As the world swirls through the current economic crisis, large scale infrastructure projects - building bridges, roads and public transit - have emerged as a proposed solution to stimulate the economy and create jobs. In his 2009 budget speech, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that the Canadian government was "launching one of the largest building projects in Canada's history."

Twelve billion dollars were earmarked for a broad range of infrastructure projects with the goal, as Flaherty put it, "of creating jobs for Canadians now, while providing the infrastructure Canada needs to grow in the years to come."

But while many may be anxious to move ahead with such projects, in episode 82 of the CITIZENShift podcast, Adam Bemma brings us a cautionary tale from Montreal of construction without consultation, and the growing frustration of residents in the city's southwest.

For a deeper look at urban development across Canada, check out our ‘Urban Renewal: Human Neglect?' dossier. You can also find out more about ongoing organising in Montreal by visiting http://mobilisation-turcot.info.

Do you have your own stories of urban development, public consultation and how residents interact with their cities? Get the discussion going by posting on the CITIZENShift site!