management and recovery, reduction of heat islands, in situ management of residual materials, and canopy increase.
In the center of the park, a brand-new Maison agro-horticole (MAH) will become a benchmark for showcasing innovation in horticulture and urban agriculture. Partnerships will be explored with local stakeholders such as the neighboring Centre de formation horticole de Laval and producers in the agri-food sector. In addition to being a hub for exchanges, training and research, the MAH will form the core of the park’s horticultural and agricultural operations, thus allowing the CDN to transition towards a circular economy (through recovery of organic material) and achieve the highest standards in sustainable management.
Collaboration
