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Understanding what makes a good urban neighbourhood means measuring whether it puts most people on an even keel, and what does that are things like equal access to multiple commercial and public amenities, and especially the ability to get around.

Public transportation exists to provide affordable mobility, connecting Montrealers not just to their city, but to friends and family, and, in many cases, their jobs. At the same time, recent research suggests Montreal’s métro may have contributed to the changing demographic composition of surrounding neighbourhoods; in other words, gentrification (see infographic).

Dr. Zachary Patterson, a Concordia professor in the department of geography, planning and environment (GPE) who co-authored the study with graduate student Annelise Grube-Cavers, wonders what this means for people who earn a lower income.

“My suspicion is that poorer people are moving to neighbourhoods that are more affordable, but that don’t necessarily have as good access to a métro, ” Patterson said.