Projects

Series of conferences about eco-districts (2020-2021)

November 10 2021

Coalition Climat Laval, Laval en transition and Conseil régional de l’environnement (CRE) de Laval collaborated together during 2020-2021 to organize a series of free virtual conferences dedicated to eco-districts.

Several renowned speakers from various areas of expertise offered relevant and captivating presentations. The whole project was divided in specific sub-themes related to different aspects of eco-districts. Therefore, the exploration of one sub-theme per conference encouraged a multidisciplinary approach, allowing citizens to consider today and tomorrow's challenges regarding the implementation of eco-districts, in all their diversity and complexity. At the very end of each event, attendants were invited to share ideas with the speakers as to how we can all promote the emergence of many model eco-districts in Laval.

Themes

Conference 1 - « Let's develop together... inspiring eco-districts! »

What distinguishes model eco-districts in the present context of the essential ecological transition? What are the main elements we should find in them? How can cities develop their own models based on the proximity ecological issues as well as the global ones?

Our panelists were Mr Gérard Beaudet, urbanist emeritus and full professeur at the École d’urbanisme et d’architecture de paysage of the University of Montreal and Mr Louis Milis, associated architect at the Centre d’études et de recherches d’architecture et d’urbanisme (Belgium).

Conference 2 - « Let's develop together... eco-districts for health's sake! »

Eco-districts support « human health » to ensure its resilience and its dynamism by maintaining vital functions of society. In other words, healthy humans are the reflection of a healthy society and vice versa. What are the determining factors of health in an eco-district vision, particularly in the context of the climate emergency? What lifestyles should be promoted?

Our guest speakers were two health experts, Dr Sarah Bergeron and Dr Johanne Elsener. They demonstrated the interdependence between human health and environmental quality as well as urbanized areas. Dr Bergeron is a family physician and member of La Planète s'invite en Santé's Executive Board, while Dre Elsener, veterinarian, is the president of Santé Urbanité.

Conference 3 - « Let's develop together... eco-districts for a dynamic economy! »

Eco-districts must support their territory's economy in order to maintain good evolution dynamics and ensure its sustainability. However, it is essential to define new economical activity types that are respectful of the environment to replace obsolete economic models.

In this context, what are the types of enterprises that an eco-district should favour on its territory? How can we make sure that resources and biodiversity are protected, while also answering the needs of consumers?

For this conference, we had the pleasure to welcome Mr Guillaume Lavoie, public policy entrepreneur and collaborative economy expert, and Mrs Louise Hodder, managing director of Pôle régional d'économie sociale de Laval - our implementing partner for this event.

Conference 4 - « Let's develop together... eco-districts in motion! »

Eco-districts should promote human health and attract dynamic enterprises that are respectful of the environment to ensure its sustainability. In this context, what are the types of infrastructures that an eco-district should have to support human activities as well as enteprises and institutions' activities? What types of transportation, construction and municipal architectures should be encouraged? What strategic choices in the design and construction of an eco-district should be made?

Our guest speaker was Mr Pierre Barrieau, lecturer at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQÀM) and University of Montreal (UdeM) in urban planification and transportation. We also had the pleasure to count on the support of the Société de transport de Laval (STL).

Conference 5 - « Let's create together... collaborative governance & citizen participation models! »

An ecodistrict must promote inclusion, solidarity and social cohesion, while also maintaining a focus on a feeling of belonging to the collectivity. In this context, what are the governance modes that encourage citizen participation and ensure the emergence of a vision of healthy, dynamic and resilient eco-districts? How can political actors of all levels and citizen groups collaborate to define an inspiring vision of eco-districts in their particular setting? And how can they maintain a cooperative, long-term relationship to help their eco-district grow?

Our two guest speakers were Mr François William Croteau, urban governance, ecological transition and resilience specialist, and Mrs Laurence Bherer, political science teacher at the University of Montreal.