The Great Aygalades Park

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Marseille (FUA)

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

Le Grand Parc des Aygalades

Short description of the intervention

The Grand Parc des Aygalades project involves the creation of a 14-hectare metropolitan park (connecting Aygalades Park with Bougainville Park and François Billoux Park) that will connect the northern neighbourhoods of Marseille to the port located further south (Ref 1). This project is part of the green conversion of Marseille's northern districts, historically among the most disadvantaged areas in France (Ref 1). The Grand Parc des Aygalades project will enhance the city's greenery, reduce flood risks, create cool zones, restore and develop biodiversity, and significantly improve residents' quality of life and air quality (Ref 1, Ref 2). The environmental and social challenges include reconnecting the populations of these neighborhoods to green spaces, services, education, sports opportunities (Ref 2).
The park project includes redesigning urban infrastructure to improve rainwater absorption and reduce flood risks, addressing the issue of impermeable and artificialized soils that exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall (Ref 1). It also involves renaturing a 17-kilometre-long stream currently buried under railway tracks, improving flood management and rainwater drainage (Ref 1, Ref 4). The project will also convert a heavily degraded former industrial site, requiring the rehabilitation of polluted soils (Ref 1). Additionally, creating green corridors aims to mitigate the heat island effect, particularly severe in these northern districts due to the high concentration of buildings and concrete surfaces, and the lack of green spaces. Public participation will be encouraged through information meetings, thematic workshops, and an online platform for submitting ideas and feedback (Ref 4).

Website of the intervention

https://www.euromediterranee.fr/projets/le-parc-du-ruisseau-des-aygalades

Principal problems

Climate-Related Hazards

Urban flooding (stormwater)

Heat stress & Extreme temperatures

Environmental Degradation

Biodiversity loss

Soil degradation and loss

Air pollution

Land use and Socio-economic change

Limited economic opportunities and local livelihoods

Unequal availability and access to public green spaces

Health, Well-being and Social cohesion

Inadequate access to recreational opportunities

Disconnection from nature

Social fragmentation and isolation

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)

Ecosystem

Urban or built environment

Address

13000 Marseille
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 (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

1) Avis de la Mission Régionale d’Autorité environnementale de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur sur le parc des Aygalades (Ref 5, page 5))
https://www.bouches-du-rhone.gouv.fr/content/download/33190/191268/file/Avis-AE%2015-05-19.pdf accessed on 04/09/2024
2) Google Maps
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3273831,5.3679708,2029m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D accessed on 04/09/2024

Total area

200000.00m²

Area description

Urban (main city)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond)

Industrial

Previous derelict area

Public Greenspace Area

Vacant or abandoned land

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2018

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2023

End date of the intervention

2028

Present stage of the intervention

Ongoing

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

1) Revegetation and green space creation, addressing the severe deficit in parks, gardens, and natural areas in the northern neighbourhoods. (Ref 1)
2) To improve the absorption of rainwater and reduce the risks of flooding, particularly by addressing soil impermeability (Ref 1)
3) To restore and enhance biodiversity within the city (Ref 1)
4) To enhance the living conditions in the northern neighbourhoods (Ref 1)
5) To create cool zones through blue and green areas to cool down the temperature (Ref 1)
6) To improve air quality (Ref 1)
7) To reconnect the populations of these districts with green spaces, services, education, and sports opportunities (Ref 2)

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)

Climate change adaptation

Environmental quality

Air quality improvement

Soil quality improvement

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Regeneration, land-use and urban development

Conversion of former industrial areas

Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development

Water management (SDG 6)

