In the past few years, and since the adoption of the strategic vision Rethinking Laval in January 2014, the island-city has been developing more and more projects that place us at the forefront of urban development.

As members of the executive committee, we are especially proud to have seen projects flourish that further emphasize the vision of a city that is both urban and close to nature. Whether it be the adoption of our new politics addressing urbanism, the implementation of municipal regulations for new constructions or the establishment of procedures enhancing best democratic practices, there are a lot of things Lavallers can be proud of. Thus, we wanted to share our pride with readers on three aspects of the city that really make us stand out.

Carré Laval
Laval, in 2019, became one of the first cities to put forward an innovative urban zone that would be carbon neutral; Carré Laval. This public space—located between the intersection of Daniel-Johnson, Saint-Martin, highway 15 and du Souvenir—includes an urban planning that is truly unique across Quebec, but that also breaks ground across North America.

The open space will welcome businesses, workers, students and Laval citizens and will specifically put forward active mobility by creating a no-car zone. Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from circulation zones but will also have access to a water, plants and a green space for leisure.

The zone is meant to create a climate where education facilities and businesses can collaborate to push technologically innovative ideas. This will, in return, enhance economic development in the city. More than 20 education facilities and institutions expressed their interest in investing in Carré Laval. They come from various fields related to sustainable development, clean economy and active mobility. Carré Laval truly sets the tone for the 2035 Vision of the city; Urban by Nature.

Carbon Emission
The City of Laval is the only city in Quebec with a program in place to compensate for carbon emissions on a municipal level. This policy touches property development specifically; a property developer wishing to obtain a construction permit issued by the City of Laval must pay $ 1.08 per m2 of the surface of the developed land. The funds collected go directly towards programs targeting greenhouse gas (GHG) diminution.

Citizens of Laval have had various opportunities as a result of this program. Since 2017, we are very happy to have given grants to convert oil-fired heating systems to electricity or renewable energy, grants for the purchase of electric assistance bikes, subsidies for water recovery barrels to reduce the water consumption, an allocation of $ 2000 for the purchase of an electric vehicle, and much more.

STL
Another way the city of Laval has shown leadership with regards to innovation has been through the Société de Transpot de Laval (STL). Last year, the STL was awarded a Jalon de la Mobilité award as Jury’s Favourite. This recognition was given for the company’s contribution to the advancement of its industry following years of innovations, accelerating the deployment of ingenious solutions in sustainable and intelligent mobility.

Numerous projects motivated this award and the STL has been at the forefront of technological development and adaptation to the growing need for an effective, innovative transport system. For starters, in 2010, it was the first transport society in Quebec to deploy a mobile application that provides real-time schedules to travelers. To date, Laval is the only transport society in Quebec and the first in Canada where you can pay by credit card when boarding the city’s buses. Finally, after having the first fully electric bus in Canada, the STL now has the first 100 <>percentage<> electric long-range urban bus, up to 250 km, running in Quebec.

Citizens of Laval should be proud to be residents of a city that integrates sustainable development principles at the core of its development. As members of the executive committee, we are more than honored to be serving citizens of the present, but also of future generations, yet another reason for Lavallers to be proud citizens of the city. Laval is moving in the right direction!