Laval Converts Petrochemical Site to Park

The city of Laval, Canada, transformed a former petrochemical plant into the “Espace citoyen des Confluents,” a roughly 52,000 square meter public park. The site, previously contaminated by BASF in the 1970s and 80s, underwent decontamination before the city began a regenerative design process. The new park combines a public library, cultural spaces, municipal services, and green areas.

The design connects neighboring areas with pedestrian and bicycle paths, and ecological corridors woven into the urban landscape. Over 300 trees were planted to reduce heat island effects and improve air quality. A key feature is a hydrological system that captures rainwater, reducing runoff and creating small urban wetlands for local wildlife.

While the park shows early signs of spontaneous vegetation growth and returning biodiversity since opening in 2024, long-term effects on the ecosystem remain to be studied. The project received LEED v4 Gold certification for sustainable design, and Laval intends to apply these principles to future urban projects.