NAMED DISTINGUISHED URBAN PLANNER

BY FOULQUES DELBAR, JOURNALIST

The assistant director of the City of Laval's urban planning service recently received the 2022 Distinguished Urban Planner award from the Ordre des urbanistes du Québec (OUQ). The distinction highlights the quality of Ms. Martin's achievements, as well as her contribution to the image and public profile of the profession.

athalie Martin began her career in 1996 with the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec, a government organization that promotes the heritage, beauty and appeal of the National Assembly and the surrounding area near the old quarter of Québec City. "We worked closely with the City of Québec as regards any renovation or development projects in the immediate area," she said. Construction works on René-Lévesque Boulevard, Grande Allée and in Esplanade Park were some of the dossiers she was involved in.

At the same time, the young urban planner joined another commission charged with making recommendations for revising legislation governing cultural heritage assets. "I had the opportunity to start my career with great people who were my mentors. Their influence made a lasting impression."

From Qu Bec City To Laval

Nathalie Martin also made an impression in her private practice. As a consultant for various municipalities in Québec, she has worked on specific urban plans and programs, regulatory revisions and tools for protecting heritage and architecture. That varied experience led to her being appointed in 2014 as head of the heritage division in the City of Montréal's urban planning department.

Her responsibilities included drafting cultural development agreements between the City and the Ministry of Culture and Communications, developing a fiveyear heritage action plan and supervising diverse committees devoted to promoting and protecting Montréal's cultural heritage. In 2017 she was hired by the city of Laval as deputy director of its urban planning service, coordinating the activities of three divisions involved in urban planning and design, land use planning and the attendant municipal regulations.

A Fresh Approach To Urban Planning

Nathalie Martin is using her expertise to make Laval a municipality in the vanguard of urban planning. Her focus since her arrival has been to create synergies among the various departments by means of a crossfunctional approach. "We try to break down silos and work in a matrix mode, bringing together people with diverse skills that will enhance how we define and develop various projects." That cross-disciplinary procedure helps create a comprehensive view of the scope of the issues they face.