By Jayson Adam, P.Eng. and Mélissa Breton‑Dufour, P.Eng., M.Sc.A.
Infrastructure projects for cities and municipalities play a structuring role in the development and resilience of communities. Water distribution and sewer networks, stormwater management, street design, and public spaces are closely interconnected and must be designed coherently to meet current needs while anticipating future challenges related to climate change and evolving urban environments.
In this context, a comprehensive and integrated vision of infrastructure becomes essential to ensure the performance, durability, and ease of operation of public works.
A holistic vision of urban infrastructure
Infrastructure projects for cities and municipalities are no longer limited to the design of underground networks. They are now part of a coordinated approach that integrates streets, drainage systems, water distribution, sanitary and storm sewers, retention basins, and urban design elements.
This holistic vision makes it possible to:
- coordinate interventions to limit repeated construction work;
- optimize investments;
- ensure stronger alignment between technical infrastructure and urban uses;
- improve neighbourhood resilience to extreme weather events.
Network sizing and integrated stormwater management
The sizing of water distribution, sanitary sewer, and stormwater networks is based on a rigorous analysis of current and projected needs. This key phase also provides an opportunity to integrate sustainable stormwater management solutions tailored to the site conditions.
The integration of swales, retention basins, infiltration systems, and other stormwater management facilities makes it possible to:
- reduce flow rates and volumes conveyed to networks;
- limit the risk of overloading and sewer backups;
- improve the quality of discharged water;
- promote infiltration and groundwater recharge.
These solutions are increasingly integrated into street projects and new neighbourhood developments, contributing to more resilient living environments that are better adapted to climatic realities.
Support from preliminary studies to commissioning
The success of an infrastructure project relies on continuous support from early planning through to commissioning. This approach ensures consistency in technical choices, compliance with regulatory requirements, and cost control at every stage of the project.
Close collaboration with cities and municipalities also enables better consideration of operation and maintenance realities right from the design phase. Infrastructure is therefore conceived to be durable, functional, and aligned with operational capabilities.
Designing with operation and maintenance in mind
As part of the urban redevelopment of Lajeunesse Ouest Boulevard, between Dagenais Street and Martel Street in Saint‑Jérôme, collaboration made it possible to adapt the design to the realities of a rapidly transforming area marked by the simultaneous construction of new schools and significant traffic constraints.
This multidisciplinary project, bringing together expertise in hydraulics, electrical systems, traffic signals, landscaping, and civil engineering, was based on close coordination among stakeholders. Combined with rigorous schedule monitoring and detailed construction phasing, this approach made it possible to deliver functional, durable infrastructure designed to facilitate long‑term operation and maintenance.
Embedding sustainable development at the core of projects
Sustainable development principles play a central role in infrastructure design. Material selection, reduction of stormwater volumes to be managed, and enhancement of public spaces all contribute to more responsible projects that are better accepted by communities.
The integration of retention basins, swales, and other ecological stormwater management facilities also helps transform technical constraints into genuine urban assets by creating multifunctional spaces that enhance quality of life.
gbi expertise serving cities and municipalities
At gbi, we support cities and municipalities in delivering comprehensive and coherent infrastructure projects through an integrated and collaborative approach. From planning to commissioning, the goal is to design high‑performance, durable infrastructure tailored to community needs while facilitating long‑term operation and maintenance.
