REVITALIZATION STRATEGY

Municipalities can find themselves faced with a number of challenges that arise from the depreciation of their core districts, a lack of activities and organized events, a local socio-economic slow-down, the physical deterioration of the district, or problems getting people to become involved and take joint action. To address these issues, the Rues principales Foundation proposes a partnership strategy that consists of a step-by-step process to ensure lasting results and to give credibility and exposure to the different local stakeholders.

In this way, elected officials, citizens, business people and the other local partners or organizations work together to establish an analysis of the area and to bring to light and identify:

• the sector's strong and weak points
• each partner's expectations
• the various issues (commercial, economic, cultural and physical).

Together, they develop and adopt a comprehensive vision of future development and implement strategies that address the four key components of revitalization:

• Public consultation evenings held to gather people's perceptions, concerns and expectations, including the drafting of a report
• Selection process for project coordinator
• Leading of work sessions for developing a strategic plan
• Session to take stock of the current situation
• Preparation and leading of evenings for presenting an overview...

• Work sessions for drawing up a business development and recruitment strategy (including the preparation and leading of 3 to 4 sessions and drafting of the strategy)
• Creation of a business location and diversification map
• Professional and technical support for preparing a business recruitment and promotion document
• Analysis of the supply and demand: determination of commercial leakages and development opportunity niches...

• Work sessions for developing with the community a marketing strategy that integrates promotion, communication, marketing and animation
• Work session for developing a signage concept and policy for indicating attractions, points of interest, historic sites and institutions
• Preparation of an annual promotion and animation calendar...

• Preparation, with the help of work sessions held with the participation of local stakeholders, of a development and redevelopment guide
• Design and production of sketches of sections of streets
• Design and production of sketches for the judicious renovation of buildings
• Guidance in preparing an SPAIP type of bylaw (expertise, drafting of regulatory clauses, etc.))
• Work sessions for writing a guide to carrying out quality work on buildings
• "Pro forma" feasibility study for recycling buildings
• Work sessions for preparing a parking management policy or a signage bylaw…

• organization
• economic and commercial development
• animation and promotion
• physical improvements

By setting up action committees whose members are people committed to their community, the attainment of objectives is assured, as is the accomplishment of the projects agreed upon.

THE FOUNDATION OFFERS THE PARTNERS IN EACH AREA:

• a planned revitalization strategy, founded on joint action, where all local partners and stakeholders are represented and work together to develop both a vision of their future development and to acquire a concerted action strategy;
• a structured global approach that takes into account the various facets of revitalization: organization, economic development, animation and promotion, and physical improvements;
• professional guidance and ongoing follow-up of a local staff that works to establish and carry out the revitalization process;
• continual professional and technical supervision provided to the different partners and to the action groups as they carry out their action plans to ensure the revitalization and harmonious development of their area;
• participation in a discussion network that brings together all participating municipalities;
• promotion of their revitalization work through its newsletter, its Repertory of Success Stories, an annual conference, an Award of Excellence program and through summaries of completed projects.

The Rues principales Foundation can help you find financial partners to put in place a Rues principales strategy in your area.