Plante administration unveils final version of 2050 Urban and Mobility Plan

The City of Montreal revealed the final version of its 2050 Urban Planning and Mobility Plan (PUM) on Wednesday, approved by the executive committee.

It’s said to be road map that will lead the evolution of Montreal’s neighbourhoods, mobility, and collective spaces.

The plan looks to accelerate the development of complete, accessible, green, and safe neighbourhoods and establish the conditions for the construction of nearly 200,000 housing units — 20 per cent of which will be off-market.

It also seeks to create a tramway network of over 180 km and protect 459 hectares of wetlands and bodies of water.

The plan also sets a goal of greening 40 per cent of the territory – with 70 km of green corridors.

“Montrealers are craving for more green spaces. They want to keep the soul of the city, but at the same time, they want us to find solution for that housing crisis, how to build more,” Plante said.

Since its first presentation in June 2024, the PUM has been enhanced through a vast public consultation conducted by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM).

Five-Year Action Plan

To move quickly from the planning phase to implementation, the City is adopting an action plan to address the most urgent issues, as requested during the consultations.

More than 75 actions are expected to guide the city’s development over the next five years.

The 2025-2030 action plan aims specifically to support economic and cultural vitality to benefit the community by strengthening financial support for businesses and commercial sectors while ensuring the continuation of the financial support program for independent performance venues with fewer than 1,000 seats.

Also, it seeks to restore and renovate eight heritage buildings; apply preventive inspection to 8,000 buildings with six or more dwellings over a five-year period; and promote the construction of and access to housing, employment, and local services for all.

The plan will additionally reinforce active, public, and shared transportation networks through transitional sustainable mobility corridors, such as the one on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard, and complete planning and begin implementation of the Eastern Structural Public Transit Project; preserve and enhance natural environments by curbing urban sprawl and promoting appropriate density, including the rehabilitation of nearly 6 km of riverbanks in major parks.

Mayor Valérie Plante said she’s looking forward to the results of the 2050 Urban and Mobility Plan.

“I am proud to leave the population and future administrations a bold plan that will shape the way we live in the city for decades to come,” Plante said, in a press release.

“While it reflects the strong values ​​our administration has championed for the past eight years, such as affordability, social diversity, territorial equity, and climate resilience, this plan embodies the vision of Montrealers following a broad consultation process. With the accompanying Five-Year Action Plan, the PUM offers a clear roadmap that will enable the city to shine as a dynamic, green, and inclusive city.”

For some Montrealers enjoying the pedestrianized street of Mont-Royal in the Plateau, mobility is a core issue.

“I’m not a big cyclist but I think for the cyclists it’s great. But I also think as a person who drives cars, it’s a little hard to find parking now,” said Sabrina Benizri, a Montreal resident. “There’s a lot of traffic. A lot of streets are blocked in summer. We don’t have access to the same parking spots.”

Montreal resident David Sabourin said he likes being a pedestrian and seeing people going out and enjoying the city. However, he feels there needs to be a better balance.

“At least a better communication when you are going to shut down St-Laurent for 10 days for a mural festival, while St-Denis is now one lane, while St-Joseph is under construction, Côte-Sainte-Catherine, under construction. As we all know, it’s just a little too much all at once,” Sabourin said.

“It’s not that we need less bike paths, but it’s starting to become a little more complicated, cars need to pass,” said Hamza Benkirane. “Everything concerning pedestrianized streets, it’s not a problem, especially in summer, people get fresh air and walk,” he said, praising its contribution to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

“I hope that by 2050, the planning will be good and that everything will be reviewed from A to Z to make sure that all Montrealers are comfortable.”

Official Opposition reacts

Aref Salem, Official Opposition leader at Montreal’s city hall, said in a statement that the 2050 action plan is unrealistic.

“By imagining that 75 per cent of trips in Montreal will be made by active or public transportation by 2050, the Projet Montréal administration is no longer just dreaming in colours: it’s being irrational,” he said.

“The City of Montreal is currently unable to meet the PUM 2050 housing targets,” he added. “The fact that the objectives were reduced for 2030 and 2040 between the first version of the document and the second is proof of this.”