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Aménagement de la rue Principale du centre-ville de Magog
By : BC2
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Urban Design / Civic Design Project : Silver Certification
Principale Street is at the heart of Magog’s urban renewal program. Through the development of the street, the entire revitalization of the city is envisaged. The stakes are high: Magog is a living environment for its residents, a local center and a tourist showcase for the entire region. BC2 has concretized the already strong identity of this city. This project is part of an ambitious infrastructure replacement project that required the demolition of all existing development on Principale Street to replace underground conduits and bury overhead cables. The success of the major transformation of this commercial artery following the reconstruction makes this project an important driver of economic and social growth in the downtown area.
The design concept aims to give back space to pedestrians and invite them to stroll along the commercial artery. To accomplish this, accessibility to Principale Street was improved by widening the sidewalks and removing many of the obstructions to create a comfortable, clear corridor for pedestrians. The removal of overhead wires cleared building facades and provided space for the planting of numerous trees, transforming the street into a green, comfortable and attractive corridor. The addition of furniture encourages rest and socialization, while bringing a particular signature to this artery. The signature color is blue, which is integrated into the furniture, signage and paving stones, as a reminder of the City of Magog logo.
The coherence of the design is formed by the paving stone pattern that composes the sidewalks as well as the square located in front of Des Braves Park. This portion of the street is designed to be closed when needed and transformed into an event space. The raised pavement allows for fluid passage through the entire space formed by the paved area. The replacement of the old, non-functional light fixtures with new, more efficient ones has greatly reduced the number of poles, further freeing up the visual field, while reducing the electricity bill for the municipality. The development continues on Merry Street, to link the attraction poles of Merry House and the beach of Lake Memphremagog with Principale Street, in order to promote exchanges between these three poles. The introduction of an undulating wall and slate stairs in front of Merry House directs people to this cultural and heritage pole, while orienting them to the beach, forming a landmark at the junction of the main points of interest in the area.
The Principale Street project in Magog demonstrates that quality urban design contributes to commercial vitality while providing a pleasant and dynamic living environment for the local population and visiting tourists. The redevelopment of this iconic downtown street is a symbol of Magog’s commitment to sustainable urban development and a testament to the prosperity of its community. The multidisciplinary approach, innovative design and global vision of the project make it a prime candidate for the Grands Prix du Design.
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