In a dense urban neighbourhood like Parc-Extension, where asphalt, traffic, heat and limited green space are daily realities, the borough’s green alley program is more than a beautification initiative. It is part of a broader civic effort to improve quality of life, support ecological transition and encourage residents to take part in shaping their immediate environment.
The Borough of Villeray, Saint-Michel, Parc-Extension is inviting residents who want to transform their alleyways into greener, safer and more welcoming shared spaces to submit projects through its green alley program. The initiative is carried out in collaboration with Ville en vert, which manages the Éco-quartier program.
According to the borough, green alleys help reduce urban heat islands, discourage illegal dumping, lower ambient noise, improve air quality, support biodiversity and increase rainwater retention. These are not minor issues in a neighbourhood such as Parc-Extension, where many families live in densely built streets with limited access to private green space.
The program also has a social purpose. Because green alleys are created through collective neighbourhood initiatives, they encourage residents to speak with one another, organize together and take shared responsibility for the space behind their homes. In that sense, the alley becomes not only a greener passageway, but a small civic meeting point.
Residents interested in launching a project are encouraged to consult the borough’s green alley implementation guide, speak with neighbours and submit a proposal. If selected, projects receive support from Ville en vert as well as technical, organizational and financial assistance from the borough.
The 2025 results show the concrete impact of the program. Five projects were completed, while one project launched in 2025 will be finalized in 2026. The work included the planting of seven trees and 527 plants, the installation of 15 biodiversity features such as birdhouses, 45 new pieces of alley furniture, the excavation of 213.45 square metres of asphalt, six new murals and several ground-level artworks.
For Parc-Extension residents, the issue fits clearly within civic journalism because it connects municipal action, environmental policy, urban planning and public participation. The LJI guidelines identify environmental issues, urban planning and municipal government as civic journalism categories, and also recognize community projects when they have social impact.
At a time when cities are under pressure to adapt to climate change and improve local living conditions, green alleys offer a modest but practical example of how residents and municipal institutions can work together, one alley at a time.
