Life-Sized City Corresponding to Our Website Featured in Montreal: Luc Ferrandez Highlighted
In a thought-provoking conversation, Mikael Colville-Andersen, host of The Life-Sized City, sat down with Luc Ferrandez, the former mayor of the borough of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montreal. This discussion, part of a series of inspirational stories from a global website, took place around the world.
The conversation's topic was not specified, but it delved into the evolution of Projet Montréal, a political group that rose from local roots to become a dominant city-wide force. Projet Montréal's transformation can be traced back to its emphasis on progressive urban policies linked to public space, sustainability, and social equity, resonating across multiple Montreal boroughs.
Luc Ferrandez played a pivotal role in this evolution during his tenure as mayor of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal from 2009 to 2017. He championed policies aimed at reducing car traffic, increasing pedestrian zones, and promoting cycling infrastructure, all initiatives designed to reclaim and transform urban public spaces into more inclusive, sustainable environments.
Ferrandez was known for his efforts to combat gentrification, striving to balance development with protections for long-term residents and local businesses. This approach aligned with Projet Montréal’s broader urban vision.
The neighbourhood-based activism and policy experimentation in Le Plateau had a ripple effect, leading to increased support for Projet Montréal on a city-wide scale. The party expanded its platform around these themes, connecting public space management directly to fights against gentrification and social displacement, which widened its voter appeal.
By the 2013 municipal elections, Projet Montréal's successful borough-level governance and progressive urban agenda helped it secure more city council seats, and eventually the mayor’s office in 2017, marking its transition from localized politics to a city-wide dominant political force. The party's firm stance on enhancing public space for all residents, coupled with policies addressing the socio-economic impacts of urban change, anchored its reputation as a progressive urban political power in Montreal.
The conversation with Luc Ferrandez offers a fascinating insight into the journey of Projet Montréal and its impact on Montreal's urban landscape. The Life-Sized City continues to bring such enlightening discussions to a global audience, fostering a deeper understanding of urban transformation and innovation.
In the conversation, Mikael Colville-Andersen explored the political evolution of Projet Montréal, delving into its transformation from a local group to a city-wide dominant force, a process rooted in progressive urban policies affecting public space, sustainability, and social equity – topics that align with general news and politics. The conversation, featuring former mayor of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Luc Ferrandez, spotlighted his efforts to influence city-wide policies, such as reducing car traffic, increasing pedestrian zones, and promoting cycling infrastructure, which fall under the umbrella of political discussions and general news regarding urban planning.
