/R E P E A T -- Public consultation on the Montréal Development Plan starts this week/

MONTREAL, June 2, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Office de consultation publique de Montréal is starting this Monday its public consultation on the draft Montréal Development Plan (MDP).

The MDP outlines the major proposals set out by Montréal for the next 20 years. The consultation will provide a forum for sharing orientations and the ensuing vision, and for examining strategies and priorities to foster Montréal's development.

The Office de consultation publique is therefore calling for vast participation in a thought process and exchange of ideas on the future of our city and the themes presented in the Plan. The first step consists of a series of information sessions to allow interested citizens and groups to begin a reflection process leading them to develop informed opinions on various aspects of the Plan. They will then have the opportunity to present those opinions to the commission, which will be hearing them on September 4.

The information sessions will begin on June 3, and will all be webcast. The Office Website will also provide an opportunity to participate, via a questionnaire that everyone is invited to fill out.

The activities will be held at the Centre Mont-Royal, 2200 Mansfield Street (Peel Metro Station). Prior registration is required, at ocpm.qc.ca/inscription-pdm, except for the first presentation on June 3. More than forty speakers will present their views. Among them, Mr. Marcel Côté, Senior partner at Sécor and Mr. Bernard Landry, Professor at the École des sciences de la gestion of UQÀM and former Premier of Québec.

June 3	Presentation of the MDP
7:00 p.m.	Presentation of the process
	Presentation of the MDP
	Public question period

June 4 Montréal's leadership as a metropolis

We can all agree that Montréal is home to a number of economic command centres, and to many groups and individuals whose activities set the tone for what is done in their field, not only in America, but throughout the world. This is what makes Montréal a metropolis.

Montréal would like to strengthen its leadership as a metropolis. This can be accomplished through municipal engineering and public property development interventions, and through concrete forms of support for the human dynamic that characterizes Montréal: small businesses, cultural life, the social and solidarity movements, the social economy, etc.

What kind of leadership do we want to develop in Montréal? How do we finance our plans and expectations?

9:00 a.m.:	The nature of Montréal's leadership
1:30 p.m.:	The financial framework required for our plans and expectations

June 5 Living well in a compact city

In addition to being recognized for the vitality of its neighbourhoods, one of Montréal's strengths is the concentration of its population: 60% of that population resides within 15 kilometres of the city centre, leading to a great variety of available services. Incidentally, the city's infrastructures are in dire need of modernization.

The Ville de Montréal wants to take advantage of every opportunity to improve the quality of life in its neighbourhoods and provide Montrealers with an environment promoting health and social and demographic diversity. There is an ever increasing interest in living, working and playing close by.

What types of development and densification would allow the realization of that objective? What links should be established between employment and residential zones? What can be done to ensure an adequate housing supply, notably for families, young people and seniors? What place should be accorded to green spaces and public places? What should be made available in terms of public transit and local services? How do we reconcile Montréal's growth with heritage enhancement? What can be done to support and strengthen the creative momentum of the metropolis?

9:00 a.m.:	The compact city: density, diversity, housing and access to services
1:30 p.m.:	Heritage protection and cultural life
June 6	Economic development and transportation

Montréal, a major port city and rail freight transportation hub, also serves as an industrial, commercial, financial, cultural and university centre.

Although it is already well engaged in the new economy, Québec's metropolis must continue its transition in that respect, notably by supporting its promising companies and focusing on innovation. The Ville de Montréal aims to foster optimal conditions for the mobility of persons, goods, and ideas, while ensuring the quality of its development and economic centres.

The ongoing or anticipated modernization of a good number of its major infrastructures and the ever increasing traffic problems it will generate could be seen as an opportunity to increase the use of public and active transportation to and from areas most affected by construction and surveying activities.

9:00 a.m.:	Economic centres and urban projects
1:30 p.m.:	Towards integrated transport of goods
June 12	The future of Montréal's natural heritage

Montréal possesses rare qualities for a city of its size, notably because it comprises significant green spaces, a mountain, large nature parks, a river, and the latter's shores. It thereby provides access to nature at a reasonable distance from its central areas. Moreover, numerous local groups are working to make Montréal greener in the everyday management of its various areas, and notably waste, energy and rain water management.

The Ville de Montréal plans to devote sustained efforts to tree planting and protection, and the preservation of natural environments of interest. It also plans to works on enhancing public areas, greening neighbourhoods, and setting up additional paths for pedestrians.

What challenges will Montréal have to face to combat heat islands, and to adapt to climate changes and the extreme events that accompany them? How can we ensure that our natural assets are maintained and augmented?

What can be done to reconcile Montréal's development with the responsible management of its resources?

1:30 p.m.:	Protecting, increasing, and enhancing the natural heritage
7:00 p.m.:	Adapting to climate changes

All available information on the program may be obtained at the offices of the OCPM, 1550 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1414, and at the Direction du greffe at City Hall, 275 Notre-Dame Street East. The documentation is also available on the Office Web site, at www.ocpm.qc.ca.

SOURCE: Office de consultation publique de Montréal

For further information:

Luc Doray
514 872-3568
514 977-8365