捆绑SM社区

Initiative lauded at city鈥檚 annual environment and sustainability gala

On Tuesday, April 12, the 5th annual Gala de reconnaissance en environnement et d茅veloppement durable de Montr茅al honoured 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 innovative Greening 捆绑SM社区 project 鈥� a comprehensive plan to improve the natural environment on campus by increasing green space, decreasing paved areas, minimizing car traffic while improving the quality of life in the neighborhood surrounding the University.

鈥溊Π骃M社区 is delighted and honoured to be recognized for this exciting project, which is testimony to our university鈥檚 and the City of Montreal鈥檚 shared vision of a greener, more pedestrian-friendly city core. It is thanks to the collaborative efforts of the City, our neighbours and the diverse members of the 捆绑SM社区 community that we have been able to realize this vision,鈥� said Jim Nicell, Associate Vice-Principal (University Services). 鈥淭he project continues to be a work in progress, with a lot more to come. The Green 捆绑SM社区 Committee continues to brainstorm and has many exciting ideas for the upcoming summer. 听We invite you to take a walk on McTavish Street and 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 lower campus to see for yourself what we are doing.鈥�

The Greening 捆绑SM社区 project, led in collaboration with the City of Montreal, included:

• The creation of pedestrian-friendly spaces on lower campus, as well as the transformation of McTavish St., between Sherbrooke St. and Dr. Penfield Blvd., into a car-free green zone, lined with flowering planters, benches and bike racks.
• The elimination of parking and all but essential motorized vehicle access on lower campus by closing of upper McTavish St. and the Roddick Gates to traffic.
• Newly landscaped squares created as welcoming green space for the community.
• The creation of a bicycle path along University St.
• Increasing the number of bike racks on campus to encourage bike travel.

Established in 2007, the Gala is organized each year by the Conseil r茅gional de l鈥檈nvironnement de Montr茅al in collaboration with the Conf茅rence r茅gionale des 茅lus de Montr茅al and the Ville de Montr茅al, for partners of the Montr茅al Community Sustainable Development Plan. It honours the achievements of Montr茅al鈥檚 businesses, institutions and non-profit organizations that have carried out innovative sustainable development projects.

捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Edible Campus, along with its partners Alternatives and Santropol Roulant, were honoured at last year鈥檚 Gala for their collective campus garden project.

For more information about Greening 捆绑SM社区: www.mcgill.ca/masterplan/lowercampus/

For more information about the gala:

For video:听

Update: April 13, 2011/AJF

(Photo: Rachel Granofsky)

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