Old Aylmer PPU: public presentation of the results of the Understanding Old Aylmer initiative November 17

 

Greg Newing

 

The Ville de Gatineau will present the results of the Understanding Old Aylmer (Comprendre Vieux-Aylmer) participatory urban planning initiative at a public gathering on Thursday, November 17 at 7pm. The gathering will be held at the Ernest-Lattion Community Centre at 30 rue Court and is open to all residents.

The city’s presentation will summarize the participatory territorial analysis (“diagnostic territorial participatif”) that was developed based on a series of public consultations about the current reality and future development of the Old Aylmer Sector held earlier this year as part of the Understanding Old Aylmer initiative. According to the Ville de Gatineau’s website, the purpose of the initiative was to develop an “accurate and up-to-date profile of the sector by those who use and live in it day-to-day” which will be used to “develop a broader planning approach aimed at enhancing Old-Aylmer’s appeal and the quality of life of its residents.”  Understanding Old Aylmer is part of the city’s “Programme Particulier d’Urbanisme” (PPU) which promotes citizen engagement in urban planning.

The initiative included an exploratory walk on June 11 and a public roundtable discussion session on June 16.  Residents, neighborhood associations, community organizations participated in these two events and explored the reality of Old Aylmer alongside urban planners and municipal employees.  There was also an online public discussion platform available during the month of June where residents could discuss ideas and projects as well as propose new ones. Among the themes explored in both the in-person events and online platform were Old Aylmer’s heritage sites and attractions, integrating new developments, preserving and enhancing green spaces, mobility and transportation, and improving cultural and commercial activities. Residents also proposed possible new boundaries for the Old Aylmer sector based on lived experience over recent years.  

According to the Ville de Gatineau, the territorial analysis that will be presented on November 17 will be informed by the ideas and questions raised during these public consultations as well as additional deliberations between urban planners and the Old Aylmer PPU’s advisory committee. A question and answer period will follow the presentation during which residents can raise questions and share further comments.

After the event, an urban plan for the Old Aylmer sector will be developed over the coming months that will be based on the Understanding Old Aylmer initiative. The plan will then be presented to the municipal council to be adopted in Spring 2023.
In their program announcement, the Ville de Gatineau underscored the importance of this process, noting how Old Aylmer is one of the city’s major cultural, administrative and commercial centres as well as a space that enriches the life of all of Gatineau’s residents.

To learn more about the Old Aylmer PPU, visit the City of Gatineau website at www.gatineau.ca and click “Information and Services” then “Civic Activities” and open the “Public Consultations” page.  On this page click the “Programme particulier d’urbanisme: réalisons ensemble le portrait du Vieux-Aylmer” where you will find an overview of the entire project.

Photo caption: Caption: Aylmer residents contributed to planning the future of Old Aylmer during an exploratory walk organized by the Ville de Gatineau on Saturday, June 11 .

The results of the participatory (Diagnostic) will be announced at the Centre communautaire Ernest-Lattion on November 17 at 7pm. Photo Credit: Greg Newing