Concordia’s Next-Generation Cities Institute helps drive change across Montreal

Concordia’s Next-Generation Cities Institute (NGCI) is helping transform local sustainability ambitions into reality. Its projects range from making it easier for Montrealers to decarbonize their homes to supporting community-led climate action and building energy resilience.

The institute — which unites researchers, students and community partners around the design of zero-carbon, climate-resilient urban futures — has played a key role in three recent collaborations that are making a tangible difference across the city.

A smarter way to heat (and cool) Montreal homes

One major initiative is Chauffermieux.com, a free, bilingual online tool that helps residents identify cost-effective and low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuel heating systems. It was developed by NGCI in collaboration with Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, Vivre en Ville, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Hydro-Québec, Energir and the building-sector working group of the Partenariat climat Montréal (PCM). The tool provides tailored energy retrofit recommendations in under two minutes.

NGCI contributed by modelling building energy demand profiles across Montreal — ensuring the results are realistic, accurate and accessible. The platform includes up-to-date information on available subsidies, helping residents take action right away.

“Tools like Chauffermieux.com show how applied research can directly support communities and accelerate the transition to net-zero,” says Oriol Gavaldà, lead of the Zero Carbon Communities cluster at NGCI and a member of the UNIVER/CITY 2030 initiative.

“At the institute, our mission is to co-develop practical, scalable solutions that improve quality of life and reduce emissions — especially in urban environments.”

Strengthening climate resilience with CÔTÉ Habitat

NGCI is also contributing to CÔTÉ Habitat, a shared initiative by ACHAT, Transition en Commun and Concordia. The new operational hub brings together a growing network of collaborators to improve the climate resilience of our living environments.

This one-stop initiative Is designed to help homeowners and tenants — especially those from vulnerable communities — reimagine their living spaces in dialogue with the surrounding community by aligning existing support systems.

CÔTÉ Habitat accounts for environmental, social, urban and financial factors — from energy performance and sustainable mobility to waste management, greening, water use and citizen participation.

Mapping the future of renewable energy in Greater Montreal

In partnership with Polytechnique Montréal and the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC), NGCI is conducting an in-depth analysis of renewable energy potential and waste heat recovery across the region. Using highly detailed spatial data and the Tools4Cities platform, the project evaluates solar, geothermal and industrial waste heat opportunities in relation to local energy demand.

The research will identify technical advantages and constraints based on building types, land use, infrastructure and regulations. A series of scenarios will assess feasibility, costs, emissions reductions and potential impacts on Hydro-Québec’s grid.

The team will also review current policies and propose a multi-criteria decision-making framework to support municipalities in their planning. The end goal: empower local governments with the data and tools they need to shape a more resilient energy system.

Part of a bigger vision

The institute’s work is closely aligned with UNIVER/CITY 2030, Concordia’s roadmap for helping Montreal meet its climate targets while advancing social equity. The umbrella initiative — which received national recognition earlier this year for its collaborative approach — brings together faculty, students, public partners and community organizations around shared urban challenges.

For its part, NGCI and its cross-disciplinary team of more than 150 members seeks to play a central role in urban transformation processes by supporting communities and neighbourhoods in creating unique transition pathways.

“At Concordia, we believe research should be bold, integrated and responsive to the needs of our cities,” says Ursula Eicker, NGCI’s founding director and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Communities. “We’re proud to be working hand in hand with communities to shape a more inclusive, sustainable future — not in the distant future, but right now.”

Learn more about Concordia’s Next-Generation Cities Institute.