Is the workshop you want to participate in full? No problem!
The Summit has a program packed with more than 90 concurrent sessions, public keynote sessions, and keynote sessions. All included in the registration fee!
Most of the Mobile Workshops are not included in registration fees. Additional charges are required. To participate, please indicate your choice on the Ecocity World Summit registration form.
Please be advised that given the large number of registrations received for the workshops, registration to these activities will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to those who have paid in full. Since availability is limited, we encourage participants wishing to attend these activities to make their payment as soon as possible.
Meeting point: Viger Hall,
near the Palais des congrès
de Montréal Information counter.
The mobile workshops required
pre-registration and all spaces have
been filled, with the exception of Urban Agriculture and the Making of the Edible Campus. However, you may still check
in at the Registration Counters (Foyer
Viger) to see if there are new openings.
Please note that you will be asked
to give an activity representative the
coupon attached to your badge.
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS GREEN
ROOF GUIDED VISITS Thursday, August 25, 2011 Two guided visits of the greening technologies on the roof of the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The Palais des congrès de Montréal and the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre (MUEC) are proud to launch Culti-Vert, a roof greening project including five different extensive green roof technologies, 500 vegetable gardening containers using three different technologies, eleven cooling arches covered in climbing plants. |
BIKEABLE MONTRÉAL - what makes montréal unique?
Workshop organized by Vélo Québec (“Québec Cycling”) and the City of Montréal
Tuesday, August 23, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $20 CAD
Available spaces: 30 (2 groups of 15)
In Canada, Montréal is envied by many, and for good reason. Here, you will find some of the earliest bicycle paths from the 1970’s and, of course, more recent bike networks and infrastructure, including Bixi, the public bike-sharing system. The situation is far from perfect, but a strong political will, the development of cycling infrastructure, and unique cycling activities, such as the Montréal Bike Fest and the Tour de l’Île, provide Montréal with a strong biking culture. Recent statistics show that cycling is on the rise in Montréal.
This mobile workshop will introduce participants to Montréal, the bikeable city. Throughout the workshop, the guides will talk about and point out cycling infrastructure, traffic-calming measures, two-way bike lanes, bicycle parking, and combining cycling with public transportation. The workshop will also discuss the necessary conditions for a successful, bike-friendly environment.
MEGAPROJECTS AND THE RIGHT TO THE CITY
Workshop organized by L’Autre Montréal (“the Other Montréal”)
Tuesday, August 23, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 CAD
Available spaces: 40
Today, developers and public authorities are proposing projects that will considerably affect the urban fabric of certain neighborhoods and the living conditions of Montréal residents. These projects include the Devimco project in Griffintown, the University of Montréal’s new hospital, and the widening of Notre-Dame Blvd. E. The workshop will discuss the conditions under which these projects would be acceptable for citizens. It will also look at major past projects, (the Radio-Canada building and Ville-Marie Highway), successful citizen initiatives (the redevelopment of the Technopole Angus Site and transformation of the Miron Quarry), and potential citizen actions.
TOUR OF THE CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Workshop organized by Équiterre
Tuesday, August 23, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $20 CAD
Available spaces: 35
Although the Centre for Sustainable Development will be only two-months old when you visit, it will have already received a lot of attention. This extraordinary building was designed not only to achieve social goals, such as strengthening sustainable development organizations and promoting green buildings in Québec, but also to feature a large number of modern construction best practices for cold climates. The tour will, of course, show-off the building’s spectacular innovations and experimental installations, but it will focus more on the many, smaller features that are rarely found in your everyday, North American, commercial building. Many of the topics covered during the tour will be complemented with statistics from the design process that demonstrate building performance and environmental impact. Participants will also be able to view on computer screens the areas that they were not able to visit and images from the construction phase.
The visit will be led by one of the project’s initiators who participated in all stages of the design process and completed hundreds of hours of research on sustainable buildings. This wide-range of knowledge will provide participants with specific information about the Centre as well as more general information on sustainable construction.
TOUR OF MOUNT ROYAL (“THE MOUNTAIN”)
Workshop organized by the City of Montréal
Tuesday, August 23, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 CAD
Available spaces: 40
Mount Royal is an exceptional landmark and a natural belvedere that defines this island city. Its elevation, verdant slopes, and three peaks have shaped Montréal over hundreds of years, attracting people who go there to play, learn, live, and finally to rest.
The park is 200 hectares and covers close to a quarter of the surrounding districts. Plans for the park, designed in 1877 by Frederick Law Olmsted by the celebrated landscape architect who also designed New York’s Central Park, reflect his original vision of what a large urban park should be. Inspired by the “sense of place” and inherent nature of the mountain itself, he wanted to create views of the surrounding landscape along the main pathway to and from the summit. Olmsted foresaw the value of 'nature in the city' and fortunately, for close to 3.5 million visitors a year, the essence of his plan remains today.
The guides will take you on an unforgettable walk through the park, starting at the original Smith House, going up to the belvedere, and then descending the southern slope towards the downtown area. As you approach the city, you will take in breathtaking views, walk through a beautiful forest, breath in the cool freshness of nature, and discover the mountain’s poetry for yourself. Remember to wear your walking shoes!
GREEN OR GREY MONTRÉAL? ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE CITY
Workshop organized by L’Autre Montréal (“the Other Montréal”)
Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 CAD
Available spaces: 40
This mobile workshop presents major environmental issues of concern to Montrealers today, including pollution, garbage, transportation, urban sprawl, biodiversity, the state of the river… and the challenges of organizing to preserve the environment.
