According to “Vivre en ville”, a public interest organization that contributes throughout Quebec to the development of sustainable communities, an eco-district is first and foremost a well-located neighborhood that is perfectly integrated into its metropolitan area. It is a complete living environment: it ensures the proximity of everyday services, is accessible by sustainable modes of transport, and offers quality public spaces. The streets are designed on a human scale, they are more “living spaces” than traffic routes: active travel is a priority. The buildings are comfortable, accessible, and efficient. They contribute to the quality of the environment.

An eco-district must, of course, respond to environmental considerations and achieve high standards in terms of protection of natural environments, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, etc. However, if municipalities and families are interested in eco-neighborhoods, it is certainly because of their ecological advantages, but just as much, if not more so, because they are quality living environments. Designing an eco-neighborhood starts with a comprehensive approach.

This cannot be done by a cosmetic approach, nor by a silo-based approach, or by a ad hoc approach. Thus, an eco-district/neighborhood is neither:

• a real estate development with energy efficient buildings.
• an urban island built within the heart of nature.
• a showcase of high-performance technological solutions.
• a fortress reserved for a wealthy population and isolated from its surroundings.

On the contrary, an eco-district/neighborhood must be:

• a living environment that is as complete as possible, meeting the different needs of a diverse population.
• a neighborhood connected to its environment.
• an opportunity to improve the existing area, for the district/neighborhood itself and for its surroundings.
• solutions that are structuring and effective in the long-term.

An eco-district/neighborhood is intended to be a model of urbanization that ensures the quality of life of its residents and significantly reduces the use of natural, energetic, and financial resources during its construction and the lifestyle of its citizens.

Being aware of the issues and concerns of citizens, the Quartier Melrose development project was submitted for study by “Vivre en Ville”. Their analysis considers the principles of eco-neighborhoods, specifically the position adopted by the City Council in June 2020 on the urban vision of Rosemère, the results of the February-May 2019 and June 2020 public consultations, and the best practices for eco-neighborhoods.

After an in-depth analysis of the project, “Vivre en Ville” verdict is clear:  “the development project on the former golf course meets the requirements and criteria in respect of the metropolitan area community levels to become an eco-neighborhood” .

Read the full analysis

Quartier Melrose has been designed with the constant concern of the “Rosemèrois.e.s” to preserve as much green space as possible and to avoid the destruction and endangerment of the natural areas on the site. Thus, and by way of comparison, it is important to remember that all the green spaces offered in the planning of the Quartier Melrose is close to 32 hectares, which is more than twice the current combined area of the Town’s largest parks. 

The central park alone represents approximately 900,000 square feet of green space including multipurpose facilities whose planning meets the needs of a diverse clientele highlighting the surrounding ecological assets of the site.

According to the proposed planning, the Quartier Melrose anticipates 50% of public green spaces. This is an unprecedented percentage for this type of project and goes well beyond the 10% required by applicable planning and development legislation. Not only is the project targeting a conservation area of 40% above legal and regulatory obligations, but this 50% would be at zero cost for the Town and its citizens by accepting all the proposed terms of the project.

It is worth emphasising that this percentage of 50% is unprecedented in Quebec when one compares the project to that of other eco-neighborhoods, in particular those of d’Estimauville (24%), Pointe-aux-Lièvres in Quebec City (35%), the agro-district of the Sabourin sector in Saint-Bruno (25%), the TOD eco-district of La Prairie-Sur-le-Parc (24%), phase 3 of the Bois-Franc project in Montreal (30%) or the Chambéry Project in Blainville (20%) .

To ensure the success of such green space planning, the Quartier Melrose plans for a development that meets the density and implementation requirements sought in such circumstances. The development as proposed will therefore guarantee such an ambitious provision of green spaces. 

Once completed, the Quartier Melrose will have a municipal real estate value of more than $850 million, thus generating additional tax revenues of $6 million for the Town of Rosemère year after year. It represents an increase of revenues of approximately 20% for the Town. This increase can be applied against the average home property tax for all property for approximately 500$, year after year.

The market potential that could be generated by the project’s future residents has been estimated at over $45 million annually. This is a 45% increase over the current $100 million. This is a considerable potential contribution to a sector of activity (retail) which has been experiencing obvious difficulties in recent years. This will help sustain Rosemère’s economic vitality in the medium and long term, which respect the will of a proud, green, and prosperous Town.