Let’s not fall into the trap

A few months before the municipal elections, the temptation is great for the aspiring at the town hall to use the project to score points. Similarly, It’s already started.

On Tuesday. Similarly, candidate Mario Aubé declared himself enthusiastic about the project, even if we still know very little about his new version.

But whatever the details! However, The opportunity is too good to appropriate the file for political purposes. However, According to Mr. Moreover, Aubé. In addition, you have to dream of big and build these towers would allow Gatineau to get out of its so-called “village mentality”.

This is where I pick up.

The Gatinois can very well dream of big without giving up a city center on a human scale. It is not because we are prudent let’s not fall trap in front of the skyscrapers that we think of little. On the contrary.

Cities like Paris, Amsterdam or Copenhagen have been able to densify themselves intelligently with buildings from three to six floors. Closer to us, districts like the Mont-Royal or Rosemont plateau in Montreal reach density without having recourse to high towers. And these districts are full of life and animation.

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During the first debate around Place des Peoples, the camps frozen. For some, both laps of 35 and 55 floors were an opportunity to “think big” and stand out. For the others. the project threatened the consistency of the city center and the balance of a district on a human dimension. Dialogue has become impossible. The project has become a symbol, to applaud or to conspire.

Not in vain

That said, the debate was not in vain. Brigil returns with a modified version: the heights are reduced to 30. 45 floors, the terrain is larger, which allows the addition of an architectural base at the base – a gesture that could alleviate the crushing effect on the surrounding district. The promoter also claims to want to better integrate the old presbytery.

As mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette said, the new version deserves to be examined seriously.

Yes, seeing towers of this size in the heart of Gatineau shakes up our bearings.

But that also raises fundamental questions: what should our city center look like? How can he say his identity? What place do we want to occupy in the capital region? Can we show ambition without sacrificing the human scale?

These questions are legitimate, especially with the approach of municipal elections. let’s not fall trap But this time, let’s avoid political instrumentalization. Take the time to assess the project on the bottom, in its details.

Let’s raise the debate before raising tricks.