In response to the increasing threat of climate change-induced floods, Montreal has announced plans to construct 30 urban “sponge” parks and 400 additional sponge sidewalks by 2025, to help the city handle heavy rainfall impacts.
Last year, a study referred to in this Construction Canada report, ranked Montreal fourth among the world’s sponge-like cities, based on its ability to absorb rainfall through green-blue infrastructure.
According to a report by CBC News, the initiative aims to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall by creating green spaces that naturally absorb excess water, reducing the strain on the city’s sewer system. This follows a recent heavy rainfall that prompted the city to expedite its flood resilience efforts.
The report further explains the sponge parks and sidewalks will join the seven existing parks and 800 sidewalks built since 2022, with the goal of retaining the equivalent of three Olympic swimming pools’ worth of water. Montreal mayor Valérie Plante emphasized that sponge infrastructure is one of the several measures needed to address climate change effects, alongside sewer system renovations.
Moreover, the report states that while the demand for sponge sidewalks has grown over the past decade, boroughs seeking sponge parks must meet specific standards. The city plans to extend sponge parks to all 19 boroughs, prioritizing the 12 most susceptible to above-ground flooding. The $117-million agreement with the Quebec government, part of the green economy plan, will fund the project.
Experts interviewed in the report, including Alain Bourque of Ouranos, praised the initiative as a positive step but stressed the need for comprehensive flood-proofing strategies, combining surface-level interventions with revamped sewer systems. Mechanical engineering professor Amar Sabih emphasized the importance of reimagining building practices citywide to withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of rainfall.
