More than 200 unbuilt lots, covering approximately 60 hectares (an area twice as large as Parc La Fontaine), dot the Centre of Montréal. Their development would consolidate the built environment and increase the Centre's vitality, by accommodating new activities and households.

The great majority of the Centre's unbuilt lots are operated as street-level parking lots. This use depreciates the Centre's environment in various ways and its profitability jeopardizes prospects for consolidating the urban fabric.

The City favours reducing the demand for long-term parking, by supporting a form of urbanization that encourages the use of public transportation for work trips. Objective 3 of the Plan lists actions for reducing off-street outdoor parking.

The Plan requires that buildings located in the Ville-Marie Borough west of Amherst locate all required parking spots inside buildings. A maximum number of parking spots will be set for buildings located in the vicinity of metro or train stations (see action 3.5).

More broadly, the City will take steps to stimulate real estate development on vacant lots and off-street outdoor parking lots.

Implementation measures

• Implement a strategy for developing the Centre's unbuilt lots that provides for:
  • Strict application of parking by-laws;
  • New standards for the layout of parking lots;
  • Acquisition and parcelling of lots by the City;
  • Development of new public spaces that will help shape new real estate projects;
  • Financial support or tax breaks for development of unbuilt lots.

The conversion of some parking areas into public spaces is already underway. Place Eugène-Lapierre and Jardin du Gesù are to be developed by the City beginning in 2005.