Bike paths as far as the eye can see, community gardens and a plan to stem the loss of biodiversity: Montreal represents the “tourist city of the future”, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.
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In a long reportage, the French daily reports many innovative projects that have been set in motion in Montreal in recent years, in particular to make it more respectful of the environment.
You should know that Montreal sits at the top of the North American ranking of Global Destination Sustainability Index 2022, which lists the world’s most innovative tourist destinations in terms of sustainable development. With a score of 74%, the Quebec metropolis ranks 24th in the world.
According to the report published last November, Montreal also ranks ahead of major cities, such as Paris, Berlin and Sydney.
Montreal, green city
Montreal’s cycling network, which includes nearly 720 km of snow-cleared trails in winter, offers “a natural and masterful proximity to the St. Le Figaro.
The media also mentions the City’s efforts to give Montrealers back access to the river, with projects like the Verdun urban beach.
The daily also highlights the green spaces on the island, such as Frédéric-Back Park, a former landfill site for residual waste. As explained The Figarothe methane that emerges from the site under which 40 million tonnes of stabilized waste have escaped is routed to a power plant to create electricity.
According to the newspaper, the park is a “visionary initiative and one of the most ambitious environmental rehabilitation projects in North America.”
photo-credit">Joël Lemay / Agence QMI
photo-desc">A person is cross-country skiing on this beautiful winter day at Parc Frédéric-Back, in Montreal, on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. JOEL LEMAY/AGENCE QMI
Le Figaro also evokes the many green roofs and the practice of urban agriculture, citing Lufa Farms, a company born in 2009 that grows its food in the heart of the city.
photo-credit">PHOTO Sébastien St-Jean / QMI Agency
photo-desc">Aerial view of Lufa Farms greenhouses in Montreal.
An article that delights the mayor
On Twitter, the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, was delighted with the flowers that the French newspaper launched at the French-speaking metropolis of North America.
Its publication, however, drew many negative comments. Some people have complained about the many construction sites, potholes and the rise in gun crime, among other things.
“I would like to agree with you. However, nothing has been done for the Décarie highway, […] an open bay of pollution and noise in residential neighborhoods. At least try [sic] to plant trees around it,” one person wrote.
“Yes, with shootings at all [sic] the three days, we shine in esti la grande, ”wrote another.
Another finally celebrated the report of the Figaromentioning that she was “little by little” finding the beauty of her childhood Montreal.
