To complement various real estate development incentive programs (see Objective 2), the Ville de Montréal will step up its efforts in some mixed-use or residential areas with a view to consolidating the urban fabric. Some of these are large vacant sites that are well-suited to residential construction, or areas whose high potential for residential development has been slow to materialize under current conditions.

The division of land among several owners often constrains residential development. The nature and intensity of surrounding activities is also a major deterrent to the development of the residential function in some of the Centre's areas. This is particularly visible in Faubourg Saint-Laurent and Old Montréal, which are especially busy in summer.

Faubourg Québec

Upon completion, Faubourg Québec will count over 1,000 households consisting of 2,500 to 3,000 residents, which is sufficient to make neighbourhood services viable. The Plan confirms the development of the Belvédère De La Commune, which will complement Dalhousie Place. It also confirms the creation of a walkway extending the axis of Amherst over the train tracks, enabling pedestrian access to the Clocktower Basin from De La Commune. The Plan also calls for the redesign of Carré Viger, next to the Faubourg, in order to improve links between the Faubourg and the living environments north of the Autoroute Ville-Marie (see Section 4.4).

Faubourg Saint-Laurent

Faubourg Saint-Laurent contains many vacant lots that could accommodate new buildings, some of which could be residential. However, the desire to increase the residential function should be weighed against the strong presence of leisure and institutional activities within and around the Faubourg.

Habitations Jeanne-Mance also includes a large underused area, whose density could be increased. The Ville de Montréal supports new residential construction on this site by a redesign process that would reconnect the area with the rest of the Faubourg. The whole of Faubourg Saint-Laurent will be subject to a detailed planning process by the Borough of Ville-Marie.

Faubourg des Récollets

Faubourg des Récollets has undergone a significant positive transformation with the impetus given by the development of the Cité Multimédia. There are still numerous parking lots, vacant lots and underused buildings that require further revitalization. Its northern section, adjacent to the Quartier international de Montréal, is markedly destructured.