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Pedestrianization of Plaza Saint-Hubert: one of the coolest streets in the world… even cooler!
29 August 2024
Crowned the one of the coolest streets in the world by TimeOut Magazine this spring, Plaza Saint-Hubert continues to shine!
The pedestrianization of this iconic Montreal street, imagined by urban planning firm Atelier Urbain, celebrates the Plaza’s unique identity and the neighborhood’s teeming multiculturalism. By transforming this street into a pedestrian space, Atelier Urbain has propelled the creation of a dynamic, friendly environment, where diversity and community are in the spotlight.
Montreal is actively promoting accessible active spaces, and the Atelier Urbain team is delighted to share and collaborate in making this vision a reality. This project demonstrates the firm’s commitment to making cities more viable, enjoyable and humane.
The development concept for the pedestrianization of Plaza Saint-Hubert is the result of an extensive collaborative process involving numerous workshops in which the local population, merchants and organizations were consulted in order to gather and enrich collective ideas and aspirations.
The premise of the concept is to recall the atmosphere that existed when neon lights and large illuminated business signs punctuated the street in the 1950s and 1960s. During the collaborative process, the rejuvenation of the Plaza initiated in 2018 was the subject of numerous discussions and recommendations marked by a desire to recapture the eclectic, effervescent atmosphere of the last century. It was in this spirit that the street furniture, pavement markings and colors that now make the street so vibrant were designed.
The new layout offers a journey between different stations with distinctive ambiences and multiple uses. These include relaxation and co-working stations, play stations, a stage, urban agriculture and more. The line between the stations and each section of the Plaza is emphasized by ground markings around which the various elements of the identity furniture and signage are interwoven.
Proud to contribute to the beautification, renewal and influence of this street, the Atelier Urbain team looks forward to carrying out similar projects in the future. Come and rediscover this welcoming space and enjoy an urban experience on a human scale, in a safe and friendly setting, until August 25!
