Quebec City is a historic Gateway into Canada with diverse linguistic and demographic character. It has varied physical features such as hills, rivers, forests and plains. However, rapid urbanization seems to have distracted public eye away from one of its most valuable resources - Its Rivers. Cap Rouge, St. Charles, Beauport and Montmorency cut through Quebec City and flow into St. Lawrence. These Rivers not only transport surface water keeping the city free from floods, but also provide a lot ofopen space. However, major stretches of Riverfronts are inaccessibleas they are privatized by backyards of building plots, disconnected by roads and parking lots, tucked under culverts and ducts, or ignored behind perimeter walls protecting private homes. This takes away almost 3,500 Acres (or 28sq.m per person) of usable space along the Rivers that would not only enhance the City's livability, but also improve its natural resilience against climate change related disasters and annual floods. Quebecers and Quebecois celebrate the City's heritage and architecture, but ignore its marine history. Currently, it is only Autoroutes and highways traversing across all Rivers that provide clear views of the Rivers. What if these grey swaths are reimagined as vibrant fluid ribbons knit through the city to strengthen ties between people, infrastructure and nature? Utilizing this infrastructural network as a key element, a new vision for designing Quebec City's Riverine Master Plan is proposed.
The roads crisscross the city like lines across the palm of a hand. When planned, these lines were meant to be harbingers of prosperity and development replacing the once welcoming tree lined river's ecological corridors. However, with global climate change impacts and awareness of livable planning innovations, new softer lines need to be included to revitalize Quebec City.
The design methodology is based on a high level assessment of the land use, circulation andtopographical conditions surrounding the Rivers. Due to absence of block level data, socioeconomic and sociocultural characteristics have been generalized. An in-depth study including social impact assessment will be required before finalizing the master plan.
Key nodes of four rivers are not only connected by Autoroutes and important boulevards, but also integrated by their softer urban character at junctions.At nodes, multi-purpose stepwells, amphitheaters, plazas, and parks will welcome locals and visitors to celebrate Quebec City's Rivers, and also double up as water retention and treatment chambers to protect it from floods. Even during winters when water freezes, these spaces could host popular activities such as ice fishing, skating, ice sculpting, ice cafes, bars, ice pond hockey, cultural festivities (Puvirnituq snow festival), etc. As such, these proposals would not only activate the Rivers at specific spots, but also provide opportunities to reinvigorate their entire length. Once all Riverfronts are returned to Quebecers and Quebecois, public land uses such as institutional centres(Schools, libraries, universities, museums, aquariums, sports centres) and affordable housing shall be encouraged to ensure constant symbiotic interaction between man and nature.
Implementation can be planned without disturbing business as usual conditions as sites along Rivers are largely vacant (albeit inaccessible). Parts within private plots would have to be negotiated with owners in exchange of tax breaks/ carbon credits. This proposal would not only strengthen Quebec City's flood and storm resilience, but also provide spaces for people to meet, learn, talk, debate, laugh, love, play and celebrate making it healthier and happier for generations to come.
(Competitor's text)
3 scanned / 3 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
