Discovering transitional-space projects in Montreal to illustrate the systems approach

Real estate development is a good example of a milieu characterized by systemic dynamics. In particular, it involves property issues and questions of use and ownership. “The question of real estate development is the question of who makes the city,” says Philémon Gravel, Managing Director and co-founder of Entremise, an organization working in the field of transitional occupation. “When we integrate transitional space in vacant buildings into long-term real estate development practices, the systemic impact of this approach can change the perceptions and actions of stakeholders.”

In this video, Philémon shows us how such a change in both paradigm and usage can leverage innovation for community development.

Transitional space is a good example of a systems approach. It’s a practice that requires the cooperation of multiple stakeholders with sometimes divergent interests. Cost-effectiveness, public revenue generated by property, heritage preservation, and socio-economic development are just a few examples. Rather than a quick fix to a symptom, transitional space aims for sustainable change in systems by working with the network of which it’s a part.

The MIS thanks the entire Entremise team for its contribution in Raccords.

Read the other sections of this issue

THE PODCAST

Forget about one-size-fits-all solutions to complex problems

Recorded remotely on October 21, 2021, this podcast is a conversation with Annika Voltan, Executive Director of the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia… Read more and listen to the podcast

THE INTERVIEW

How can we equip ourselves to make use of the systems approach?

For Darcy Riddell, Consultant in Strategy and Systems Change, the systems approach is the only way to observe and take action in the world so that we can achieve positive change… Read more

THE LIST