Flood protection

Stormwater and rainfall management and storage

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Improving physical health

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Social justice and equity

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect

Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

Restore rivers and other fresh water bodies to reduce flood or drought risk

What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Ecosystem-focused

What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems

Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

Restore ecological connectivity

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

1) Creation of a green corridor along three parks, including tree planting, meadows and landscaping on a total surface of 20 ha (Ref 1)
2) Stream renaturation over 17-kilometer-long stream, including bringing it back to the surface where it was previously buried under railway tracks (Ref 1)
3) Landscape design and techniques for lowering the soil impermeability coefficient to improve rainwater absorption and reduce flood risks, making at least 60% of the total surface area permeable, compared with just 5% today (Ref 1)
3) Rehabilitation of polluted soils of a former industrial site (Ref 1)
4) Involving the public in the project through information meetings, thematic and educational workshops, and a digital platform for submitting ideas and feedback. (Ref 4)

Type of NBS project

Creation of new green areas

Creation of green corridors (including connectivity between urban and rural ecosystems)

Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests

Maintenance and management of urban nature

Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks)

Creation of semi-natural blue areas

Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens)

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas

River rehabilitation/ restoration

Transformation of previously derelict areas

Post-industrial site regeneration

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Blue infrastructure

Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries

Riverbank/Lakeside greens

Green areas for water management

Sustainable urban drainage systems

Parks and urban forests

Large urban parks or forests

Green corridors and green belts

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Playgrounds

Sports areas and equipment

Cultural (museum, concert areas)

Design elements for well-being

Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)

Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)

Air quality regulation

Flood regulation

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Scale

Spatial scale

Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

Demographics in Marseille 14th district in 2021 (Ref 5) :
- population : 59 948
- median income: 15 420 euros
- poverty rate : 42%
Demographics in Marseille 15th district in 2021 (Ref 6):
- population: 79 656
- median income: 14 890 euros
- poverty rate: 44%
Demographics in Marseille 3rd district in 2021 (Ref 7) :
- population : 53 115
- median income: 13 530 euros
- poverty rate: 52%

- ethnicity: the statistics national institute (INSEE) in France does not produce ethnic statistics, as collecting data on race or ethnicity is prohibited by French law under the Loi informatique et libertés of 1978.

Socio-economic profile of the area

Low-income

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Yes

Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities

Low-income neighborhoods

Urban heat islands

Communities near industrial areas

Communities located in floodplains

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Marginalized groups

Specify primary beneficiaries

- the residents of the northern neihborhoods (Ref 1)

Marginalized groups

Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)

Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups

- "improving quality of life of the residents" of neighborhoods among "France's most disadvantaged neighborhoods for decades." (Ref 1)
- to open up the neighborhoods: "geographic isolation has been a major obstacle. " (Ref 1) "to help “stitch” the northern neighbourhoods back together with the city center" (Ref 2)

Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities

Targeted outreach and engagement efforts with vulnerable or marginalized communities to understand concerns or identify risks

Implementation of specific programs to address the needs of these communities

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Native plant vegetation

Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)

City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Government-led

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

- Euroméditerranée (local public agency) : lead the project (Ref 2)
- The city of Marseille: responsible for approving and facilitating the project (Ref 1)
- Marseille’s Metropolitan Authority: overseeing the integration of the park into the broader metropolitan area
- Mission Régionale d’Autorité environnementale de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Regional agency): consultation and approval
- West 8 Urban Design & Landscape architecture (Rotterdam), D’ici là (Paris) et Michel Desvignes Paysagistes (Paris) (private companies): landscape companies selected to implement the project
- residents and local communities: participating in public consultations (Ref 5)

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

Regional government

Public sector institution

Citizens or community group

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Decision-making among different alternative plans

Feedback during project implementation (e.g. review sessions)

Level of citizen and community engagement

Moderate

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Dissemination of information and education

Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Railway

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a 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"

The green redevelopment of Marseille's northern districts named Euromed 2: "The green redevelopment of Marseille's northern districts is part of a major urban renewal plan begun in the city in 1995, scheduled for completion by 2030." (Ref 1)

Relevant strategy or plan

Urban redevelopment plan

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Unknown

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

Unknown

Governace and decison-making instruments

Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups)

Barriers

"Among the many constraints inherent to the project are the need to cross the metro infrastructure and the currently canalized creek within a concrete framework, the need to rehabilitate polluted soils, and to manage variations in ground level from one end of the site to the other." (Ref 1)

