Project Aire Ou-vert - CREDDO

he Conseil régional de l'environnement et du développement durable de l'Outaouais (CREDDO), in partnership with the City of Gatineau will be carrying out a climate change adaptation feasibility study to support a greening strategy in the sector of Hull, Gatineau. The objectives of the initiative are to reduce the vulnerability to urban heat islands as well as regulating runoff water. Currently, in Hull, trees occupy only 10% of the surface and residents are facing the effects of urban heat islands. Planting trees will help reducing the vulnerability of downtown population to urban heat islands.The study will consist of first making an inventory of public trees in Hull and analyzing their benefits (heat reduction, conservation value, capture runoff water). This inventory of trees will complete and update the data held by the City of Gatineau. In addition, the study will assess the percentage of soil mineralization in Hull and will identify the physical constraints with regard to planting trees and the required works. The findings of the feasibility study will identify areas that can make a significant difference in the mitigation of heat islands, as well as areas where tree planting would be optimal socially, environmentally and economically. The study will recommend also the most appropriate tree species for the project.The study will be conducted in collaboration with Institut des sciences de la forêt Tempérée (ISFORT) attached to the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and consultations are planned with Hull residents and relevant stakeholders. A final report will be prepared and presented to the City. The results and knowledge gained through the feasibility study will be shared at a local and regional level and results will be communicated to the public.In addition to reducing vulnerability to urban heat islands, this project has social, environmental and economic benefits. It will improve resident’s quality of life, help regulating runoff water, revitalize the sector of Hull and create jobs.