At a time when the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the “cataclysmic” consequences of climate change and exposes the predominant role of cities in the fight against these changes, it is more than ever necessary to transform the layout of our towns and villages.
Posted at 10:00 a.m.
In recent years, planning inconsistencies have followed one another and have had many negative consequences for our communities, our heritage and our natural and agricultural environments. Building in flood zones, ransacking natural habitats, destroying agricultural land and erecting car-dependent neighborhoods are just a few examples of bad decisions that result from the absence of a common and rigorous national vision.
This lack of vision has a cost: urban sprawl is one of the main causes of environmental degradation in Quebec.
In addition to increasing our carbon footprint, urban sprawl drives up public infrastructure costs and puts enormous pressure on agricultural land and natural environments.
The ecosystem services of these environments not only have an essential role in the balance of the climate, but also represent services with inestimable costs: maintenance of biodiversity, water filtration, pollination, etc.
As the IPCC has pointed out, cities have a key role to play. The current development of the National Policy for Architecture and Regional Planning falls directly within this perspective.
Land use planning is a transversal intervention tool. Well thought out, it is the keystone for ensuring the prosperity and resilience of communities and ecosystems. The future national policy must guarantee the protection of biodiversity by protecting and restoring natural environments, while improving the ecological corridors essential to the survival of species.
It is by transforming our living environments that we will improve the quality of life of Quebec families, thanks to greener neighborhoods, local services and the offer of transportation alternatives that are less expensive than the automobile.
The necessary solutions
The National Architecture and Regional Development Policy is an opportunity to adopt a strong and coherent vision to ensure the protection of the environment.
The Government of Quebec will have to coordinate development objectives while providing cities and towns with the tools needed to plan complete and sustainable living environments.
It will have to set an example, particularly in the choice of the location of public buildings, from the smallest to the largest (think of the current debate on the choice of the location of the future hospital in the Outaouais).
The future national policy has the potential to instil in local authorities the political will to use the tools at their disposal to plan the territory in a sustainable manner, in addition to being an opportunity to improve this toolbox. As such, it will be necessary, for example, to quickly modernize the Expropriation Act.
The Union of Quebec Municipalities is calling for $100 million a year to implement sustainable land development practices. The creation of such a fund, which would contribute to urban consolidation through urban requalification and green densification strategies, is also supported, among others, by the G15+ collective.
Throughout Quebec, the housing crisis is exacerbating social and economic inequalities. The government must address population growth by stimulating the construction of affordable and diversified housing in sectors favorable to walking, cycling and public transport.
A policy expected from all sides
The National Policy on Architecture and Land Use Planning, whose adoption is expected by the end of the spring, is awaited from all sides. A year ago, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion presented by the current mayor of Longueuil, Catherine Fournier, to demand a national policy that will ensure better protection of natural environments, forest land and agricultural land.
Thousands of people took part in the national conversation on urban planning and land use planning launched in January 2021 by the government. For example, health and social services stakeholders have taken part in this major discussion by promoting complete living environments, conducive to active travel, in order to ensure the prevention of chronic diseases. Several Quebec mayors also have expectations of this national policy, which they hope will lead to strong actions and common rules.
The adoption of the national policy is an opportunity to mobilize the population on the multiple issues arising from territorial planning. It is also essential to initiate and maintain a real dialogue with the First Nations and the Inuit.
Transforming land use planning practices is therefore a top priority for the environmental movement in Quebec today. The government must have the courage to adopt a policy guaranteeing sustainable, coherent and fair land use planning. He must go forward.
* Co-signers: Isabelle Beruberesponsible for the Municipal Biodiversity Fund, SNAP Québec; Sandrine Cabana DeganiDirector of Piétons Québec; Jerome DuprasAssociate Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais; Johanne Elsenerpresident of Santé Urbanité; Cyril FrazaoExecutive Director of Nature Québec; Catherine GauthierExecutive Director of Environnement Jeunesse; Jeanne-Helene Jugiecoordinator of the Green Belt Movement; Shawn-Patrick Stensildirector of programs at Greenpeace Canada; Sophie Anne LegendreActing Director General of the Center québécois du droit de l’environnement; Dr. Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiersfamily physician and president of the Quebec Association of Physicians for the Environment (AQME); Jean-Francois RheaultPresident and CEO of Vélo Québec; Martin Vaillancourt, Director General of the Regroupement des Conseils Régionaux de l’Environnement du Québec; Marc-Andre ViauDirector of Government Relations at Équiterre