The Impact of the Urban Form on the Spatial Distribution of Commercial Activities in Montreal

摘要

This thesis investigates Montréal’s commercial arteries through a morphological analysis. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of spatial determinants pertaining to street permeability and street centrality on the nature and spatial distribution of retail activities along a commercial artery.udThis study develops a typology of commercial streets combining both commercial and morphological characteristics. A first analysis is performed at the global level, highlighting the existence of a relationship between the urban form and the nature of commercial offer. A similar analysis is then carried out on a finer scale, focusing on internal street segments, and reveals the presence of regularities in the spatial distribution pattern of commercial activities, convenience retail in particular. udThis research provides a better understanding of how commercial streets function within our cities by emphasizing the significance of the built environment and the spatial structure to explain local commercial streets’ underlying dynamics. Furthermore, the results contrast with recent commercial revitalization strategies that focus on economic (commercial mix), physical (urban design) and social (consumers’ habits) considerations to ameliorate the local commercial environment and address urban sustainability issues. ud