In the 19th century, Montrealers were busy fighting for adequate living conditions. Today, we worry about waste management, polluting the St-Laurence River, and the increase in cars. Ecologists criticize urban areas, and the older neighborhoods look good compared to the urban sprawl that feeds our high-energy consumption lifestyles. At a time when we are asking more important environmental questions than ever before, this workshop will examine some of Montréal’s major environmental problems, such as pollution, waste, transportation, urban sprawl, biodiversity, and the organizational challenges involved in preserving our environment.
TOUR OF THE SAINT-MICHEL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLEX
Workshop organized by the City of Montréal
Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 CAD
Available spaces: 40
The Saint-Michel Environmental Complex (SMEC), located on an old quarry that long served as a landfill site, is an ideal spot to witness the impact humans have had on nature. A walk around the site reveals a huge amphitheatre of high limestone walls, while below ground are mountains of waste. Instead of denying the past, current planning efforts and activities have been developed to turn this destruction into wealth. The SMEC is progressively transforming their site into a 192-hectare complex that will combine nature, culture, science, and sports. These major changes will continue until 2020.
The Complex is not just a park in an old quarry but rather a park that acknowledges its passage from quarry to landfill site to environmental, cultural, and recreational tourism complex. A visit to the SMEC is an opportunity to learn about the impact over-consumption has on the environment, understand the importance of caring for our environment, and learn about solutions and alternatives for doing so.
Visitors will develop their ecological conscience and discover new energy sources, innovative technologies, and the treasures that have been hiding in the residual material at the SMEC for nearly 450 million years.
MILTON-PARC SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY
Workshop organized by the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre
Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $20 CAD
Available spaces: 35
A high-population density and numerous cultural communities characterize the Milton-Parc neighborhood, located just outside of downtown Montréal, adjacent to McGill University. During the 1970’s, the Milton-Parc residents fought against several mega real-estate projects that threatened to destroy their neighborhood. Their success allowed them to shape Milton-Parc how they wanted, and today, the neighborhood is home to a number of innovative social housing cooperatives and not-for-profit housing organizations. It is also home to the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre – the host organization of the Ecocity World Summit.
However, a number of major issues still exist. Thousands of cars drive through Milton-Parc every day, increasing noise pollution, decreasing air quality, and reducing neighborhood safety. Rethinking Milton Street would be a way to give some space back to residents. This mobile workshop will look at how we could redesign this space. It will also give participants a chance to discover the small cool islands of vegetation that have been installed by the local community over the last few years. Come and discover on foot the history and urban design features of this dynamic and active Montréal neighborhood!
GREENING THE CITY WITH URBAN AGRICULTURE
Workshop organized by Jour de la Terre Québec (Earth Day Québec)
Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $20 CAD
Available spaces: 35
This workshop will take participants to six sites that are rich in biodiversity in the neighborhoods of Rosemont and Villeray. Transportation from one site to the other will be afoot. The tour will start close to Jarry Metro and end at Jean-Talon Market, Montréal’s largest outdoor produce market, where the Jour de la Terre will present a green terrace on one of the roofs of this wonderful Montréal institution.
The network of community gardens in Villeray includes more than 15 gardens, some of which are on balconies and roofs, as well as a program for planting fruit trees. The City of Montréal also manages two, large-scale community gardens – a real urban-agricultural inspiration. Many people also have gardens in their own backyards, and walking in the alleyways is a great way to see them. Between sites, participants will have a chance to explore the alleys and discuss related topics with their guide.
WALKABOUT QUARTERS DOWNTOWN MONTRÉAL
Workshop organized by Quartier international and Quartier des spectacles de Montréal (Montréal’s International Quarter and Festival Quarter)
Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $20 CAD
Available spaces: 35
Built between 2000 and 2004, the Quartier international de Montréal (International Quarter) designed by Daoust Lestage Architects has become a focal point of business, innovation and culture in Montréal, attracting dozens of new businesses and residents to an area that was once a desolate fringe between Old Montréal and the modern downtown built in the 1960s. Built on top of a former trenched highway, the International Quarter has won numerous awards in disciplines ranging from urban design to project management, and from tourism to public transportation. Sustainable features integrated throughout the sector such as the creation of urban plazas has led to an astonishing appropriation of public spaces by residents, tourists and neighbouring office workers.
Located at the intersection of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sainte-Catherine Street (Montréal’s historical "main streets"), the Quartier des spectacles (Festival Quarter) project seeks to create a venue for Montréal’s multiple outdoor festivals and its innumerable cultural attractions. Currently under construction, the quarter underwent massive transformation in order to create welcoming public spaces while promoting development in this key area of central Montréal. Sustainable features designed into the project include the largest water-saving public fountain in Canada, a mist gutter to curb the urban heat island effect, and a vacuum garbage collection system with separate inlets for recycling, compostables and waste (currently being installed).
This tour will guide visitors through both Quarters and introduce participants to their specific design features.
Urban Agriculture and the Making of the Edible Campus
Thursday, August 25, 10:15 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: included in registration fees
Information: ksenia.kagner@mail.mcgill.ca ksenia.kagner@mail.mcgill.ca ksenia.kagner@mail.mcgill.ca ksenia.kagner@mail.mcgill.caksenia.kagner@mail.mcgill.ca
Neither registration nor a coupon is required for this workshop.
McGill's Minimum Cost Housing Group (MCHG) and Santropol Roulant propose a full day workshop, which will focus on urban agriculture and community outreach. The collaboration between the two organizations has flourished into a project we call the Edible Campus. In order to understand the complete food cycle from growth to preparation and distribution, the workshop will take place on McGill Campus and at Santropol Roulant's headquarters in Montreal's lower Plateau neighborhood.
