Namur Jean-Talon West Urban Design Competition

PURPOSE OF THE COMPETITION: The competition's objective is to transform some of the area’s road corridors into quality public spaces for community use, give greater prominence to pedestrians, encourage everyone to make the new spaces their own, and make a positive contribution to the district’s new identity. The project is inspired by the principles of transit-oriented development (TOD) and aims to leverage the proximity of two métro stations, an advantageous geographical location within the city, as well as the excellent potential for densification in the area.

The competition is aimed at eliciting and evaluating redevelopment and urban design concepts that satisfy or exceed the expectations of the borough with regard to the challenges posed by the project that is the subject of the competition. Subsequently it is aimed at mandating the laureate to draw up plans and specifications for the project to be completed.

TYPE OF COMPETITION : This is an open, multidisciplinary, Canada-wide design competition held in two stages:

Stage 1 - Proposals: the jury will be asked to shortlist four (4) finalists at the end of the first stage, during which registered applicants will have submitted proposals anonymously.

Stage 2 - Submissions: the finalists will then be invited to prepare a project presentation, with compensation, leading to selection of a winner.

The competition follows a hybrid formula, being both a “project competition” and an “ideas competition.” The “project” component covers the public areas determined by Paré and Buchan streets and part of Victoria Avenue, the design of redevelopment to be completed in this space, and the installation of 4 pedestrian crossings on Mountain Sights Avenue, normally leading to a project completion mandate. The "ideas” component will be used to propose development plans for the remaining private and public spaces in the sector.

ELIGIBILITY : Any team may be accepted as a competitor that is made up of at least two principal designers who meet the following conditions at the time of entering:

Membership of any of the following professional orders or associations of Quebec or their equivalents in another Canadian province: Ordre des architectes du Québec; Ordre des urbanistes du Québec; Association des urbanistes et aménagistes municipaux du Québec; Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec; Association des Designers industriels du Québec. (If not a member of any such order or association, a candidate may supply two letters signed by people who are members in good standing, certifying peer recognition of their practice, and a copy of a relevant university degree.)
At least one principal designer per team must have a head office in Quebec at the time of entering.

REGISTRATION : Registration in the competition is mandatory and free of charge. It allows competitors to obtain the competition documents and to be connected to the professional advisors' communications network. The registration form can be filled out online on the following site: www.letrianglemontreal.com.

To register, the completed registration form must be sent by e-mail, no later than 4 p.m. on May 27, 2011, to [email protected].

The joint professional advisors for the competition are Jacques White, architect, principal professional advisor and Isabelle Le Clair, assistant professional advisor. All questions linked to the competition must be sent to them at [email protected].