Pour une géographie du cosmopolitisme autour du boulevard Saint-Laurent Mises en récit, nostalgies patrimoniales et constructions territoriales

摘要

This thesis questions the geography of cosmopolitanism, through the study of narratives, practices and representations around Saint Lawrence boulevard in Montreal. The street represents a divide between the “two solitudes” – the French-speaking and the English-speaking areas -, but also a bond, a passage and melting place, where immigrants settled during the 20th century. This research is based on field studies - combining observation and interviews. It also relies on studies of planning documents, reports and literature. In this former immigration corridor, three aspects of cosmopolitanism are converging, competing and sometimes overlapping: a political and identity-led cosmopolitanism, a consumerist cosmopolitanism, and a day-to-day experienced cosmopolitanism. Several scales of power operate on the boulevard (districts, municipality, provincial and federal government) so that one can read in diversity policies and heritage designations. The boulevard is also a lever for branding strategies: while “ethnic” neighborhoods clearly highlight the assets of cosmopolitanism, public and private real estate developers keep a low profile on that front in the Quartier des Spectacles. At any rate, these neighborhoods are not only about communication and branding: they are also daily experiences, commuting and hustle for cultural communities and many other inhabitants. The boulevard is therefore a space of urban experiences, that gives birth to a form of everyday cosmopolitanism, which is underpinned by venues, atmospheres and time specificities. This notably materializes through key people and special venues in time, such as festivals or walking tours.