La prise en compte de la nordicité dans le design urbain des nouveaux aménagements dans la région métropolitaine de Montréal
Considering that Quebec winters are more and more changeable and unpredictable, new winter realities such as rain, ice and slush, in addition to the conditions that are considered more normal, must be taken into account in urban policies and urban planning. Different climatic elements can influence the choices and patterns of travel as well as outdoor activities. The winter weather conditions we experience in Quebec invariably have this effect on how we relate with the outdoors during this season. Furthermore, in an era of climate change where sustainable development is put forward and where we try to reconnect with local identities to create a sense of place, it is interesting to determine at what level the specificities of Quebec winter season are taken into account in the design of urban development. The goal of this research is therefore to determine how nordicity manifests itself in urban design, urban planning and urban planning policies in Quebec. First, the definition of the concept of nordicity and the principles related to climate-sensitive urban design made it possible to determine how the elements related to urbanization and the elements making up climatological phenomena interact to create microclimates. This subsequently made it possible to determine the implications here in Quebec and to explore Quebec heritage in terms of climate adaptation. Then the analysis of three new urban development projects in the metropolitan region of Montreal, namely the MIL campus and its surroundings, the Square Candiac and the Urbanova District made it possible to observe the virtual absence of consideration for nordicity and winter conditions in the conception of the urban design for these projects. In Quebec, apart from the town of Fermont, which is an example of adaptation to the climate, the efforts made to make winter accepted and appreciated seem to remain in the sphere of events and has not yet succeeded in influencing the design of our urban spaces. However, there is a rise in awareness and the advantages of having urban environments adapted to the local climate and urban forms that allow the creation of microclimates to make spaces more inviting are solutions that align with the environmental issues that are taking more and more room in the public debate.
Nordicity Planning Urban design Climat adaptation Winter