This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Residents will also have access to garden plots where they can cultivate vegetables, Source: Ville de Paris/ Jean-Baptiste Gurliat
It’s tiny, but it’s also a step in the right direction and a possible model to replicate
Last week saw the official inauguration of what has been dubbed Paris’ first zero-carbon neighbourhood, located in the 19th arrondissement. The new residential complex, consisting of four buildings is called Îlot fertile (Fertile Isle) and despite its small size contains housing units, hotels, shops, offices and sports facilities, and quite remarkably – no parking spaces, at all.
The Fertile Isle is located on what used to be a degraded industrial space located between railway tracks and occupying a surface of 1.3 hectares. The small area of the quartier, however, also demonstrates that it is possible to create viable and multi-functional urban spaces in line with sustainable standards. 15-minute city? This could even bring about a 2-minute city concept.
Every facet of the neighbourhood conforms to sustainable and low-carbon practices.
The layout and design of the buildings have been carefully considered to limit energy requirements for heating, cooling and lighting as much as possible. On-site energy production is planned with bio-solar roofs of 1,000 m2 of photovoltaic panels, naturally cooled by the various plants also present on the roofs.
The construction itself used locally sourced materials or low-carbon concrete. All of the buildings are equipped with an innovative heat recovery system. Pumps capture the heat from gray water (wastewater from showers or dishwashers) in order to transform it into energy to supply the hot water networks. Once cold, this same wastewater will pass under the pedestrian walkway to join the chilled water loop used to cool the offices.
Cars have not been included in the mobility plans in any way. Instead, a soft mobility track connects the buildings to the nearby RER E station of regional trains, as well as to the tram station. The track itself will be the property of the municipality.
In addition, with its public garden, its bio-solar vegetated roofs, its planted terraces and its vegetable gardens shared with almost 30 fruit trees, the Fertile Isle offers a habitat for the local flora and fauna.
Insect hotels, bat houses on the roof and even a dry stone wall to accommodate lizards have been installed. Birdhouses are integrated into the facades. For swifts, in particular, birds which refuse to settle in unfamiliar habitats, dedicated soundtracks were released just before the mating season to lure them into the nest boxes.
To meet its carbon commitments to the City of Paris, Linkcity (the property developer) has already planned preventive monitoring of the various buildings, in particular for monitoring consumption and the operation of heat pumps.
For ten years, the developer undertakes to follow the life of the district and testify to the City whether the commitments in terms of social integration and sustainable development are being followed.
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
And the effect is especially prominent among younger people who often turn down job offers due to the lack of nearby housing
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
The country’s capital has been a pioneer in crafting policy and initiatives to improve coexistence between people and pets
The amendment to the law shows regard for the public health of youngsters
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team