1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Clermont-Ferrand
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Quartier Sud Saint-Jacques
Short description of the intervention
The South Saint-Jacques district is a residential area. A public housing project in the district incorporates careful landscape planning to promote social interaction, increase biodiversity, and better manage rainwater. It includes green spaces, collective area for free initiative from the community, swales and planted basins for rainwater drainage (Ref. 1).
Address

Quartier Saint-Jacques Sud
63000 Clermont-Ferrand
France

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (3.0973695141692 45.75875225462)
POINT (3.0964163209886 45.759240057288)
POINT (3.0950842048715 45.757359821126)
POINT (3.0952143034619 45.756709609034)
POINT (3.0979457024795 45.757981023759)
POINT (3.0973695141692 45.75875225462)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
The housing area is a series of adjacent rectangular blocks, the coordinates offer a rough approximation (Ref. 1).
Total area
10000.00m²
NBS area
10000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Unknown
Website of the intervention
http://www.a3-paysage.eu/projets-architecte-paysagiste-concepteur/residentialis…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2014
End date of the intervention
2016
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
"The aim of this residential area project is to be in line with the needs of the tenants taking into account three axes: living together, appropriating spaces and improving outdoor spaces." (Ref. 2, page 33)
-"Development of a peaceful and shared social life" (Ref. 1)
-Facilitate rainwater drainage thanks to the swales and planted basins (Ref. 1)
-"Boosting a neighborhood through participative animation" (Ref. 1)
-"A collective of inhabitants will be able to choose the essences of the plants to plant on the different plots and especially these spaces will be the opportunity to meet, to appropriate their environment to better respect it" (Ref. 2, page 23)
Quantitative targets
Total area of within the framework of a residential area project: 1 hectare (Ref. 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
Total area of within the framework of a residential area project in hectares (Ref. 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Water management (SDG 6)
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Improving mental health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Real estate development
Please specify "other Type of NBS project"
-"Boosting a neighborhood through participative animation" (Ref. 1); -"Development of a peaceful and shared social life" (Ref. 1)
Implementation activities
Ref. 8 reported in 2019 that South Saint-Jacques is a "neighbourhood undergoing rehabilitation" and that investors should expect to see greater returns on investments in coming years.
-"Lawned spaces for games and relaxation"
-"A collective initiative space is left free to the desires of the neighbors"
-"A space of animation makes it possible to meet at the bottom of the residence and why not around a table"
-"Each "islets" is structured around 3 identical but varied components to offer a dynamic set based on the context and each place and not based on duplication"
-"The "islets" are cleared to the maximum to allow the development of a calm and shared social life"
-"Concrete based (grey) areas are minimized to increase the biodiversity coefficient and to facilitate the management of rainwater by integrated infrasctures such as swales and planted basins" (Ref. 1)
-"Indeed, initiative spaces collective are planned and will be as many spaces dedicated to the inhabitants of the district for gardening. A collective of inhabitants will be able to choose the species of plants to be planted on the different plots" (Ref. 2, page 23).
A hospital was also built in the neighborhood. A call is then made for further green spaces for young people (Ref. 6).
-"Logidôme thus continues to carry out its social mission of producing low-rent housing, social ties and economic integration. Logidôme is a local leader in this field" (Ref. 9).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Other
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Other
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Community gardens and allotments
Allotments
Green areas for water management
Swales and filter strips
Please specify "other urban green space connected to grey infrastructure"
Apartment buildings with shared green spaces (Ref. 1).
Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"
"Indeed, initiative spaces collective are planned and will be as many spaces dedicated to the inhabitants of the district for gardening. A collective of inhabitants will be able to choose the species of plants to be planted on the different plots" (Ref. 2, page 23).
Please specify "other green areas for water management"
planted basins for rainwater drainage. (Ref. 1)
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
Unknown
What is the level of innovation / development of the NBS related to water management?
Low: Simple rain water collection intervention (rain garden, local seepage pit) or simple permeable areas
Vegetation Type
Grass
Shrubs
Garden beds
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
A collective initiative space, a simple entertainment area, picnic tables, parking (Ref. 2).
Amenities offered by the NBS
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Inspiration for culture, art and design
Recreation
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Social and community interactions
Please specify "other cultural service"
"Boosting a neighborhood through participative animation" (Ref 2)
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Private sector/Corporate/Company
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Young people and children
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
residents in the South Saint-Jacques district residential area of the project (Ref 1)
Marginalized groups
Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Private sector/Corporate/Business
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
"Logidome" (Real Estate Agency) and "A3-Paysage" (Landscape Designer) are the main actors of this project (Ref. 1). Logidome represents part of the public housing office of the municipality of Clermont-Ferrand (Ref. 9).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Land owners
No information found
Other
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
A call is then made for further green spaces for young people (Ref. 6).
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Citizens or community group
Other
Please specify other participatory methods
-"A collective of inhabitants will be able to choose the essences of the plants to plant on the different plots and especially these spaces will be the opportunity to meet, to appropriate their environment to better respect it" (Ref. 2, page 23)
Land owners
No information found
Other
Please specify other land owner
South Saint-Jacques district is a residential area. A public housing project in the district (Ref 1)
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Other
Please specify other landowner
South Saint-Jacques district is a residential area. A public housing project in the district (Ref 1)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Urban Renewal Plan of the City and Implementation of the City Contract (Ref. 2, page 28 and Ref. 3, page 26 and 28)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Spatial planning guidance
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Urban Renewal Plan of the City 2016 Section:"To affirm nature as a support to live together" (Ref. 3, page 26 and 28)
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
-Biodiversity Plan of the city to preserve nature in the city and its ecological corridor (Ref. 4)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Biodiversity strategy or plan
Urban redevelopment plan
Please specify other vegetation type
"Spaces will be dedicated to the inhabitants of the district for gardening. A collective of inhabitants will be able to choose the species of plants to be planted on the different plots" (Ref. 2, page 23). ; planted basins (Ref 1)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Logidome (Real Estate Agency), the Landscape designer A3-Paysage, and the city of Clermont Ferrand. (Ref. 1 and 2)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
560000 (Ref 1)
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Total cost of the residential area project: 560 000€ (Ref. 1).
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Corporate investment
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Please specify other Business model
promote social interaction (Ref 1) -- -"Development of a peaceful and shared social life" (Ref. 1); "The aim of this residential area project is to be in line with the needs of the tenants taking into account three axes: living together, appropriating spaces and improving outdoor spaces." (Ref. 2, page 33)

