Case Studies 

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee 

Boulevard Saint Laurent

Montreal

Canada

Contributed by 
Project for Public Spaces
 on 
April 15, 2015
May 1, 2024

What makes it Great?

Why it doesn't work?

The longest street in Montreal, Boulevard Saint Laurent is widely acclaimed as the city’s best for walking. Its constantly changing scene throughout the day makes it an exciting pedestrian environment, and it hosts plenty of eateries, shops, and art galleries that cater to multiple audiences and budgets. The south section of the street is particularly popular for its nightlife, featuring some of  Montreal’s trendiest bars and restaurants. Boulevard Saint Laurent also hosts a number of street fairs and festivals throughout the year - a local favorite is the MURAL festival, a free local art festival celebrating urban art. During such events, which attract over 800,000 visitors each night, the street is closed to vehicles from Sherbrooke Street to Mount Royal Avenue. Along with its vibrant nightlife, Boulevard Saint Laurent has established itself as one of Montreal’s central corridors for art and cultural activity.

Access & Linkages

Comfort & Image

Uses & Activities

Sociability

How Light?

How Quick?

How Cheap?

History & Background

Running north-south through the center of the city, Boulevard Saint Laurent is Montreal’s main corridor, and it was once the dividing line between the city’s French-speaking East and English-speaking West. Along with its thriving commercial activity, the 11.25km street is widely-known for its rich cultural heritage, and it his home to some of the city’s oldest ethnic enclaves. In the early 1900s, Jewish immigrants began settling in the area, and since the 1950s, when many of these early settlements began to transform into part of Montreal’s Chinatown, the street has become home to a number of immigrant communities. In 2002, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada named Boulevard Saint Laurent “The Main National Historic Site of Canada.”

Related Links & Sources

Image credits, from left: Mike Graham via Flickr, Abdallah via Flickr, ecololo via Flickr, Christian Liboiron via Flickr, Intiaz Rahim via Flickr, Intiaz Rahim via Flickr 

Website: www.boulevardsaintlaurent.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/boulevardsaintlaurent

Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent
Boulevard Saint Laurent

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

NOMINATE A PLACE

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