2050 Land Use and Mobility Plan
Adopted in June 2025, the 2050 Land Use and Mobility Plan aims to plan today the city of tomorrow. Its objective is to transform the city’s urban development model, focusing on the territory’s assets in order to improve our quality of life for the next 25 years.
Rethinking the development of our territory
The 2050 Plan takes into account the needs of the population and serves as a framework for actions to be taken with respect to mobility, housing, economic development, ecological transition, public facilities, the environment and heritage.
It is centred around the following 4 principles:
• The ecological transition and biodiversity
• Urban health and safety
• Social and territorial equity
• Cultural vitality and design quality
In 2050, Montréal will be…
A city with an exceptional quality of life
In 2050, Montréal will be a city where residents will evolve within safe and inclusive neighborhoods at a human scale, and where high-quality local services will coexist with accessible socialization areas. Equity and solidarity will be key values in all neighbourhoods.
To preserve natural living environments and biodiversity, the city will optimize land-use, while adapting building density to each environment. The height, surface area and space occupied by buildings will be reassessed.
Urban growth is essentially realized in areas to be developed that have great potential for transformation, such as the future Namur-Hippodrome district, located in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.
Thus, the city aims to develop complete neighbourhoods that will meet residents’ daily needs (stores, libraries, parks, etc.).
An exemplary city in terms of mobility
To create complete neighborhoods, the city is rapidly and massively developing active, shared and public transportation systems that are universally accessible across its territory. In 2050, 3 out of every 4 routes travelled in the city will use public or active transportation.
Transportation is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, which is why Montréal has taken several actions to :
- Reduce the need and distance for travel around the city
- Improve access to services
- Increase the supply of active and public transportation
Beacon actions in terms of mobility pertain to modes of transportation, the sharing of public areas and accessibility to employment hubs.
The city chose to prioritize modes of transportation that leave low environmental footprints. We are seeking to consolidate the current public transportation system and to create complementary mobility systems to integrate walking, biking, car sharing and public transportation.
To develop these sustainable mobility systems, the Plan aims to implement a vast tramway network, to increase the number of bike paths and to enhance the quality of major safe pedestrian routes.
An accessible city
By 2050, more than 180,000 dwelling units will be built in Montréal, which will help guarantee an abundant and diverse supply of high-quality, affordable housing.
As Montréal faces a shortage of affordable housing units, the Plan provides mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of worksites over the next few years.
To secure a significant affordable housing supply, the city prioritizes non-market dwelling units held by social organizations such as cooperatives, NPO’s or social trusts, and that are not subject to speculation.
As part of the Louvain Est eco-district, in Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, between 800 and 1,000 dwelling units will be built, at least 50% of which will be destined for social and community housing. The project will yield a complete eco-district according to principles of solidarity and sharing.
A green city
By 2050, nature will be omnipresent across the city. 40% of the territory will be green, and green corridors will span over 70 km.
The Plan sets ambitious greening goals for Montréal and aims to preserve wetlands and natural living environments. The city is opting for the purchase of natural habitats as the best means of expanding its large parks. Significant efforts are also being made to improve access to shores and riverbanks.
Much like all large cities worldwide, Montréal is also affected by all kinds of climate-related hazards. Various extreme climate events impact people’s lives and pose a risk to infrastructures. Various initiatives aiming to adapt the territory to climate change have already yielded positive results. These include sponge parks that absorb stormwater and redirect it during periods of torrential rain. This relieves some of the pressure placed on the city’s drain systems. Various sponge parks will be added over the next few years, including the sponge park projected for the Atwater water filtration plant, in Verdun borough.
A city that stimulates economic growth
Industrial districts and employment hubs will be characterized by a higher building density, all while being greener, more diversified and highly accessible. The downtown core will bustle with liveliness and economic and cultural vitality. Commercial throughfares and hubs will be complement.
Montréal is a globally connected business and knowledge hub with a flourishing economy. By providing complete living environments that are both greener and well-serviced, the city aims to attract qualified workers and leading sector investments. Montréal also aims for more flexible regulatory frameworks, in order to maximize the occupancy of its commercial buildings and to support businesses as they adapt to new market realities.
Through its strategy dedicated to the downtown core, Montréal continues to intensify its actions, in collaboration with all partners, in order to strengthen its economic vitality.
A city that values its heritage
In 2050, the components of Montréal’s landscape, such as insularity, diversity and built assets will be enhanced, whether they are of exceptional or simply of local value.
The city seeks to preserve its built heritage and to encourage occupancies that offer mutual benefits to Montrealers. Views of significant landscapes, such as Mount Royal, the Saint Lawrence River and other iconic elements will be preserved. Characteristics that distinguish the city’s various districts will also be preserved. Buildings will be adapted to the hazards of climate change and will be more energy efficient. The presence of Indigenous Peoples will be highlighted through various developments.
As a UNESCO Design City, Montréal also relies on exemplary projects with respect to architecture and design to enhance its landscapes and contribute to a renewed urban experience.
An action plan to implement the 2050 Land Use and Mobility Plan
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