Integrating sound considerations into the Montreal nightlife policy
2021 – 2023
MITACS Accelerate program with Ville de Montreal
The City of Montreal (Service of Economic Development), Montreal’s Public Health Agency (DRSP), École de Technologie Superieure, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, other collaborators
Nightlife activities contribute to the vitality and attractiveness of cities but can also generate conflicts around unwanted noise
We will offer recommendations on Montreal’s development of a nightlife policy that integrates a sonic dimension
Many worldwide cities face the challenge of striking a balance between livability and vitality, and this dichotomy is often tested in the sonic dimension. However, no world cities, including Montreal, have expressed a nightlife policy that tackles these challenges head-on.
Sounds in the City started a collaboration with the City of Montreal and Montreal’s public health department (DRSP) to investigate and integrate the needs and expectations of different stakeholders for the development of a new nightlife strategy using the soundscape approach document. The project documents situations of sound conflicts and cohabitation in Montreal to better understand/characterize the dynamics at play & issue recommendations to improve public policies from an economic development perspective where the human being is at the center. The first step was a comprehensive review of relevant academic literature as well as public and private reports provided by partners on the status of sound-related knowledge centered on Montreal. The second step was the development of pilot projects: the ListenUpMTL pilot project and the Assomption Sud–Longue-Pointe project.
This project is a unique opportunity to involve multiple stakeholders around night noise and integrate sound consideration in the new Montreal nightlife policy that is under development.
For details, please contact: Edda Bild, Catherine Guastavino