Centre d’ecologie urbaine de Montreal

What Centre d’ecologie urbaine de Montreal does

Centre d'écologie urbaine de Montréal (CEUM) is an independent non-profit organization (OBNL) founded in 1996 in Montreal by Dimitrios Roussopoulos and Lucia Kowaluk. The organization develops practices, methodologies, and policy recommendations to help create ecological, democratic, and healthy cities, with a core focus on participatory urban planning, active transportation, climate adaptation (particularly depaving/green infrastructure), and citizen engagement. Its service portfolio spans direct consulting to municipalities (e.g., Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Sud-Ouest, Laval, Magog), a catalog of professional training programs (over 20 distinct courses, qualifying for Ordre des urbanistes du Québec continuing education credits), flagship programs such as "Sous les pavés" (depaving), "Zone Santé," "Jasons climat," "Budget participatif," and "Promenades de Jane," plus a publications/bookstore operation offering guides and the "Jeu des Rues conviviales" educational game.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: project-based consulting and advisory work, paid professional training (delivered in-person, online, and hybrid), one-time publication and product sales through an e-commerce storefront with publicly disclosed CAD pricing, and a recurring donations/membership program (with suggested tiers of $10–$100 CAD). The go-to-market is relationship-driven and event-based, combining direct outreach to Quebec municipalities and OBNLs with public-facing engagement (Jane's Walks, Citizen Summits, conferences) that serves both mission-delivery and demand-generation. The organization operates from a single headquarters at 5333 avenue Casgrain, Montreal, with no disclosed subsidiaries or parent entity, and is funded without venture capital or private equity ownership.

The organization has built long-standing collaborations with Jan Gehl / Gehl Architects (since 2010, including translation of "Towards a Fine-Scaled Urbanism"), Project for Public Spaces, Green Communities Canada, the Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT), Piétons Québec, and ESPUM (Université de Montréal), among others. It is currently transitioning leadership, with Chaïma Ben appointed as Directrice générale effective May 19, 2026, succeeding the founders' era. CEUM is not a technology company; it has no proprietary software platform, no disclosed AI/ML capability, and no patents, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Centre d’ecologie urbaine de Montreal

Legal name

Centre d'écologie urbaine de Montréal

Website

https://ecologieurbaine.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre d'écologie urbaine de Montréal is an independent non-profit founded in 1996 that provides consulting, training, and programs in participatory urban planning, urban ecology, and citizen engagement for Quebec municipalities, community organizations, schools, and citizen groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Ecology and Participatory Planning Consulting

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

Keywords

• Urban ecology consulting
• Participatory urban planning
• Citizen engagement services
• Active transportation planning
• Sustainable city training

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: The organization provides consulting services to municipalities and organizations on urban ecology, participatory planning, and environmental projects. This includes professional services, project coordination, and advisory work.
2. Training Programs: The Centre offers training sessions and workshops on urban planning, citizen participation, and environmental topics. Thousands of people have been trained since 2011 across Quebec.
3. Publications and Products Sales: Sale of educational materials including guides, books, and games such as the 'Jeu des rues conviviales' game, participatory urban planning guides, and various publications.
4. Donations and Memberships: The organization receives donations from individuals and organizations, and offers membership options for supporters. They conduct fundraising campaigns including symbolic $30 donations for their anniversary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Centre d'ecologie urbaine de Montreal is an independent non-profit consultancy that helps municipalities, public institutions, community organizations, and schools design more ecological, democratic, and healthy urban spaces. It sells participatory urban planning consulting engagements, training programs, citizen mobilization campaigns, and a catalogue of educational publications and games (including the EVEP public-space evaluation methodology and the "La Becane a idees" mobile consultation kiosk).

Product overview

The Centre d'écologie urbaine de Montréal operates as a non-profit organization offering a diverse portfolio of educational tools, publications, programs, and training services focused on urban ecology and participatory planning. Core offerings include the "Jeu des Rues conviviales" (a collaborative game for street design), the "Guide d'urbanisme participatif," and the "Guide De l'asphalte vers un milieu de vie" on de-paving. Major programs include "Sous les pavés" (de-mineralization), "Jasons climat" (climate workshops), "Zone Santé" (health zone development), "Promenades de Jane" (walking tours), "Changer les règles du jeu" (street-play areas), and participatory budgeting initiatives. The organization also provides consultation services, professional training, and publishes educational materials including the book "Ville à échelle humaine." The "Bécane à idées" is a mobile consultation kiosk enabling citizen engagement. Together, these products and services form an integrated ecosystem supporting citizen participation, urban planning, climate adaptation, and community empowerment for sustainable cities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sous les pavés: Participatory demineralization and greening project for public and community spaces in Quebec
• J'identifie, j'agis dans ma communauté
• Zone Santé
• Changer les règles du jeu
• Promenades de Jane
• Jasons climat
• Budget participatif
• Ruelles bleues-vertes
• La Bécane à idées

