Abstract:

This research, in partnership with the City of Montréal, examines the socio‑economic value generated by the «Quartiers inclusifs et résilients» (QIR) initiative, an organizational infrastructure designed to reduce territorial inequities, strengthen collaborative governance, and improve the coherence of municipal interventions in three pilot neighbourhoods: Montréal‑Nord, Lachine and Ville‑Marie. Guided by a conceptual framework combining theories of socio‑economic and social value, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative governance, the study investigates two central questions: What socio‑economic value does the QIR generate? For whom, and through which mechanisms?

Methodologically, the research integrates a literature review and an inductive, abductive analysis of qualitative data from 22 semi‑structured interviews and one multi‑stakeholder workshop. The results show that the QIR is perceived as an experimental governance device enabling a transversal culture of work, a more targeted understanding of local needs, and a renewed collaboration between the City‑centre, boroughs, and community actors. The value produced emerges primarily from the processes and mechanisms the QIR activates: shared decision-making, cross‑expertise mobilization, iterative learning, strengthened institutional relationships, and greater citizen participation, rather than from final project outcomes, which remain early in their implementation.

The analysis identifies multiple value dimensions: improved decision quality, enhanced territorial equity, increased institutional trust, strengthened borough capacities, and greater social cohesion. However, the deployment faces structural constraints, notably the absence of dedicated funding, rigid budgetary mechanisms, incomplete alignment with central processes, information‑sharing barriers, and a short 2-3 years horizon, misaligned with municipal project cycles.

Key lessons include the need to clearly position the QIR as a collaborative governance tool, ensure stable leadership and teams, maintain a focus on vulnerable territories, and invest in a shared language and organizational learning. Recommendations emphasize institutionalizing the QIR through a dedicated multi‑year program, reinforcing interservice coordination, developing shared tools and indicators, increasing communication, and supporting citizen participation.

Overall, the study concludes that the QIR generates socio‑economic value for the City‑centre, boroughs, community organizations, and citizens, especially in vulnerable areas, by fostering collaborative governance, improving territorial understanding, and strengthening institutional and social capacities. Its long‑term transformative potential, however, depends on sustained structural support, adequate funding, and deeper organizational integration.

Keywords:

Urban governance, research in partnership, social value, value creation.