If the “village” character of Montréal is still unmistakably felt today, it’s because
it was our city’s most prominent feature until the end of the 19th century.
In fact, as Montréal grew, it developed a rich mosaic of parishes, surrounded
by villages and small towns. In each of these little communities was a main
street that attracted businesses and services.
In the 20th century, Montréal’s population increased and its neighbourhoods began to evolve. Newcomers, whether they came from elsewhere in the province or from overseas, were establishing thriving businesses, giving neighbourhood life new colour. Working or upper class neighbourhoods each had their commercial street; a new and modern urban lifestyle was coming to life..
Business and community life
Nowadays, whether their origin was rural or modern, Montréal neighbourhoods continue to be places where people gather, communicate and have a sense of belonging. Plateau Mont- Royal and its avenue Mont-Royal, Monkland Avenue in NDG or Promenade Fleury in the north end are prime examples. They are commercial streets that change as the population’s needs change, but they are also a channel for the neighbourhood’s social, cultural and community activity.
An environment on a human scale
Neighbourhood life has not given way to the anonymity of big cities. Everything is still on a human scale: activity is focused at the street level with cafes, parks and other venues to recharge one’s batteries and take a break. They are safe areas where the neighbourhood’s residents leisurely go to buy their bok choy, take their kids to their hip hop class or discover new arrivals at the public library. Population density in these neighbourhoods creates a beautiful human kaleidoscope where people of different age groups and ethnic communities mingle together.