Public Meeting to discuss the Global Project and specific URBiNAT contributions to renovate the district of Nantes Nord
Housing, shops, employment, nature, health … and the URBiNATÂ Nantes-Nord Healthy Corridor. On Tuesday 12 October, 100+ residents met to discuss with the elected representatives and the town planner, the results of co-planning and co-creation actions taken so far, and transformations to come with a view to opening up and improving the district.
Water and nature at the heart of the project
“The first interventions concerned the renovation of housing, public spaces and the construction of the future health centre. But transformations are also underway to enhance the natural environment in the city and the landscapes of Nantes Nord,” explains Jean-Marc Bichat, the architect-urban planner (germe&JAM) in charge of the project with the Bruel-Delmar workshop. The master plan, drawn up with nearly 4,000 people (residents, associations, companies and public services concerned), has evolved to meet the challenges of climate change and the more stringent requirements of Nantes Métropole in terms of ecological transition. At the heart of the project is the desire to open up the watercourses, which are currently channelled, to collect the district’s rainwater, combat flooding and provide spaces for relaxation and meetings. For example, there are plans to build a pond in the Canada garden, the starting point of a long green walk that will eventually link the Bout des Pavés, the Chêne des Anglais and the Amande park along the water’s path.
“This project is not only about housing and the living environment. It also aims to respond to the challenges of social cohesion and economic development, with actions in the areas of security, youth employment, health, education, access to rights, or even to encourage the installation of businesses in the district,” insists Bassem Asseh, first deputy mayor in charge of the city’s political quarters
Further Reading
Nantes Nord Mobile Living Lab
MOBIL’O PROJET: A mobile Living Lab
Nantes is one of seven pilot cities taking part in the URBiNAT project, which promotes nature in the city. Since the launch of the project the inhabitants of Nantes Nord have been taking part in the co-planning and co-creation of a Healthy Corridor for their district. The “corridor” in the process of being co-created will be experienced for the first time, with walkthroughs and presentations, during this 4th edition of the Printemps du Projet Global. This week of events was an opportunity to discover the Mobil’O Projet, a mobile Living Lab for the district of Nantes Nord dedicated to information and dialogue.
Highlights from a week of citizen dialogue and exchanges
1. Shared garden at La Boissière
All week long, gardeners from the City of Nantes’ Green Spaces and Environment Department (Seve) are offering workshops, activities and participatory planting to residents. On Thursday 15 October, it will be possible to discover the audio documentary “La bonne cage” on the daily life of the Boissière over the seasons. The Mobil’O Project will also be on site.
2. Parent-child workshop
The Bio-T-Full association, which works for the development and promotion of urban agriculture, offers to create mini self-sufficient gardeners.
3. Neighbourhood walkthrough
The Canada garden, co-constructed with the residents, has a new playground. This space is the starting point of the first green loop designed within the framework of the URBiNAT project. The inhabitants were invited to test the corridor and share their impressions as part of the ongoing co-creation process.
4. Discovering the neighbourhood by bike
Share a bike ride, with family or friends, to (re)discover the greenways of Nantes Nord. Cycle ride through the Nantes Nord neighbourhood to Port Barbe.
