"One stitch does not mend a tear"
It takes more than one stitch to mend torn urban fabric. Urban fabric is like an intricate, pulsating patchwork of different textiles, spread out on several layers. In some cities like Quebec, rivers slice through the fabric like scissors, separating and isolating the elements of one side from the other. Typical riverfront regeneration focuses on one particular point, or one "stitch" on the river, failing to take into account the effect that the point will have on the surrounding fabric over time. In most cases this single stitch is gradually weakened and eventually torn apart by the strain of separate textiles. In other cases, the stitch is isolated from the neighboring context, having no impact on its surroundings. Thus an entirely new approach is needed to patch the river deeper and tighter into the urban fabric, therefore resisting the tensional forces of conflicting elements, in some cases, even reversing those forces to bring separate elements together to create new possibilities.
"Coexistence of river and city throughout history"
The four rivers thrived as major arteries throughout the early history of Quebec, providing routes for trade and nourishment for towns that sprouted along their peripheries. As the modes of trade shifted and pollution took its toll, the relevance of the four rivers faded and the rivers became more and more neglected. The rivers, which used to function as arteries, started to function as walls. The riverside space, usually the most valuable parcels of land, were subject to years of decay until they were rediscovered in the recent years.
"Culture flows where the rivers flow"
Immense potential was found in these neglected spaces that could be further amplified when connected with the potential found in areas surrounding the rivers. These surrounding areas are currently cut off from the rivers by poor urban planning and measures are needed to dilute the distinct borders. We thus propose a series of interwoven cultural "estuaries," that will join several points of interest into groups and connect those groups to the river nodes. The rivers will thus be able to penetrate deeper into the fabric of Quebec city and therefore the broken connections between river and city, east bank and west bank, zone and zone, element and element, will be mended as one sustainable entity, breathing and interacting as one. The rivers will regain their function as arteries, culture, instead of traffic coursing through their veins. Points that are in need of regeneration will be revived in relation to other points. Points that are isolated will be connected to other points, promoting synergy. It is this "joining of the dots" that makes our proposal more sustainable, resilient and potent than simply working on the dots themselves. This strategy will restore and enhance the roles of the rivers, rediscovering their purpose in such a beautiful and diverse city. Our vision of Quebec is one that is vibrant and embracing; it is unprecedented yet promising and powerful.
(Competitor's text)
This proposal generated a great deal of discussion within the jury, with aspects that were both highly appreciated and raised important reservations. Firstly, the rather singular graphic choices, which are striking at first glance, encourage reverie, which is perceived by some as a great quality, while for others, they result in little recognition of Quebec, clearly at odds with the objectives of anchoring the proposal in the characteristics of the environment. Secondly, the concept of the "loop" (which is difficult to translate) offers on the one hand a new reading of the possibilities and gives a new coherence to what currently seems to have none, opening the door to many interesting interpretations, particularly on the conceptual level. But on the other hand, it is less convincing in its geometric reality, its benefits being hypothetical and its implementation problematic. All in all, the proposal appeared very attractive in its idealized, even utopian dimension, but rather hermetic and difficult to imagine in its applications, hardly feasible. A closer look at some of the drawings reveals that, even if they are suggestive, the proposed solutions are simply unrealistic. Nonetheless, this proposal offers an abundance of dreamlike ideas, which in itself justifies a place among the winners in the context of an ideas competition (especially as it connotes dreams in its name). In terms of conceptualization and expression, it was described as exceptional by several members of the jury. Plate 2 was judged to be the best of the three, demonstrating careful, rigorous and imaginative work on the possible spatial arrangements of the concept on several strategic sites. Although the team did not include an environmental resource explicitly named in its entry form, the jury maintained its decision not to disregard its proposal and to award it 3rd prize.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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