Martin Drouin is a professor in the Department of Urban and Tourism Studies at UQAM. He was initially trained in history before moving to an urban studies program for his doctoral dissertation. He then turned to the history of the present time by focusing on citizen action to safeguard Montreal's heritage in the context of numerous urban conflicts beginning in the 1970s (Le combat du patrimoine, Montréal 1973-2003, PUQ, 2005). His research focuses on the history of built heritage in Quebec. He is particularly interested in the patrimonialization and the meaning invested in heritage conservation. In this perspective, citizen action is a privileged axis of his research. He is not only interested in the preservation and requalification of old buildings but also in the modes of enhancement and mediation, notably through tourism. He is currently vice-president of the Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal, an advisory body of the City of Montreal on heritage matters.
Sessions in which Prof. Martin Drouin participates
Wednesday 25 May, 2022
We propose a rich and colorful inaugural evening, in a mythical place: Dawson Hall, behind St James United Church (1887-1889, Alexander Francis Dunlop, arch.), known as the "Montreal Methodist Cathedral" - with 2000 seats, it was the largest Methodist church in Canada when it was built. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1996, it escaped demolition in 1980 when it was classified as a historic monument, and then escaped extinction thanks to an ambitious restoration project, in...
Saturday 28 May, 2022
Since the 19th century, citizens grouped within different types of associations, from the learned society to the friends of heritage, have been interested in local history and, by extension, in the traces of these on the territory. This citizen contribution is expressed in many ways. First of all, while such historical society groupings have a venerable past, their proliferation and their commitment to defend the archives, to s...
Nearly forty historical societies and heritage associations are active on the island of Montreal. Some are very old, but most are more recent. Some are very well known, most work in the shadows. Nevertheless, all these associations play an essential role in the community. They not only involve hundreds of volunteers but also reach thousands of citizens. Their action is multifaceted.We are currently conducting a research project in co...
We offer a unique experience for the closing dinner of this conference in Montreal, in the former U.S. pavilion of Expo'67 - the most popular of the exhibition, with 5.3 million visitors: the "geodesic dome" designed by architect Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) with the collaboration of Shoji Sadao. The self-supporting steel honeycomb structure, covered with a polymer skin, was burned down in 1976 and redeveloped in the 1990s, according to the plans of architect Éric Gauthier, into an envir...