QDS Lab in Action: A Strategic Visit to Montreal’s Creative Core

CityEx Montréal | QDS Lab + Belleville Placemaking
July 4th 2025 – Esplanade Tranquille, Quartier des Spectacles

As part of the CityEx Montréal study tour, organized in partnership with MIPIM, Quartier des spectacles international welcomed 25 French leaders from the real estate, public affairs, and urban planning sectors to the heart of the Quartier des spectacles. The visit was intentionally scheduled during the world-renowned Montreal International Jazz Festival, offering a dynamic, real-time example of a creative city model in action.

With contributions from experts at the Quartier des spectacles Partnership, we presented the origins and governance model of the territory — Montreal’s flagship cultural district — and its pivotal role in tourism, city branding, cultural innovation, and civic life. The session highlighted how the district’s 50 annual festivals, supported by an integrated approach to urban design and cultural infrastructure, generate measurable cultural, social, environmental, and economic benefits at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.

The QDS Lab, the consulting arm of Quartier des spectacles, and Belleville Placemaking enriched the conversation by providing the group of experts with tangible insights into how cultural infrastructure strategies and operational models can directly influence urban vitality and long-term sustainability.

After the presentations held in Le Réfectoire, the signature meeting space at Esplanade Tranquille, our guests took part in a guided tour of the district’s highlights — all set against the vibrant energy of a Friday evening at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. The experience demonstrated what is possible when culture is placed at the heart of city-building.

To meet with us and enjoy a custom tour of the Quartier des Spectacles — while benefiting from the expertise of a team specialized in urban design and its impacts — contact Jacquelyn West.