Peter Black

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

March 13, 2024

Vowing to put an end to the “degradation” of the ambiance of the historic Old City, Mayor Bruno Marchand has announced the doubling of zones where motorized vehicles will be banned during the summer months.

Building on last summer’s pilot project, the city will create an additional pedestrian area to supplement the zone established last year in the “Latin Quarter” north of Côte de la Fabrique. 

The new zone will be south of Rue Saint-Louis between Ave. Saint-Denis and bordered by rues Sainte-Ursule and Haldimand. 

Eight concrete barriers will serve as barricades, and only local residents with city-issued passes, taxis and delivery drivers will be allowed to enter with vehicles. The zones will be in place every day from June 26 to Aug. 23 between 11 a.m. and midnight.

Other changes include the enlargement of the pedestrian walk on Rue Saint-Louis and the removal of parking zones on rues De Buade, des Jardins and Côte de la Fabrique to allow more room for pedestrian traffic and for restaurants with terrasses.

The mayor, speaking at a March 8 press conference at City Hall, said his administration is proceeding with these changes because “the status quo is not acceptable. The slow degradation is over.” He added he is determined to stem the exodus of residents from the Old City and prevent it from becoming like a “cardboard” Disneyland.

Marchand, who is the current president of the World Heritage Cities Organization, presented figures showing the residential population of the Old City has declined by nearly 700 since 2006, now totalling some 4,600. 

He said Quebec City is facing the same problem as hundreds of cities around the world where vehicular traffic and overdevelopment are threatening popular historic areas.

The city has launched a series of consultations on the “pedestrianization” measures it is putting in place in the Old City. Last summer’s changes drew some criticism for the impact they had when major construction projects were underway, such as revamping the square in front of City Hall.

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This diagram shows where new pedestrian zones are to be established this summer in the Old City.

Image from Ville de Quebec