Business models
Green densification model
Other
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Green spaces created as well as swales, planted basins and a collective area. (Ref 1)
Please specify social innovation
Consultation to association and neighbors (Re.f 2, page 33).
Spaces created for sharing and meeting place (Ref. 1)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Description of environmental benefits
Water management and blue areas
-Improved stormwater management: a qualitative description of better management "Mineral surfaces are reduced to a minimum to increase the biodiversity coefficient and facilitate the management of rainwater through devices integrated into the composition (valley and planted basin). This design makes it possible to drastically reduce the length of the networks as well as the associated structures (manholes, grids, etc.)" (Ref. 1)

Green space and habitat
-Increased green space area: quantitative increase, m^2
Economic impacts
Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
Stimulate development in deprived areas
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
Spaces created for sharing and meeting place (Ref. 1)
Description of economic benefits
-Stimulate development in deprived areas: Ref. 8 reported in 2019 that South Saint-Jacques is a "neighbourhood undergoing rehabilitation" and that investors should expect to see greater returns on investments in coming years.
-Increase of jobs: Work carried out by A3 Landscape (Ref. 1).
Social and cultural impacts
Safety
Increased perception of safety
Decreased crime rates
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved liveability
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Promotion of cultural diversity
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
Consultation to association and neighbors (Re.f 2, page 33).
Spaces created for sharing and meeting place (Ref. 1)
Description of social and cultural benefits
Social justice and cohesion:
-Improvement of liveability: "Simple but unifying theme for a new approach to residentialization. Here, the nuisances are grouped together. The new car parks are next to the old garages and the heart of the islets are cleared to the maximum to allow the development of a peaceful and shared social life" (Ref. 1).
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: the design is intended "to allow the development of a peaceful and shared social life" (Ref. 1)

Health and wellbeing:
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: " A lawned area for games and relaxation" (Ref. 1).

Consultation to association and neighbors (Re.f 2, page 33).
Spaces created for sharing and meeting place (Ref. 1)

safety: In 2016, the South Saint-Jacques District was reported by some to have faced challenges related to rising criminal activity and a declining reputation of the neighbourhood (Ref. 5). In 2019, it was reported that the district had effectively combated rising insecurity with inhabitants saying that "yes, there is less incivility and also less damage" (Ref. 6). The prefect of the district is reported to have attributed the improvement of the situation to "an increase in public services in the district or the urban renewal program". A hospital was also built in the neighbourhood. A call is then made for further green spaces for young people (Ref. 6).

There is not enough evidence to indicate whether this suggests project success or gentrification.

A real estate news website stated that: "But it is changing rapidly, with many projects in progress which should make it attractive in the medium term. Face lifts are also slated for Montferrand, in the east, and Saint-Jacques, in the south. The latter is famous for its "Wall of China", a bar of dilapidated buildings with more than 350 apartments slated for demolition by 2023" (Ref. 8).

Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Swales and planted basins for water management, collective area for free initiatives, meeting area for neighbors, green spaces created for increasing biodiversity coefficient (Ref. 1)
Face lifts are also slated for Montferrand, in the east, and Saint-Jacques, in the south. The latter is famous for its "Wall of China", a bar of dilapidated buildings with more than 350 apartments slated for demolition by 2023" (Ref. 8).
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Water management (SDG 6)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Paid employment positions
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Other
Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Consultation to association and neighbors (Re.f 2, page 33).
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
The South Saint Jacques District was offered as an example in reporting on the divide between classes regarding the impacts of Covid-19 (Ref. 7). "According to these association officials, "confinement is rather well respected" , but "it reinforces social and educational inequalities"in these so-called "priority" districts in the Clermont-Ferrand area..."The inequality of access to digital we already knew, but confinement reinforces these inequalities. We feel that we have to go much further"" (Ref. 7).

