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Promenade Jean-Brillant
By : EVOQ Architecture de paysage
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Pedestrian Street / Shared Street : Silver Certification
The arrival of the Montreal Blue Line subway in 1988 generated a significant amount of pedestrian traffic on Jean-Brillant Street, linking the CDN subway to the University of Montreal. The narrowness of the sidewalk creates active transportation issues for pedestrians who are forced to keep up with slower pedestrians. To remedy this situation, the Côte-des-Neiges Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough wished to phase out the vehicular section along Jean-Brillant Park and extend this park to the second adjacent vehicular section and join the Côte-des-Neiges commercial artery.
Phase 1 – Summer 2019 – A progressive transformation
In this first phase, the objective is to abolish about 20 parking spaces to widen the sidewalk on the road. Going from simple to triple, the pedestrian space is secured by temporary installations that protect them from the vehicular path.
The landscape architect was inspired by the borough's new brand image, which intertwines blue and green lines, a nod to the metro and bus lines, but also to the multicultural communities. Two major actions mark this first step, and will guide the next ones: the design of a family of furniture and the playful marking on the ground.
Numerous pieces of urban furniture allow for flexible and interchangeable layouts to offer a wide range of combinations to meet the needs of pedestrians. In winter and summer, benches, tables, planters and pergolas contribute to the animation of the street. The semi-transparent and elevated architecture of the pergolas serves as a point of appeal while preventing hiding – a principle derived from the "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design" approach.
The project also features a ground marking, designed by the landscape architect. Attractive and playful, and using the same colors, it proposes hopscotch, maze and spiral games for children to play and learn.
Phase 2 – Summer 2020 – Making a participatory and green initiative a reality
By signing up for the Pedestrian and Shared Streets Program (PSRP) in 2020, the borough has allowed for a complete street closure to further widen the pedestrian corridor, and enhance its playful amenities.
The objective of transforming the street is part of a sustainable development approach. Indeed, the passage from a vehicular street in the heart of downtown Montreal to a street narrowed for the benefit of pedestrians marks a real ecological gesture. The open-air photo exhibition will be created in 2020 and will be renewed each season.
Phase 3 – Summer 2021 – Reinforcing the status of the promenade and the street terrace
During this phase, the project was enhanced by the addition of a "Promenade Jean-Brillant" gate at both ends, the renewal of the outdoor exhibits, and the addition of a project explanatory panel per phase. These landscape markers also reinforce the sustainable and participatory vision of the project. MU, a mural design firm, joined the project by bringing in the Roadsworth artist. He uses a stencil-based technique to modify and reverse, often in a playful and humorous way.
Collaboration
Landscape Architecture : EVOQ Architecture de paysage
Photographer : Arrondissement CDN-NDG
