Experiencing Green Infrastructures for Roads & Squares Within the Boulevard DE La Villette and Colonel Fabien Square Paris France

Paris is in the process of an ambitious urban redevelopment. The long-term perspective is a sustainable city that provides its public, urban spaces to the citizens again and for many different uses. In this context the thesis proposal “Experiencing Green Infrastructures” deals with roads and squares within the “Boulevard DE La Villette” and “Colonel Fabien Square”. The “Colonel Fabien square” is an intersection point for nine roads, two of which run parallel to the metro underpass in the north direction. This square is overwhelmed by traffic noise, higher carbon emissions and of course an increase in temperature of the micro climate. The design approach stresses towards enhancing sustainable urban mobility and green infrastructure and focuses on a minimalistic design intervention by increasing green surface areas and giving highest priority to pedestrian traffic, bicyclists, public transportation and then vehicular traffic respectively. With this new urban mobility design the focus is on inclusion of green spaces and green infrastructure, which not only aids in storm water management but also aids in building climate resiliency, altogether decreasing the carbon emissions content, and improving the quality and atmosphere of the open public spaces. The second aspect of the design concept focuses on socially reviving the “Colonel Fabien square” for pedestrian and bicycle users by an activity based design which includes all age groups and maximizing the use of the public spaces in different times of the day and seasons or even rare occasions.