Project description

Area 

The Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood, spanning over 95 hectares, is located near Namur metro station and includes the site of the former hippodrome. It is bounded on the east side by lots bordering on Avenue Victoria, on the south and west sides by the rights of way of the Canadian Pacific (CP) railway, and on the north side, by the municipal limits of Ville de Mont-Royal and by Rue Jean-Talon Ouest. 

Benefits to the community 

Between 18,500 and 20,000 dwelling units will be built, including between 7,500 and 9,000 dwellings on the former hippodrome site. A significant portion of these dwelling units will be meant for social and community housing that will be affordable and family-friendly. 

• Stores and businesses. 

• Approximately 14 hectares of green public areas, including a unifying central park and a green belt. 

• Accessible active and public transportation systems that are connected to the existing system. 

• Green infrastructures and water management infrastructures (such as rain gardens and/or a water square.) 

• Civic activity hubs that meet the needs of the community (schools, community center, library, sports facilities, healthcare facilities.)

Project steps

Citizen consultation 

The territory of the future Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood is a significant component of the Namur-De la Savane strategic planning area, as shown in the Schéma d’aménagement et de développement de l’agglomération de Montréal (SAD) since 2015. Ever since, various studies, analyses and public consultations have further defined the orientations for the development of this area. 

In 2019, a public consultation held by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) had helped improve the vision, the preliminary orientations and the enhancement principles that had been determined. In 2021, a global plan was submitted for collaborative review with key stakeholders. A citizen consultation was also held, in order to determine the needs for equipment and public areas. 

A new partnership was implemented in May of 2023, through the creation of the Groupe d’accélération pour l’optimisation du projet de l’hippodrome (GALOPH). Montréal, the governments of Québec and of Canada, as well as housing, real estate, community and social economy stakeholders also converged with the common goal to develop a business plan for this ambitious urban project. 

The Plan directeur d’aménagement et de développement du secteur (PDAD) issued by the city reflects Montréal’s vision for the future of the Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood and proposes five main development orientations: 

• An inclusive and resilient neighborhood where decisions are centered around the health of its residents and of its natural environment. 

• Parks, green spaces and public areas that are user friendly to the entire community while also contributing to water management and biodiversity. 

• A mobility system that prioritizes the most vulnerable users and that promotes active, collective and shared transportation. 

• Collective, shared equipment hubs that meet the needs of the entire population, taking into account its diverse nature. 

• A variety of urban uses and housing types within a compact living environment that is developed at a human scale and from a carbon-neutral perspective. 

Upcoming stages 

The planning of the Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood is ongoing. The Namur-Hippodrome master plan was disclosed in April of 2024, along with a proposed amendment to Montréal’s Master Plan. This significant milestone will enable the beginning of the first real estate development projects.

Main upcomming planning stages of the Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood: 

• Preliminary adoption of the Namur-Hippodrome master plan: April 2024 

• Public consultation concerning the Namur-Hippodrome master plan: Spring of 2024; 

• Final adoption of the Namur-Hippodrome master plan: Fall of 2024.