Stay at home orders were active in all of France from March 16, 2020 to May 11, 2020 (https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19).
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Other
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
Yes
Link to monitoring/evaluation reports
http://www.logidome.com/rapport-dactivite/
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown.
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Focus Group
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Consultation to association and neighbors (Re.f 2, page 33).
Spaces created for sharing and meeting place (Ref. 1)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
"We took into account the opinions of associations and tenants on the project where the most sensitive issues were decided by vote in the presence of associations and recorded in a report distributed to all the tenants of the residence." (Ref. 2, page 33)
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
Ref. 9
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
rapportActivite2015.pdf (2.81 MB) 2.81 MB
List of references
1. A3-Paysage (n.d). "RESIDENTIALISATION 250 LOGEMENTS QUARTIER SAINT-JACQUES « SUD » A CLERMONT-FERRAND". a3-paysage.eu. (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
2. Logidome (2015). "Rapport d’Activité 2015". Available at: http://www.logidome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/rapportActivite2015.pdf (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
3. Ville de Clermont Ferrand (2016). “Plan d’Aménagement and de Développement Durables”.
4. Clermont Auvergne Métropole (n.d). "Biodiversité". clermontmetropole.eu. (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
5. Available at: https://www.lamontagne.fr/clermont-ferrand-63000/actualites/a-clermont-ferrand-limage-du-quartier-saint-jacques-divise-les-lecteurs_12108723/ (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
6. Available at: https://www.radioscoop.com/infos/clermont-ferrand-le-quartier-saint-jacques-un-modele-a-suivre-contre-l-insecurite_175059 (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
7. https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/puy-de-dome/clermont-ferrand/coronavirus-confinement-education-quartiers-populaires-clermont-ferrand-confrontes-fracture-numerique-1809064.html (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
8. https://www.mieuxvivre-votreargent.fr/immobilier/2017/10/31/immobilier-quartiers-investir-a-clermont-ferrand/ (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
9. Logidome (n.d.). "Notre histoire". Available at: http://www.logidome.com/notre-histoire/ (Accessed: July 22, 2020).
Comments and notes
Additional insights
2020 comments:
In 2016, the South Saint-Jacques District was reported by some to have faced challenges related to rising criminal activity and a declining reputation of the neighbourhood (Ref. 5). In 2019, it was reported that the district had effectively combated rising insecurity with inhabitants saying that "yes, there is less incivility and also less damage" (Ref. 6). The prefect of the district is reported to have attributed the improvement of the situation to "an increase in public services in the district or the urban renewal program". A hospital was also built in the neighbourhood. A call is then made for further green spaces for young people (Ref. 6).

There is not enough evidence to indicate whether this suggests project success or gentrification.

A real estate news website stated that: "But it is changing rapidly, with many projects in progress which should make it attractive in the medium term. Face lifts are also slated for Montferrand, in the east, and Saint-Jacques, in the south. The latter is famous for its "Wall of China", a bar of dilapidated buildings with more than 350 apartments slated for demolition by 2023" (Ref. 8).

Pictures of the NBS
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/sites/default/files/nbs/images/p2-02.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/ilot-p1-pers-1100x478.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/espace-initatives-collective-a3-p.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/plan-esq_st-jacques-sud_a3-paysage-1100x778.jpg
Public Images
launch of studies and consultation South Saint-Jacques District
launch of studies and consultation South Saint-Jacques District
https://www.clermontmetropole.eu/accompagner-aider/la-politique-de-la-ville/renouvellement-urbain/nouveau-programme-de-renouvellement-urbain-2014-2024/
Plan St-Jacques-Sud_passage
South Saint-Jacques District Plan
https://www.a3-paysage.eu/projets-architecte-paysagiste-concepteur/residentialisation-250-logements-quartier-saint-jacques-sud-a-clermont-ferrand/
South Saint-Jacques District view
South Saint-Jacques District view
https://www.a3-paysage.eu/projets-architecte-paysagiste-concepteur/residentialisation-250-logements-quartier-saint-jacques-sud-a-clermont-ferrand/
Collective space
South Saint-Jacques District collective space
https://www.a3-paysage.eu/projets-architecte-paysagiste-concepteur/residentialisation-250-logements-quartier-saint-jacques-sud-a-clermont-ferrand/
South Saint-Jacques District
South Saint-Jacques District
https://www.a3-paysage.eu/projets-architecte-paysagiste-concepteur/residentialisation-250-logements-quartier-saint-jacques-sud-a-clermont-ferrand/