Perhaps the most ambitious car-free scheme in North America, Montréal has pedestrianized 11 commercial arteries—totalling 9.4 kilometres—in seven boroughs this summer. A pandemic-era initiative pushed by chambers of commerce, they have quickly become cherished destinations for locals and tourists alike.

Montréal City Hall invested $12-million between 2022 and 2024 to open the streets in front of 2,100 local businesses: “The boroughs, business owners, residents, customers, passers-by, and tourists appreciate the quality of life offered by pedestrianization projects.” - Mayor Valérie Plante.

Ultimately, these car-free streets are built on the recognition that shopping districts can either attract cars or people. They can’t successfully do both. And in an age of online retail, these brick-and-mortar businesses realize that they really can’t compete on expedience—so they must compete on experience.

Via: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbruntlett/

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