"In the heart of Quebec City lies the Parc linéaire de la Rivière Saint-Charles. With its lush green banks, this is my favorite place to be, whatever the season. In winter, for skating, cross-country skiing or tobogganing; in spring, to see the trees in bloom; in summer, to cool off, bike and eat with the family; in autumn, to smell the apples and admire the colorful trees. 25 years ago, this place was known for its high, inhospitable walls, which were described as a concrete coffin. Back then, people shunned the banks of this river, whose measured concentration of fecal coliforms was akin to an open-air dump. It was thanks in part to a mobilized group of citizens committed to change that action was taken and change began.
Now, the cohabitation of uses is to the benefit of all clienteles: the students with primary and secondary schools, retirees with numerous parks and meeting places, workers who use this green corridor for active mobility, and families with the multitude of activities we can enjoy here. It's also the backbone that unites all the central neighborhoods of Quebec City's lower town, which would otherwise be isolated by the highways that obstruct the urban fabric. Over the years, a number of buildings have sprung up near the waterfront, and these have been designed with an eco-neighborhood perspective, favoring mixed use, sustainable materials and a concern for integrating with the existing landscape and respecting the natural setting. In my opinion, it's a positive experience, because it shows that we sometimes need to recognize past mistakes and listen to citizens in order to develop sustainable, exceptional places that benefit an entire community." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.79).
Photo credit: Ville de Québec
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Publication:7 September 2025