Montréal is an island in North America – geographically, linguistically, and culturally. The second largest francophone city in the world (after Paris), it is a cosmopolitan, international city, and a UNESCO City of Design. Montréal has a strong sense of place and a rich artistic and cultural pride, and is known for its sustainability policies and neighborhood grassroots initiatives.
A SUSTAINABLE CITY
Recognized for its culture of partnership and teamwork, Montréal is also known for its environmentally sustainable policies.
Here are a few examples of what makes Montréal a green city: the implementation of BIXI, the new public bike system, the development of an environmental technologies and services cluster, the creation and operation of a sustainable practices network as well as the adoption of a pedestrian bill of rights, a Tree Policy, a waste management plan and a transportation plan. All these examples are proof that the city and its partners are making things happen.
Furthermore, the city is also characterized by an abundance of grassroots initiatives
in its neighborhoods, such as green roofs, green alleys, seasonal public markets,
collective gardens and proposals for the development of healthy transportation
networks. There is still much to be done, especially in bringing all these policies and
actions together in an integrated vision and governance framework and to monitor their
implementation. Montréal is an ideal meeting point for all Ecocity 2011 participants.