Financing

Total cost

More than €4,000,000

Please specify total cost (EUR)

36 000 000 euros (Ref 2)

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Co-finance for NBS

Unknown

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Risk reduction model

Green densification model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Lowered local temperature

Expected lowered local temperature

Prevent the frequency and/or intensity of heatwaves

Expected prevent the frequency and/or intensity of heatwaves

Environmental quality

Improved air quality

Expected improved air quality

Improved soil quality

Expected improved soil quality

Water management and blue areas

Increased protection against flooding

Expected increased protection against flooding

Improved stormwater management

Expected improved stormwater management

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Expected increased green space area

Increased conversion of degraded land or soil

Expected increased conversion of degraded land or soil

Reduced biodiversity loss

Expected reduced biodiversity loss

Increased number of species present

Expected increased number of species present

Restoration of derelict areas

Expected restoration of derelict areas

Description of environmental benefits

-Lowered local temperature: "the northern districts of Paris are particularly affected by the heat island phenomenon", "A natural continuum of cool islands, this immense green and blue space will help reduce temperatures as it passes through the heart of the neighborhoods." (ref 1)
-Prevent the frequency and/or intensity of heatwaves: "In recent years, periods of heatwave and drought have intensified significantly across the country, particularly in the south and around Marseille, with a marked increase in 2022 and temperature peaks of between 35 and 40°C. A situation that is becoming increasingly difficult to bear for residents living in the heart of these heat islands.", "A natural continuum of cool islands, this immense green and blue space will help reduce temperatures as it passes through the heart of the neighborhoods." (Ref 1)
-Improved air quality: "[...] will also form a “green and blue network” that will help reduce heat islands in summer, improve air quality and restore biodiversity" (Ref 4)
-Improved soil quality: "the need to rehabilitate polluted soils", "the risk of flooding is high due to the presence of soils that are sometimes entirely impermeable and artificial." (Ref 1)
-Improved stormwater management: "This complete waterproofing of the soil creates a major problem during heavy rainfall, as water cannot infiltrate the soil naturally." " these two key aspects of the project [soil and stream renaturation], [...] will ultimately help to improve water infiltration and significantly reduce the risk of flooding."(Ref 1)
-Increased green space area: "The green corridor will include not only the 17-kilometre-long creek, but also numerous green spaces, trees, lawns, meadows, gardens and other natural landscaping features." (Ref 1), "develop the 20 hectares dedicated to the project" (ref 5)
-Increased conversion of degraded land or soil: "a heavily degraded former industrial site", "the need to rehabilitate polluted soils" (Ref 1)
-Reduced biodiversity loss: "Finally, the creation of a one-hectare meadow in the park promotes biodiversity." " restoring and developing biodiversity" (Ref 1)
-Increased number of species present: " "The green corridor will include not only the 17-kilometre-long creek, but also numerous green spaces, trees, lawns, meadows, gardens and other natural landscaping features." (Ref 1)
-Restoration of derelict areas: "a heavily degraded former industrial site", "the need to rehabilitate polluted soils" (Ref 1)

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced

unknown

Green space area created (in ha)

Reduction in air pollution levels (e.g., particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide) (µg/m³)

unknown

Area of river/lake or riparian area restored (in ha)

17 km

Water retention capacity (m³ or %)

unknown

Volume of stormwater treated (m³)

unknown

Area of water management infrastructure (e.g. SUDs, rain gardens) (m2)

unknown

Air cooling (°C)

unknown

Economic impacts

Stimulate development in deprived areas

Expected stimulate development in deprived areas

Description of economic benefits

- Stimulate development in deprived areas: "Focused on sustainability and innovation, this project aims to revitalize neighborhoods by integrating urban renewal, economic and social development practices." "France's most disadvantaged neighborhoods for decades." (Ref 1)

Economic impact indicators

Number of jobs created (e.g. park maintenance, landscaping, ecotourism)

unknown

Increase in property values or real estate prices in neighborhoods with improved access to green spaces & natural amenities (%)

unknown

Social and cultural impact indicators

Surface area of accessible green spaces (in ha)

