Session A5 I Awards - Urban renewal projects

Led by the residents of the Moncey Nord housing complex, the Rue Duguesclin project (Lyon 3ᵉ) turns a deteriorated green strip into a true piece of urban ecological infrastructure. Developed with the support of the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, the CAUE Rhône Métropole, Arthropologia, the Water Agency, ADEME and the SPL Lyon Part-Dieu, the project is driven by restoring the natural water cycle as a foundation for design. By separating drainage systems and disconnecting a large share of roof runoff, rainwater is now infiltrated on site through planted swales. This linear wooded system, nearly 150 metres long, creates a cooling effect through shading and evapotranspiration while forming a link in the ecological corridor between Parc de la Tête d’Or and Parc Blandan. Using locally sourced, wildlife-friendly plants, the project creates a resilient and low-maintenance landscape. It continues the modernist legacy of Zumbrunnen and Sillan through a contemporary interpretation of living ground and collective stewardship.

On a former industrial site located on the banks of the Deûle Canal, the European Metropolis of Lille has been carrying out, since 2004, with the cities of Lille and Lomme, an urban transformation project with sustainable ambitions. The project, strongly rooted in the historical presence of water on the site, adopted from the outset an integrated approach to stormwater management, backed by high environmental ambitions. These ambitions have been maintained and reinforced over time thanks to a partnership-based approach that has broken down barriers between areas of expertise and engaged in public dialogue, enabling adaptation to the new challenges of urban development. Focused on stormwater management, the project has undergone two major phases reflecting this adaptation. The first, lasting until 2018, preserves the memory of the site's industrial heritage and highlights the flow of water on the surface, paving the way for a reinvented urban landscape that reconnects with nature in the city. The second phase, which has begun in 2019, is built on the initial experiences gained from this “zero pipe” EcoQuartier and takes environmental considerations even further. It gives nature priority over urban development, favoring infiltration at the plot level combined with detailed knowledge of existing environments and ecosystems.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Eco Park in the coastal megacity of Chennai is one of India’s largest demonstrations of a Sponge Park as blue-green infrastructure (BGI) for mitigating climate risks of flooding, heat, and water scarcity. The heart of the 16.63 acres project is a restored waterbody receiving treated sewage water. With restoration, the waterbody has become a wetland habitat and flood buffer with 30,000 m3 of storage capacity. The asphalt in the parking lot was removed to create a network of ponds with the capacity to store and recharge between 845 - 2,400 m3  stormwater. The park design preserved all the mature trees to create a green and well-shaded recreational area for more than 60,000 people who live around the park and 1,000 daily visitors from the city. By integrating amenities like playgrounds and courts, the park provides critical public space in a hyper-dense city with only 0.65 m2 of park space per capita. The park reconnects urban students, workers, and families with wetland habitats consisting of native aquatic species and tall grass that support over 85 species including migratory birds. A 600 m boardwalk with viewing decks and educational signages offer visitors an immersive experience of living with water and celebrating it as a resource in climate adaptation.