Straddling two old brownfield sites (industrial and railway) that cover 11 hectares, the Alouettes eco-neighbourhood in Bruay-La-Buissière, in the Hauts-de-France region, is helping to restore the dynamism of the mining district thanks to ambitious redevelopment based on an urban approach that aims for social diversity and low environmental impact.
- 21 November 2019
The town was split in two by a railway line on a spoil tip, which formed a five-metre-high black embankment with only one crossing point in the middle. We have transformed the urban scenery by working on the landscape quality and the connections between the town’s zones.
The project seeks to develop the industrial brownfield sites of the company Plastic Omnium and the old railway line, to create the Alouettes eco-neighbourhood.
The objective is to create urban continuity between the southern neighbourhoods of Bruay-La-Buissière and the town centre. The Alouettes eco-neighbourhood is an urban development and renewal operation. It is a way of diversifying the residential offer, expanding the range of shops and services, integrating the surrounding town, creating connections and gaining wider influence.
A diverse, dynamic and green neighbourhood
This project responds to four challenges. The first is an urban challenge: to build a new neighbourhood that combines housing, spaces for relaxation, recreation and walking, public transport, and economic and commercial spaces. The second challenge is of a social nature. The 350 homes planned will be for different categories of residents (owners, tenants, young households, the elderly). The third challenge is an economic one: spaces will be reserved for economic and commercial activities. Finally, the project responds to an environmental challenge. It has a been granted a ‘Territorial Excellence’ label for its strong integration of environmental notions.
A pleasant place to live
The architectural and landscaping choices are intended to limit the environmental impact and provide a pleasant and modern place to live for the population who will occupy the new homes, as well as for the companies that will set up there. The advance consideration of waste and rainwater management, the use of renewable energies, the consideration of ecology and biodiversity, the choice of local sustainable materials and the developments in favour of green transport all work together to make this an integrated project that is committed to improving the quality of life of Béthune-Bruay’s residents.
Hubs for events and activities
The eco-neighbourhood is based on several key planning elements:
making building plots viable to allow for complementary programmes for homes, shops and services; three new routes to connect the northern and southern neighbourhoods, and end the urban division created by the railway;the enlargement of the former Place Henri-Bodelot to make it a better location for part of the Sunday market and to support local events and activities in this part of the town; the development of an attractive hub of activity on the Plastic Omnium site, thanks to the repurposing of the industrial land;a planted promenade dedicated to green transport, as well as additional parking and a right of way that will provide a separate space for future public transport; the creation of a public garden.To complete this project, 52 additional gross jobs have been created.
Total investment and European funding
Total investment for the ‘Alouettes eco-neighbourhood’ project is EUR 9 524 538; the European Regional Development Fund contribution amounts to EUR 5 265 053 under the ‘Operational Programme for Nord-Pas-de-Calais’ cooperation programme for the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 programming periods. The investment falls under the ‘Jobs, Growth and Investment’ priority.