The Minister of Culture and Communications, Nathalie Roy, and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest have announced a collaboration with the OAQ to develop work aimed at providing a Québec Architecture Strategy.
The strategy will be a citizen-centred policy aiming to boost best practices in province-led projects, and will include incentive measures for work sponsored by the province.
The collaborative strategy recognizes the role that architecture plays in the province’s identity, in making culture a fundamental element of Québec’s living environments, and in advancing the vitality of its communities.
“Architecture influences the quality of life of all citizens and is an important part of our collective identity. It shapes our neighborhoods, our public places, our workplaces. That’s why it’s important to define the quality of the environment in which we want to live. The Québec Architecture Strategy, to which the Ordre des architectes du Québec is pleased to contribute, is another step towards an architecture that will meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations,” said Nathalie Dion, President of the Ordre des architectes du Québec.
This strategy will ensure the quality and sustainability of architectural projects and contribute to the overall attractiveness of the province, including its prospects for economic growth and tourism promotion.
“The inclusion of architectural concerns in our actions will contribute to the development of our regions, our cities and our villages, which are shaped by the wealth of Québec’s built heritage. By focusing on a harmonious, functional and sustainable architecture, we contribute to the creation of attractive and dynamic living environments, both socially and economically,” said Laforest.
The participatory process involves a range of experts, partners, organizations and municipalities, and draws on a white paper developed by the OAQ. Montréal and Québec City will be key to developing the policy. The development of the Québec Architecture Strategy corresponds to the Government Action Plan for Culture 2018-2023.