Concordia and the City of Laval are launching a first strategic collaboration to design a clean, renewable energy network for Carré Laval. The agreement lays the groundwork for a long-term partnership rooted in scientific excellence, technical rigour and urban innovation.
A flagship downtown revitalization project, Carré Laval is entering a key phase of development, with plans for 1,000 residential units and the creation of an innovation hub in partnership with the Société de développement Angus.
Through this collaboration, the City of Laval aims to develop a district that sets a benchmark for sustainability, energy efficiency and climate resilience.
To support the city, Concordia will draw on expertise developed through its PLAN/NET ZERØ initiative, which brings together specialists in engineering, sustainable finance, governance and clean technologies to accelerate the decarbonization of urban energy systems and buildings.
The initiative positions Concordia as a leading player in Canada's urban energy transition and strengthens its capacity to support public-sector partners in planning next-generation climate infrastructure.
The Next Generation Cities Institute (NGCI) will contribute complementary expertise through a transdisciplinary approach that integrates urban planning, engineering, environmental science and digital data - a key asset in advancing Carré Laval's development.
Research driving the energy transition
Building on PLAN/NET ZERØ as a core driver, Concordia is implementing an integrated approach that connects technical expertise, financial modelling and governance frameworks to support concrete, informed decision-making. This capacity will enable the university to support the City of Laval at every stage of the project, from planning through implementation.
Five strategic pillars to transform Carré Laval
The collaboration will focus on five key areas: project mobilization and governance; integrated scientific analyses to inform energy decisions; technical planning and network deployment scenarios; development of legal and financial frameworks; and documentation, including the production of a white paper on urban energy networks in Quebec.
"We are very pleased to launch this first official collaboration with the City of Laval. It reflects our commitment to supporting municipalities in their energy transition efforts and to working together to build more sustainable communities," says Concordia President Graham Carr.
"We see this agreement as the beginning of a long-term relationship grounded in innovation, trust and a shared desire to contribute positively to the development of cities across Quebec."
For Ursula Eicker, NGCI's founding director, Carré Laval represents a unique opportunity to link research and action.
"Urban energy networks play a key role in decarbonizing cities. This collaboration allows us to apply data-driven approaches and international best practices to support long-term, high-impact decisions for a district that is efficient, resilient and sustainable."
This collaboration marks a promising first step between the City of Laval and Concordia University. Both partners aim to make Carré Laval a living lab for urban innovation and a showcase for best practices in energy transition.
"Following the announcement of funding for more than 1,000 affordable housing units on the site with the Société de développement Angus, this marks another milestone in bringing to life a new innovative and eco-responsible neighbourhood at Carré Laval. The energy network has been an integral part of the project's vision from the outset and Concordia's expertise will give us the momentum to make it a reality," says Stéphane Boyer, mayor of Laval.
Learn more about the PLAN/NET ZERØ initiative Carré Laval.
