Despite efforts to promote public transit, it’s accessibility by car and the availability of parking that draws more Montrealers to the city centre, a survey suggests.
According to a Léger survey conducted on behalf of local trade association Montreal Centre-Ville, 70% of respondents interviewed this fall cited mobility as a major factor that drew them to the neighborhood.
“A third of respondents believe that improved access by car (26%) and more parking spaces (27%) would encourage more frequent visits to the city centre”, the document suggests. Press Got a copy.
The 950 people Leger met face-to-face also called for “more free festivals in the streets”, “cleaner public spaces”, as well as “more greenery”.
Downtown Montreal president Glenn Castanheira argued that sponsors’ demand for more automobile access could be a trap. Many also say they like to walk around the city center and appreciate its atmosphere.
“We are not walking on Boulevard Taschero, he explained. We have to be careful, we have to deal with mobility, but not at the expense of the downtown experience. »
The solution: improving the visibility of tens of thousands of indoor parking spaces, new pedestrian streets “strategically routed” or improving access to public transportation. “Will people cross oceans to come downtown? People should be able to cross the bridge to come downtown,” he added.
Downtown workers and consumers
In addition, Downtown Montreal said it is encouraged by survey data that shows downtown workers and students also frequent the neighborhood for pleasure or to seek service. Despite working from home, these people have a strong basis for returning to the city center several times a week.
“One of the big changes that the pandemic has brought is that you no longer get out of downtown responsibility, it doesn’t make sense to tell your employee: come downtown, I’m forcing you, illustrated Glenn Castanheira. It’s over, that time. »
These are “not just downtown workers, they’re downtown consumers,” he added.
The survey revealed that the entertainment, commercial and gastronomic offer of the city center was most widely recognized by local regulars, but also by the Quebec population in general.
According to Castanheira, footfall in the city center has almost returned to its pre-mandal level in terms of people in a geographic area, as measured by the number of cellular connections. “Of the three largest Canadian cities, we’re number one,” he said.
Leger interviewed 1,021 people face-to-face downtown, with a 3.04% margin, 19 times out of 20. The polling firm also submitted its questions to 1,404 Quebec internet users, a margin the study did not have. The error is because it is using the selected model. Both elections were held between August 26 and September 29.
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