On May 6, Laurence Vincent, our president, had the honour of co-chairing the 2025 Montréal Climate Summit. A powerful moment where leaders from the business, political, philanthropic, environmental, and community sectors came together around a shared goal: facing the climate emergency—together.
This summit was more than just a space for discussion—it was a reminder.
A reminder of our collective duty to act.
Prével: A Mission 45+ Years Strong… and More Relevant Than Ever
At Prével, our roots are deeply anchored in the idea of human-scale urban living. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear: to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers—right in the heart of the city.
Why central neighborhoods? Because we’ve always believed in a lifestyle built around proximity: walking or cycling to work, running errands around the corner, bumping into neighbors in the park.
In 2025, that vision feels more relevant than ever. In fact, it’s becoming a key lever for building cities that are more sustainable and resilient.
Affordability & Sustainability: A Delicate Balance
Our industry is facing major challenges—rising costs, viability issues, complex regulations.
Balancing energy efficiency, sustainable construction, and housing affordability is becoming increasingly difficult.
And yet, it’s precisely in moments of pressure that innovation must rise.
So the real question becomes:
How can we do things differently? How can we do them better—together?
Five Essential Ingredients for a Sustainable Urban Future
Laurence doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But here are five principles she believes are essential:
We need a culture of dialogue and collaboration.
Developers, cities, governments, communities—we need to learn to listen, understand, and build together.
Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a must.
The climate emergency demands real, tangible solutions, integrated at every stage of our projects.
Innovation must be supported and encouraged.
If a solution benefits the environment, makes economic sense, and helps preserve affordability, then regulation must adapt—not the other way around.
Strong institutional support is essential.
To bring sustainable projects to life, we need to preserve and expand support programs—and simplify the process.
Administrative burden too often stifles bold, meaningful ideas. Lightening the load can be a powerful boost for innovation.
We need strategic public oversight and a stronger educational mission.
A public body should monitor global best practices in sustainable development—and actively share that knowledge with businesses, municipalities, and citizens.
Because to act wisely, we must first understand clearly.
At Prével, we don’t claim to have all the answers.
But we choose to ask the right questions—and to show up, every day, doing our best to build better. For today’s generation, and the ones that follow.
