Concentrating at first around the port and the Lachine Canal, then next to the rail network, employment areas now tend to locate along the major highways that cross Montréal. Given their varying forms and specialities, they attract a variety of businesses.

The eastern and western employment areas of the City consist mainly of industrial areas presenting a substantial number of vacant lots, while other areas have a conversion potential that could allow them to renew their economic activities.

By defining the configurations and roles of City areas that are reserved for employment purposes and by clarifying development objectives, particularly for areas to be built or transformed, the Plan is creating favourable conditions for investment and reinvestment in Montréal.

In the interest of consolidating Montréal’s territory with respect to its existing and projected transportation network, the Plan favours the redevelopment and the densification of business and retail areas. As major service nodes distributed throughout the City, they have potential for intensified service and office activities. To varying degrees, there are opportunities in these areas for reorganizing parking areas and for transforming the built form in order to improve the quality of the urban landscape.

The Master Plan prescribes changes to the road network that will improve the accessibility of employment areas, especially industrial ones. These improvements will open up new sites for development within underused or destructured areas.

To bolster the transformation of the City’s economy, the Master Plan supports the revitalization and redevelopment of sites previously occupied by heavy industry or railyards. The rehabilitation of these sites will contribute to the renewal of the City as well as create added value for its economy.

The Plan sets four actions relative to employment areas.

8.1

Support the development of quality employment areas See this action

8.2

Promote the densification and redevelopment of business and retail areas See this action

8.3

Develop new sites for employment purposes by reconfiguring the road network See this action

8.4

Redevelop large abandoned sites in order to prepare them for new economic activities See this action