The Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam project received top honors at the Grands Prix du génie-conseil québécois in Montreal, Canada. This innovative project, the first water square in Quebec, received an award in the Urban Infrastructure category for its bold, multifunctional style.
Built on the site of a former gas station, the Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam project transformed the space into a dynamic public square and climate-resilient green oasis in the heart of Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. This sustainable infrastructure is recognized not only for its unique and green design, but also for its significant contribution to reducing heat islands and water overflow through temporary stormwater retention, as well as complete infiltration of major rainfalls. Given today’s urgent need to act on climate change, the development of resilient parks, like Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam is an important innovation for increasingly frequent and heavy rains.
This multidisciplinary project, in collaboration with NIPPAYSAGE, is the result of a design and development process spanning nearly four years. “The City had to decontaminate the land so we could turn it into this resilient oasis. Our teams then began construction of the bioretention basins in which decorative mist blowers were installed, as well as vegetation areas to reduce heat islands. Lastly, we integrated street furniture into the environment to encourage people to gather in this central space,” says Alexandre Lynch, Project Manager, Urban Infrastructure.
The square takes its name from the award-winning song by singer-songwriter Jean-Pierre Ferland, “Les fleurs de macadam,” that describes an ecological transition in the face of climate change.
Congratulations to the teams who worked on this innovative project!
Learn more about the project here.
