Vehicles and concrete structures dominate modern-day towns and cities, creating urban landscapes increasingly devoid of trees and green spaces. Urban sprawl encroaches upon unspoilt countryside every day. However, it is possible to invite nature back into towns to enhance our quality of life. * Michel Labrecque, President of the Montreal Transit Corporation (STM), extols the virtues of getting around by bike. Several of Michel Labrecque’s innovations: the Maison des cyclistes, the Route verte and the very popular Tour de l'Île de Montréal event. * Geoffrey Cape is the eco-founder and director of Evergreen, an organisation that works to create green spaces in urban areas. He persuaded the City of Toronto to support them in their aim to make the city greener. He initiated the Brick Works project to infuse nature to Toronto landscapes. * In 2009, Gregor Robertson, the Mayor of Vancouver, established a team of environmental experts with a view to making the city greener. Lindsay Cole coordinates and supervises the work of urban planners responsible for transforming Vancouver into Canada’s “Greenest City” by 2020. Also available in French: Faire respirer la ville