Le Plateau-Mont-Royal

In the Plateau-Mont-Royal, a landscaper's work adapts to a densely built urban environment where the median construction year of the housing stock dates back to 1915. Greening professionals must deal with confined spaces, narrow alleys, and soil shaped by over a century of residential history. Access to backyards is often complex, requiring meticulous logistics to transport plants and soil without damaging old structures or disrupting neighborhood life.

The scarcity of single-family homes, which make up only 2.5% of dwellings, completely redefines the nature of projects. Here, there are no vast lawns to mow, but rather micro-gardens, shared inner courtyards, and multiplex terraces to optimize. Landscapers become artisans of verticality and proximity, creating green screens to preserve residents' privacy while maximizing every square centimeter of available ground.

With a 72% share of renter households, landscaping interventions often require coordination between occupants and landlords. Designs must be durable, easy to maintain, and sometimes reversible to suit tenants who want to enjoy a patch of nature without committing to heavy construction. Landscapers design lightweight structures and removable planter boxes that fit onto balconies and small yards without altering the integrity of the historic buildings.