The Mount Royal Landscape Atlas is the result of the City of Montréal working closely with Quebec's Ministry of Culture and Communications. Because of the knowledge of the mountain’s landscape it provides, the Atlas is a major milestone in implementing the Plan for the Protection and Enhancement of Mount Royal and embodies the principle stated by the Ministry regarding this heritage site: knowledge before action.
Developing, assessing and carrying out projects on this exceptional land will now be based on knowledge and understanding of its landscape, to ensure consistency of individual and collective measures with the mountain’s universally recognized values.
The Atlas characterizes the landscapes in an innovative way: the various layers that make up the landscape are described and analyzed separately, understanding their evolution over time. Main transformations and permanent components of the landscape are identified, and dominant features are summarized. The Atlas also presents the main issues with the landscape, and also provides a reading and understanding of the mountain by dividing it into six major topographical units. It also sets out the main principles that should guide projects affecting the landscape. The Atlas appendices, including a wide selection of maps, help display the knowledge and expertise acquired over decades for protecting, enhancing and managing the mountain zone.
The Atlas is a solid knowledge tool that will guide the evolution of the mountain landscape, preserve and enhance this exceptional site and ensure that whatever is done will result in added value for present and future generations.
