Montréal, Canada

Photo by the Montréal Botanical Garden

Addressing the urban challenge

Breadth of the issue- How are the problem(s) that are being tackled by your initiative affecting citizens/local businesses or a significant component of the local wildlife?

Cities worldwide are facing environmental challenges and the use of plants to solve these issues is an innovative and sustainable solution.  The Phytotechnology Stations were designed as an exemplar suite of solutions to some of the Montréal Botanical problems that are directly transferable to the City of Montréal, and its citizens. Plant-based solutions are low input for the organization implementing them but provide high benefits for the citizens. The increase in vegetation cover generates exosystemic service, provides habitat for the wildlife, reduces heat islands, captures water runoffs, and captures atmospheric carbon. The solutions displayed are the same facing by cities everywhere, as well as companies and citizens. As such, stimulating the deployment of phytotechnology’s stimulates the creations of green, plant-based, expertise and start-ups.

Depth of the issue – How seriously are the problems being tackled by your initiative impacting the life of the citizens/businesses/wildlife concerned?

Soil contamination, wastewaters, invasive plant species, heat islands, etc. are all very serious problems that affect the quality of life and health of urban citizens worldwide. Moreover, economic, and social impacts are significant burdens for both public and private organizations. Phytotechnology’s offers innovative, green, and sustainable solutions with obvious benefits for the citizens and businesses of the City of Montréal.