Louisa Kennett

The Spaces Between

Underutilized open spaces in urban areas hold tremendous potential for addressing social and environmental challenges for vulnerable communities. When reclaimed with small-scale interventions, these spaces can address immediate needs of local residents while increasing long-term community resilience.

Twenty per cent of Northeast Montreal North, one of Canada’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, is composed of underutilized spaces. This thesis proposes a framework for reclaiming these spaces through a community-driven approach centred on engaging and empowering local youth, who make up a substantial proportion of the population. The framework prioritizes building capacity from within, thereby presenting an alternative to the traditional community engagement process. Advisor: Elise Shelley