TMR's Green Shift

Tip #1: Managing heavy rainfall through urban greening

 Did you know that nature can help us better manage heavy rainfall?

Large parking spaces and paved backyards prevent water from seeping into the ground, which can lead to heavy water accumulation, overloading of the sewer system and sometimes even water damage.

The solution? Increase the amount of vegetation!

Trees, shrubs, green strips and lawns absorb rainwater and delay its mass arrival in the network. This:

• reduces pressure on the sewer system,
• limits material damage.

The new environmental standards and changes to the #1441 zoning by-law mean that by greening our yards, our town will become more resilient in the face of climate change and the torrential rains that come with it!

Tip #2: An abundance of hard or mineralized paving damages the environment... and has an impact on your quality of life!

Did you know that too much paving can damage your property in the long term?

Paving is practical, but too much of it can cause many problems:

• It contributes to the heat island effect in summer,
• It prevents water from seeping into the ground,
• It encourages seepage and excess water near homes,
• It reduces biodiversity around homes.

A greener yard means:

• cooler temperatures in summer
• a smaller carbon footprint,
• more comfort and beauty in your neighbourhood.

Reducing mineralized surfaces is a small local gesture that has a big impact on the whole area! This is the Town Council's new vision; don't hesitate to come visit and ask your questions to the Urban Planning Department.

Tip #3: Extending green strips to property boundaries

Did you know that simply adding a green strip to your landscaping improves water management?

Asphalt, concrete or paved driveways create impermeable surfaces.

But you can surround them with green strips to:

• catch rainwater
• filter pollutants
• and encourage local biodiversity.

Idea: Opt for native plants or hardy ground covers for minimum maintenance and maximum impact.

A 60-cm wide green strip makes a difference! Imagine the neighbourhood-wide impact of a 2-m wide green strip in all backyards...

The Town of Mount Royal is going green and is counting on your help to make it happen. Be an agent of change and help make TMR greener.