The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinars
Urbanity
Awards
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Interested in a Corporate TUD+ Membership? Access premium content, site tours, event discounts and networking opportunities
Interested in a Corporate Membership? Access exclusive member benefits today
Enquire NowEnquire
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Partner Lab
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
OfficeStaff WriterWed 01 Oct 14

Euroméditerranée: Breathing New Life Into Ancient Marseille

TUD+ MEMBER CONTENT
E
SHARE
print
Print

A joint initiative of the French national government and local organisations, the Euroméditerranée project is redeveloping and growing Marseille to become recognised as one of Europe’s major cities.


This social, economic and cultural development project launched in 1995 and is the largest urban renewal project in Europe, at 480 hectares.


Euroméditerranée is building a new 'city within the city', respecting the principles of sustainable development and striking a balance of social equity, economic growth and environmental protection. Infrastructure and public spaces — as well as offices, homes, shops, hotels and cultural and recreational facilities — are under construction or renovation.


Euroméditerranée’s mission is divided into four distinct areas:

  • Quality of life: Eliminate slums, help renovate homes, produce public housing, improve public spaces, create sports facilities, and develop local services.

  • Development and planning: Prepare development plans and implement major changes in urban infrastructure, structures and public spaces.

  • Property development: Schedule developers and investors for the construction or rehabilitation of offices, homes, shops, hotels. and cultural and recreational facilities.

  • Economic development: Conduct market research, promotion, communications and marketing to make Marseille attractive; recruit businesses, investors and international organisations; create new jobs.


Euroméditerranée has the status of an “Operation of National Importance”, and the project ‘s target for completion is 2020.


Architecture



Rather than rebuilding neighbourhoods from scratch, Euroméditerranée is renovating existing urban areas. The biggest names in architecture are involved in adding a modern touch to this ancient city, and thereby earn it a place among the great cities of Europe.


As Euroméditerranée is renewing and rebuilding a “city within the city,” and incorporating the modern-day principles of sustainable development, it is being careful to retain the many historic sites that tell the story of Marseille’s diverse history and identity.


By awarding its flagship projects to internationally renowned designers, Euroméditerranée is establishing Marseille’s position among the most creative European cities, and strengthening its international allure.


Two winners of the Pritzker Prize for Architecture (equivalent to the Nobel) are each creating a building for the Euroméditerranée project: Zaha Hadid and Jean Nouvel.


Housing


Euroméditerranée is following the rule of thirds, to respect social diversity and cohesion: 1/3 public-assistance housing, 1/3 intermediate housing, 1/3 free-market housing. This balance is being reached by combining the renovation of existing housing with the creation of new housing stock.
Business




A "sense of greenery” is created by both public green spaces and private gardens. Euroméditerranée’s plans call for approximately 27,600 square meters of public squares and gardens and the planting of 1,500 trees in public spaces. The plan also invloved the creation and restoration of more than 30 hectares of public space and nearby services.


Euroméditerranée’s housing programs also provide green space by incorporating interior gardens, buildings interspersed with public squares, and large private gardens visible from public spaces.


Upon completion of the project, Euroméditerranée will offer more than 45,000 square meters of gardens and public squares.


Quick Facts


Area: 480 hectares


Housing: 18,000+ units


Offices and businesses: 1,000,000+ square meters


Stores: 200,000+ square meters


Public Facilities: 200,000+ square meters


Green spaces and public areas: 60 hectares


Jobs: 35,000+


Population: 38,000+


Investments: 7 Billion Euros


OfficeInfrastructureHotelInternationalPlanningPlanningResearch
AUTHOR
Staff Writer
"TheUrbanDeveloper.com is committed to delivering the latest news, reviews, opinions and insights into the best of urban development from Australia and around the world. "
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
Anthony and Paul Mancini HERO TEMP
Exclusive

Adapt or Die: How Mancini Pulled Back from the Brink

Leon Della Bosca
8 Min
Elanor Investors Tweed Mall masterplan
Exclusive

Tweed Marks Time as $900m Mall Redevelopment Goes Quiet

Renee McKeown
6 Min
High-density residential construction in Melbourne
Exclusive

Stabilising Conditions in Melbourne Bring Hopes of Improved Feasibility

Leon Della Bosca
6 Min
QBCC project trust accounts hero
Exclusive

Developers Warned as Commission Cracks Down on Subbie Pay Scheme

Clare Burnett
7 Min
Urban Infill site at Tonsley SA
Exclusive

SA Grapples with ‘Development Killer’ Carparking Law Changes

Leon Della Bosca
7 Min
View All >
Balmain Leagues Club EDM
Residential

Perifa’s Ex-Balmain Leagues Plan Clears Final Hurdle

Clare Burnett
Coliving Chippendale EDM
Residential

Plans for $31m Co-Living PBSA in Sydney CBD Revealed

Clare Burnett
Anthony and Paul Mancini HERO TEMP
Exclusive

Adapt or Die: How Mancini Pulled Back from the Brink

Leon Della Bosca
A father’s advice inspired a pivot that not only saved two brothers’ construction firm but drove it to new heights…
LATEST
Balmain Leagues Club EDM
Residential

Perifa’s Ex-Balmain Leagues Plan Clears Final Hurdle

Clare Burnett
3 Min
Coliving Chippendale EDM
Residential

Plans for $31m Co-Living PBSA in Sydney CBD Revealed

Clare Burnett
3 Min
Anthony and Paul Mancini HERO TEMP
Exclusive

Adapt or Die: How Mancini Pulled Back from the Brink

Leon Della Bosca
8 Min
GPT/QuadReal First Partnership EDM
Industrial

GPT, QuadReal’s $1bn Deal Joins Rush for Aussie Logistics

Clare Burnett
3 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/euromediterranee-breathing-new-life-into-ancient-marseille