Total area of recreational green space created or restored (in ha)

unknown

Number of participants in outdoor activities or exercise programs in green spaces

unknown

Description of social and cultural benefits

-Improved liveability: " the green redevelopment of Marseille's northern neighborhoods will, on the one hand, green up the city's lack of green spaces, reduce the risk of flooding, create islands of coolness, restore and develop biodiversity, and, on the other, significantly improve quality of life for residents!" (Ref 1)
-Improved access to urban green space: "this dense urban area is characterized by a major lack of green spaces, parks, gardens, squares and accessible natural areas.", " to meet the significant needs of residents in these neighborhoods in terms of [...] green spaces, the supply of which is particularly unbalanced compared to the south of the city." (Ref 2)
-Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "As part of the preparation of this transformative project for northern Marseilles, Euroméditerranée and its partners are keen to involve the public (local residents, inhabitants, sports, environmental and cultural associations) at every stage of the design process." (Ref 4)
-Reduced risk of heatstroke and/or dehydration: "temperature peaks between 35 and 40°C. A situation that is becoming increasingly difficult to bear for residents living in the heart of these heat islands." "A natural continuum of cool islands, this immense green and blue lung will help reduce temperatures as it passes through the heart of the neighborhoods." (Ref 1)
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "On the sports front, a number of areas have also been created. These include several ping-pong and games tables, a street workout and fitness trail, a skateboard park and a basketball court." (Ref 1)
-Improved physical health: "reducing the risk of flooding", "A natural continuum of cool islands, this immense green and blue lung will help reduce temperatures as it passes through the heart of the neighborhoods." (Ref 1)
-Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief: "Finally, the creation of a one-hectare meadow in the park promotes biodiversity, purifies the air and offers an aesthetic and relaxing space" (Ref 1)
-Improvement in people’s connection to nature: "The first objective of the green reconversion of Marseille's northern districts is related to its lack of nature and vegetation." (Ref 1)
-Improved community safety to climate-related hazards: "reducing the risk of flooding","temperature peaks between 35 and 40°C. A situation that is becoming increasingly difficult to bear for residents living in the heart of these heat islands." (Ref 1)

Mental health benefits

Restoration and relaxation

Increased feelings of nature connection

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Type of indicators

Output indicators

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

unknown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Community forums for information sharing and encouraging the participation of marginalized groups

Clear communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback, raise concerns, and ask questions about the project

Justice

Community satisfaction

Unknown

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

unknown

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

Unknown

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Yes

Goal setting and impacts delivery

Yes, from the planning phase the project aimed to address issues in these three key priority areas and it also delivered benefits across these three areas.

Reaching original project goals

Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

C. Unknown

Transformative capacity

Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)

Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)

Magnitude of change

Transformative: (deep) by focusing on and substantially changing structures, including institutional ones (norms and rules).

Application of lessons learned

Unknown

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

Id Verde (2023). Zoom sur la reconversion verte des quartiers nord de Marseille. Marseille: Id Verde, p. 4-9 Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Euroméditérannée (n.d.). Le parc du ruisseau des Aygalades. Marseille: Euroméditérannée, p. 1-2 Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Mission Régionale d’Autorité environnementale de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (2018). Avis de la Mission Régionale d’Autorité environnementale de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur sur le parc des Aygalades -. Marseille: Mission Régionale d’Autorité environnementale de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur , p. 1-14 Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Made in Marseille (2023). Top départ le 3 octobre pour la concertation sur le futur grand parc du ruisseau des Aygalades. Marseille: Made in Marseille, p. 1-5 Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Rampal-Guiducci, J. (2023). Parc des Aygalades : Euroméditerranée retient trois groupements de paysagistes. Marseille: Gomet, p. 1-2 Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Download];

Comments and notes

Additional insights

While the average green space per inhabitant in France is 50 m², Marseille residents have only 7 m² per person (Ref 1).

Public Images

Plan de situation de l’opération Euromed II – source étude d’impact

Ref. 5