We are a local community group who collaborate with urban
planners and local stakeholders in working toward tangible measures and real
changes to the current use of the public realm known as “the street”. So far we
have focused on the heart of our neighbourhood, la rue St. Viateur.
Formerly known as Car Free Mile End sans voitures, ruepublique is made up of
a team of volunteers who work toward summer-time, week-end street closures
under the banner of “journées des bons voisins” -- our next event, on the 18th of September, being the last of
the season.
“We started this
project because we have perceived problems with what we’ve been told to
consider as normal. Once you start making connections, you can say on the one
hand, the status quo just isn’t right, and on the other, what little push in
the public realm can help lift us out of the rut? The main purpose is for the
research to continue and hopefully at the same time people’s understanding of
the issues evolves, and we can make real changes in response to this kind of
question.”
Journées des bons voisins is essentially your neighbourhood street
party with a purpose. This is not modeled on the St. Jean parties of yore, nor is what we do
going to resemble rue Ste. Catherine in the Village. As you walk up and down
St. Viateur today, you will find an array of cultural activity coming from a
number of different community groups, small businesses and local artists, as
well as some great bike technicians at our free bike-repair tent!
Results of Research Published
Next week's street
closure is timed to coincide with International Car Free week. In this
context, the group is pleased to present a recent McGill report entitled Repenser/Rethinking
St. Viateur – a document containing results and analysis from their recent
surveys, workshops and other research that began in early 2010. This document
will serve as a tool for further the dialogue within the community, concerning
prospective changes to the current arrangement of public space, street
amenities and quality of life in the neighbourhood.
Keep
your eyes peeled for the ruepublique booth at our upcoming event.
All are welcome to
discuss the street, public space, and the theme of car-free living. This will be the best chance yet for local
residents and merchants alike to interact and participate in the ongoing
dialogue that ruePublique has initiated.
“If we
want to somehow curb pollution and urban sprawl, and start retaining more families in town, it
is essential to create safer and stronger communities, and offer a quality of
living which cannot be reproduced in the suburbs. ”
