The Port of Quebec is unusual in that is located at the heart of a historic city centre where port operations and a wide range of other urban activities share close quarters.
This makes reconciling port and community activities all the more critical. One key concern is access to and use of land bordering port facilities. With every new development, port and city officials must carefully consider how to live together as good neighbours. As part of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary celebrations, the port developed several noteworthy projects in this neighbourly spirit, such as setting up recreational areas in spaces not dedicated to freight handling.
In the coming months, the development potential of other port land not dedicated to freight handling will be studied. A number of different uses for these areas are under consideration. The process will continue to pay close attention to how city and port can live together as good neighbours. A healthy port–city dialogue emerging from this collaborative process has ramifications far beyond the projects at hand; it also helps the port strengthen ties with the community. The idea of stepping up dialogue to help outsiders better understand port activities was a key point raised at a major conference on city-port relations that was held in Quebec City in April 2011. The Port of Quebec helped organize this event, which brought together speakers from the marine industry, municipalities, and academia to exchange views on how cities and ports can live together. The conference also made it clear just how well Quebec City’s port facilities are integrated into the urban fabric, and noted how the port almost always helps to showcase the city’s charms while adding its own touch of singular beauty.