A view through the original Point St. Charles collector sewer, constructed in 1862. Perhaps the most interesting underground features in the Montreal area are found within the old sewers during the mid to late 1800s. Usually constructed entirely of brick and of sizes up to 9’ in diameter, they often appear to be steeped in history in a way that newer concrete sewers just can’t compare to. They have a warmer and organic quality to them as well that I tend to appreciate. Where concrete sewer systems can feel like cold modernist pieces of architecture, the brick ones seem more like inviting Victorian homes. A good example of these characteristics can be found within the Point St. Charles Collector. As its name implies, this sewer was responsible for the drainage of the eastern half of Point St. Charles. (The western half was serviced by another sewer that I first started to explore in this entry on Under Montreal). The sewer was also responsible for a portion of the neighbourhood once known as Victoriatown. Given that so little from this area can still be found at street level, it’s of some comfort that at least its sewer system can still be found and explored today.

Last Friday, a group called the "Centre Social Autogéré" stated their intent to occupy an abandoned building and appropriate it as an grassroots community centre. The CSA describes itself as opposed to capitalism, hierarchies and imperialism and autonomous from political, religious or economic authorities. Photographer Tristan Brand and I attended the event where about 500 people gathered in park St-Gabriel to support the groups' appropriation of the space. At the assembly, CSA organizers spoke about resisting gentrification, reclaiming spaces from "privatized hyper-capitalist development" and creating grassroots projects to meet local needs. Both spokespeople ...

As promised, here's a preview of some more Jane's walks set to go this weekend, May 2nd and 3rd. These ones look at neighbourhoods that are on the brink of big changes, many of which have been discussed and debated here on Spacing Montreal. The walks are inspired by Jane Jacob’s advice: “No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.” So here's a chance to walk the talk. All the details about meeting places, meeting times and reservations are ...

The Office de Consultation Publique de Montréal is opening a second round of consultations about the redevelopment of old CN yards in Pointe St. Charles this weekend. Pointe St. Charles residents are gaining a reputation as one of the most active and organized communities in the city, ensuring that accessible housing, local jobs, public transit, environmental considerations, and waterfront access remain on the radar. Two years ago, Groupe Mach, had plans to develop a big-box retail centre similar to Marché Central but the necessary zoning changes were not approved. In September 2008, they came back ...

Tout le monde qui fait parti du flot de vélos qui vient de l'est vers le centreville via les rues Prince Arthur, Clark et Milton ne peut que remarquer l'énorme masse de verdure qui emplie le ciel au coin de ces deux dernières rues. Dans une de ces places oubliées où l'usage n'est pas encore déterminé, pousse un bosquet d'arbres peu commun et à Montréal et au Québec. Il s'agit des chicots féviers qu'on appelle également des chicots du Canada (Kentucky coffee tree, Gymnocladus diocus). Dans ce terrain vague, qui auparavant faisait parti du terrain de la ...