The Champlain urban village in Gatineau is the result of careful, long-term work, in harmony with the fundamental principles of sustainable development and aimed at minimising the ecological footprint of its residents.
The idea behind the project is not new. Businessman Gilles Desjardins walked on the site as early as 1992, and already he was beginning to dream big for this immense plot of land, which he finally acquired in 2001. His vision was avant-garde for its time: densification and sustainable development, terms that were not in vogue at the time. The developer knew how to be patient, so that the economic stars and people’s needs would align.
A model
Champlain Urban Village is a model of real estate development at the cutting edge of contemporary environmental and urban planning issues: it puts people at the heart of its design, and everything is designed to make them feel comfortable and safe. This allows residents to optimise their time and make it easier to get around this large-scale community.
The project also takes into account the imperatives of sustainable mobility, integrating accessibility to public transport and offering dedicated footpaths and cycle lanes. Ultimately, the project will be a 15-minute neighbourhood where people can do their shopping and a host of activities within a 15-minute walk or cycle ride. The village will be bursting with local services, including an abundance of ethical and local businesses.
A dedicated team
Brigil has always defined itself as a builder for the community, and aims to surpass itself by creating innovative projects that take into account the needs of future generations and environmental concerns. The Brigil team, made up of local people, is committed to carrying out this exceptional project for the people of the region. Like a piece of fruit ready to be picked, the vision for the project has been maturing for many years, and several versions of the village have been designed by professionals whose imagination is at the service of the residents. The project is therefore the culmination of a concerted effort by the Brigil experts, the town and the residents, who contributed to the process by taking part in public consultations. It’s a unifying project for the Outaouais, where the quality of life will be second to none.
A complete community
It’s a complete community where you can live, play, socialise and work. The design team paid particular attention to creating living spaces that encourage human interaction and socialisation. There will also be plenty of green spaces, as well as sports and entertainment facilities.
The project is nestled between five prestigious golf clubs to satisfy birdies fans. Some fifty acres have been given to the city to be turned into parks and green spaces for the entire population to enjoy. Brigil has worked with forestry engineers to identify the areas to be protected, so that most of the mature forest is preserved and enhanced.
A protected environment
Taking full advantage of the surrounding natural areas, this new district is being built in a way that respects and preserves the site’s ponds and wooded areas. These efforts are crucial to preserving the ecological integrity of the Ottawa River and Gatineau Park. In addition, local biodiversity will be further supported by the addition of native flowers and plants that require no fertilisation, and by the creation of community gardens. A rainwater recovery system will ensure that the water does not clog up the sewers and gradually drains into the ground.
Finally, the creation of a network of extensively vegetated paths, a veritable ecological corridor, will ensure connectivity between the natural environments, allowing wildlife and plants to circulate and preserving the region’s biodiversity.
We want to provide residents with an environment where they can lead fulfilling lives while reducing their ecological footprint. As an ethical and ecologically sensitive developer, our responsibility extends beyond construction. The development of a community in this area serves to protect the urban perimeter, and the conservation of the area’s natural environment remains at the forefront of this project.
Jessy Desjardins,
Vice-President, Development and Design at Brigil.
