A Neighbourhood to Be Greened...and Developed

A community garden and social hub

Jardin quartier chinois

Green Chinatown Montreal

a third-generation Chinese Canadian, took on the project and launched Espace vert du Quartier chinois, the only public greenspace in the area. 

Ever since, the garden has remained true to its values, promoting intercultural and intergenerational exchange, raising awareness of food security, and supporting urban agriculture. Independently managed by the community, the garden has become a social hub tended by volunteers from diverse cultural backgrounds. The crops they grow include climbing beans, squash, and corn—mainstays of the Indigenous “Three Sisters” planting method —as well as Japanese mizuna and other Asian vegetables, carefully selected by the garden’s current coordinator, Bill Mersereau. French, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese, and even Spanish are spoken in the garden, with hand gestures and a shared love of gardening helping to bridge the gap between languages.  

The garden was located in Chinatown for six years. During that time, its members delivered baskets of fresh produce to Chinese seniors with limited mobility, providing them with nutritional food and opportunities for connection. Local seniors also enjoyed taking walks in this green haven in the city and interacting with the gardeners.

The garden has since been relocated outside of Chinatown to the intersection of Parthenais and Masson. Once again, it is helping to foster social connection. One of Janet’s proudest moments is when people who have lived in the same building for years meet for the first time in the garden. These encounters show how vital such a community space can be.

Today, Espace vert du Quartier chinois and the Hôpital chinois would like to bring the garden back to Chinatown. A group has been trying for several years to convince the City of Montréal to let them establish it in the empty lot in front of the hospital. With a local site, the community garden would once again be able to put down roots in Chinatown and start a new chapter in its inspiring story as a place of sharing—one its volunteers hope will continue for a very long time.

Tomorrow’s Chinatown

Quartier chinois - aménagement

BAnQ, Fonds Antoine Desilets, P697,S1,SS1,SSS6,D23,010.

Chinatown has long been the victim of real estate projects that have encroached on its boundaries. In less than fifty years, the once primarily residential neighbourhood became predominantly commercial. Updates to the area—the conversion of Rue De La Gauchetière into a pedestrian zone in 1981 and the construction of decorative arches to mark Chinatown’s entrances—did not contribute elements necessary for its health and vitality as a residential neighbourhood, such as schools, community spaces, and other services. Meanwhile, lack of political representation made it difficult for decision-makers to discern the community’s needs. As a result, gentrification and real estate speculation continue to pose an urgent threat to the neighbourhood.  

Today, the community is actively mobilizing to block projects such as a developer’s bid to purchase Chinatown’s most historic section. Several community leaders, the Chinatown Task Force, and allies are working to create a holistic, multi-level strategy to protect the neighbourhood. Among other things, they are urging all levels of government to grant Chinatown cultural heritage status. This measure would safeguard its buildings and support the essential activities that characterize Chinatown today, such as its Asian restaurants and businesses. In addition, it would provide zoning measures more sensitive to the community’s needs and create heritage preservation mechanisms to protect the neighbourhood. A heritage designation would, for instance, give building owners access to provincial and federal funds to restore and revitalize their properties. 

The community is also developing a long-term vision for Chinatown through dialogue among community leaders, the Chinatown Working Group, the City of Montréal, local merchants, and residents. The goal is to revitalize the area as a liveable, dynamic neighbourhood by integrating elements essential for residents and visitors. Strategies include measures to green the neighbourhood, provide affordable housing, link the community to social services, establish places of worship, create schools, and develop recreational activities. High housing costs have pushed residents out of the area: their numbers decreased by nearly fifty percent between 2006 and 2016, a decade in which rents more than doubled. 

Today, the Chinese diaspora in Montréal and its allies are brimming with ideas to revitalize Chinatown. Urban planning students have submitted development plans that are currently under the city’s review. In December 2020, the City of Montréal issued a symbolic statement of support, recognition, and solidarity for Chinatown, acknowledging its historical and cultural significance. This general statement was welcomed by anti-gentrification activists, who are now awaiting concrete measures from the government. Encouraged by this first step toward the area’s revitalization, the community is looking forward to implementing its vision for the Chinatown of tomorrow, with a focus on protecting the intangible heritage of the entire neighbourhood.