Greening

Thousands of plants have been planted around the Port of Québec since 2018, helping beautify its spaces. In 2025, the Port launched its very first Greening Plan, which is not only fully tailored to the region but designed to bolster resilience in the face of climate change.

More specifically, the plan is a tool for:

  • Documenting the baseline condition of the urban forest on Port land
  • Identifying priority areas for future greening
  • Guiding planting projects to maximize sustainability and adaptation to the changing climate

Working with local experts, the Port of Québec is employing innovative approach to optimize the ecosystem services that vegetation provides. From reducing heat islands and improving air quality to filtering runoff water, these services provide tangible benefits that contribute to a healthier, more resilient environment for the benefit of the entire community.

Document name Greening Plan 2025-2035
Type PDF
Weight 8 MB
Download the document

Current Greening

8,5 %
of non-industrial Port land is covered by tall vegetation (2023 data).
51
hectares of Port of Québec land (26% of its total area) are dedicated to non-industrial recreational and tourist spaces.
Over 250
tons of CO₂ (and counting) have been captured by the trees on Port land since they were planted – equivalent to the emissions of 200 cars a year.

Learn more (available only in French): Documentation de la forêt urbaine du territoire du Port de Québec et des services écosystémiques rendus. CERFO.

Overall Greening Target

This target, which is aligned with best practices in urban greening, aims to maximize environmental benefits and help the Port become a bette neighbour. To hit this target, around 300 trees will need to be planted a year for a total of 3,000 trees by 2035.

Specific Greening Targets

  • Flagship projects: These are unifying, large-scale projects that promote greening research and development.
  • Depaving project: These projects reduce the prevalence of asphalt surfaces, particularly non-essential paved surfaces and parking spaces where possible, by replacing them with permeable surfaces like bioswales and green spaces.
  • Infrastructure greening projects: These projects include installing green walls, green roofs, or green fences to help reduce the impact of heat islands, better manage runoff, and more effectively capture airborne dust and pollution.
  • Beautification projects: These projects are involve creating new green spaces or improving existing ones by planting additional vegetation and installing outdoor furniture and artwork to attract passersby.
  • Urban agriculture projects: These projects are meant to enhance the Port’s commitment to the community and the environment and create a sense of belonging.
  • Differentiated green space management projects: Differentiated management involves mowing and landscaping less often, lowering management costs and encouraging biodiversity.
  • Innovative greening projects: These projects turn the Port of Québec into an open-air laboratory by collaborating with startups, local organizations, and Port partners to test new technologies to green and beautify Port land.
  • Greening projects outside of the Port: By supporting projects beyond its property, the Port aims to have a positive impact on urban greening while demonstrating its commitment to the community in terms of protecting biodiversity and improving air quality.

Greening Projects

Here is how our greening projects are advancing in relation to specific targets.

Flagship Beautification Depaving Green infrastructure Urban agriculture Differenciated management Innovation Off-property
Development of Rue de la Nouvelle-France X X
Green barrier wall X
Wharf 101 fence X X
271 terrace X
271 fence – Bicycle path X X
Beauport buttes X
Anse Brown gardens X X
2025 projects 1 6 1 2 1
2035 targets 3 20 10 3 2 2 2 5