Products and services

• Participatory urban planning consulting services Custom consulting engagements that help municipalities, public institutions, and community organizations design and run participatory urban planning projects, from public space evaluations to policy co-design.
• Training programs and workshops (Formations) Group training sessions and workshops that build capacity in participatory urban planning, EVEP evaluation, active transportation, and citizen engagement for municipal employees, educators, and community leaders.
• La Becane a idees mobile consultation kiosk A purpose-built mobile consultation kiosk deployed in public spaces, schools, and events to collect structured citizen input on local urban projects and feed it back into planning decisions.
• Jeu des Rues conviviales (educational game) A board-style educational game priced at $35 that introduces players to convivial, ecological, and safe street design principles, used in classrooms, workshops, and community events.
• Guide d'urbanisme participatif A practical guide priced at $17 that walks practitioners and citizens through the steps of participatory urban planning, with methods, case studies, and facilitation tools.
• Guide De l'asphalte vers un milieu de vie A printed guide that explains how to transform asphalt-dominated streets into livable environments, with case studies and design principles for practitioners and engaged citizens.
• Livre - Ville a echelle humaine A book priced at $35 that articulates a human-scale vision of the city, compiling essays and case studies on people-centered urban planning.
• Revue et mode d'emploi des etudes de la vie dans les espaces publics au Canada A review and practitioner manual documenting public-life studies across Canada, providing researchers and planners with methods to assess how public spaces are actually used.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained thousands of professionals and citizens across Quebec since 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Green Communities CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the EEPE (Ensemble, enracinons Parc-Extension) project for participatory greening in Montreal neighbourhoods. Green Communities Canada worked with the Centre to design and implement green infrastructure projects in socially and environmentally vulnerable areas.
• Jan Gehl / Gehl ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration since 2010 on human-scale urbanism. Translated and launched 'Towards a Fine-Scaled Urbanism' book in 2012, collaborated on public space studies, organized conferences and training. The partnership has shaped urban planning methodology in Quebec.
• Gehl ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of ÉVEP (Studies of Life in Public Space) training program. Partnership includes translation of 'Life Between Buildings' (2019) and development of lesespacespublics.com platform.
• Project for Public Spaces (PPS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in 2016 during Urban Ecology Days for conferences in Montreal and Quebec City plus professional training, featuring Fred Kent of PPS.
• The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year collaboration on 'complete streets' practices. Worked together on promoting active transportation and street design for all users.
• Sustainable CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of 'S'outiller pour bâtir ensemble la ville active' training program for building active cities.
• Ordre des urbanistes du QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized partner for continuing education for urban planning professionals. Training programs qualify for professional development credits.
• The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the 'S'outiller pour bâtier ensemble la ville active' training program, part of a North American network for active transportation.
• Piétons QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptional partner for the 'Le jeu des rues conviviales' training, providing expertise on walkability issues experienced by different populations.
• École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal (ESPUM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of 'La ville à hauteur d'enfant' training program on child-friendly urban environments.
• MétaludeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer and partner for 'Susciter et diversifier le jeu dans l'espace public' workshop on inclusive play in public spaces.
• Société LogiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptional partner for 'Le droit à la ville des personnes aînées' training, providing expertise on universal accessibility.
• Chaire Internationale sur les usages et pratiques de la ville intelligente (UQAM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of training on friendly streets projects and carbon reduction impact evaluation.
• AECOMminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOptional partner for urban design advice and friendly streets policy development in the training on carbon reduction.
• Alliance Ruelles bleues-vertescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre is a member of the Alliance Ruelles bleues-vertes, working to develop innovative stormwater management practices through blue-green alley projects in Quebec.
• Ville en vertminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in the Bye Bye Béton depaving program, supporting planting planning and implementation of greening activities.
• SoverdiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on private domain depaving pilot project in Montreal, identifying and engaging property owners for greening initiatives.
• Table des groupes de femmes de Montréal (TGFM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of 'Comment favoriser une participation équitable en aménagement?' training, applying intersectional gender analysis (ADS+) in planning processes.
• Local2 (now part of Rue de la Convivialité)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Va faire tes courses autrement' campaign for sustainable commercial street practices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Équiterre: Quebec non-profit working on ecological transition, sustainable mobility, and community resilience. Comparable in non-profit consulting model serving Quebec municipalities on environmental and urban policy.
• Green Communities Canada: National Canadian organization supporting community-based environmental and active-transportation projects. Documented CEUM partnership (EEPE Parc-Extension), with directly comparable program portfolio on green infrastructure and active mobility.
• Vivre en Ville: Quebec non-profit focused on sustainable urbanization, active living, and community-building best practices. Closely comparable to CEUM in mission, Quebec regional footprint, and consultancy/non-profit model serving municipalities.
• TCAT (Centre for Active Transportation): Toronto-area active transportation and complete-streets consultancy. Documented partner of CEUM, with overlapping focus on active-transportation training programs and policy support to municipalities.
• Piétons Québec: Quebec pedestrian advocacy organization working on walkability, active mobility, and safe streets policies. Direct overlap with CEUM on active transportation, friendly-streets work, and Janes's Walks advocacy.
• Société Logique: Quebec non-profit consulting on universal accessibility, urban design, and inclusive planning. Documented CEUM training partner; directly comparable on accessibility/age-friendly urban-planning consulting to municipalities.

Broad incumbents

• Project for Public Spaces (PPS): US-based global leader in placemaking and public space methodology. CEUM collaboration partner (2016); comparable in mission but operates at broader North American scale with larger portfolio of training, conferences, and consulting.
• Vermont Urban & Community Forestry / Smart Growth America: US national coalition advancing equitable, sustainable, and economically strong communities through better development and infrastructure. Comparable in advocacy and capacity-building for municipalities around sustainable, participatory urban planning.
• Living Cities: US collaborative of philanthropic and financial institutions focused on equitable, sustainable cities. Comparable in mission of integrating equity, climate, and economic inclusion in urban development, but at much larger scale.

Regional players

• Sustainable Calgary: Calgary-based non-profit on sustainable urban development and active transportation. Documented CEUM co-design partner on training program; comparable mission in different Canadian region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EcologieUrbaineLive
• Facebookfacebook.com/centre.ecologie.urbaine.mtl
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/centre-d'écologie-urbaine-de-montréal
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecologieurbaine
• Xx.com/EcologieUrbaine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre d’ecologie urbaine de Montreal