Posting of AGIL Report titled Rapport et recommandations – Secteur Sud-Est
Dear Citizens of Westmount,
Please find attached the complete report titled Rapport et Recommandations – dans le cadre d’un exercice de planification détaillée du secteur Sud-Est de Westmount.
Commissioned by the City of Westmount, this report was written by Clément Demers, Managing Director of AGIL. Mr. Demers is widely recognized as an expert in his field. He is an architect, urban planner, project management professional and accredited mediator. His career also includes 15 years with the Ville de Montréal, where he held positions such as deputy director of urban planning and assistant director of housing and urban development.
More recently, Mr. Demers has been a driving force in some of Montreal’s most highly-regarded urban planning initiatives, including the Quartier international and the Quartier des spectacles.
The scope of this report is very broad. We – as clients – the Administration, Councilors and Mayor of Westmount, have the opportunity to read, process and reflect upon the contents of this expansive document. We also have the privilege of focusing on some conclusions while discounting others. In short, we are under no obligation to adopt the recommendations made herein. This is an opinion and will be part of the broader discussion with the community.
However, Mr. Demers’ perspectives on urban planning issues including: walkability, greenspaces, public transportation, urban design sustainability, environmental considerations, commercial vitality and traffic patterns are very much at the forefront of urban planning best practices worldwide.
Upon detailed review and assessment by the Mayor, City Council and the Administration, we have concluded that perhaps the most obvious recommendations in this report are related to the urgent need to revitalize Ste-Catherine Street between Gladstone and Atwater. This is where the work will start. Other recommendations contained herein will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with public consultation.
In reading this report, kindly keep the above context in mind. We look forward to your questions, concerns and feedback.
As a final note, the report was prepared in French and an executive summary in English has been added (page 5).
As always, thank you for your support,
Christina M. Smith
Mayor of the City of Westmount
CMS/ar