1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Grand Park Garonne is part of the The Territorial Energy Climate Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the metropolitan area, adapt to climate change and offer a more sustainable future (Ref. 16).
Part of the project's ambitions is to reinforce Toulouse's ecological corridor by preserving and enhancing the natural and built fluvial heritage of the city. This includes the preservation of restoring natural habitats and species, creating green spaces, planting of trees, enhance its downriver wetlands, and vegetable farming/peri-urban agriculture (Ref. 4, 8, 9, 10, 12). "Four objectives: develop pedestrian and cyclist routes; enhance the natural heritage; strengthen water-related uses develop new spaces of culture and conviviality" (Ref. 1).
Part of the project's ambitions is to reinforce Toulouse's ecological corridor by preserving and enhancing the natural and built fluvial heritage of the city. This includes the preservation of restoring natural habitats and species, creating green spaces, planting of trees, enhance its downriver wetlands, and vegetable farming/peri-urban agriculture (Ref. 4, 8, 9, 10, 12). "Four objectives: develop pedestrian and cyclist routes; enhance the natural heritage; strengthen water-related uses develop new spaces of culture and conviviality" (Ref. 1).
Quantitative targets
- 3,000 hectares of green space to be redeveloped (Ref. 11)
Monitoring indicators defined
-Extent of redeveloped ha green space (Ref. 11)
-Number of trees and shrubs (Ref. 1)
-Number of benches (Ref. 1)
-Number of waste baskets (Ref. 1)
-Number of trees and shrubs (Ref. 1)
-Number of benches (Ref. 1)
-Number of waste baskets (Ref. 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The project began in 2010, (Ref. 2) where Toulouse Métropole appointed TER to guide the project. The quays of Toulouse constituted the first major projects (Ref. 5).The development at the Island of Ramier has been delayed as Toulouse Métropole struggled to generate sufficient finances to begin the project; (Ref. 6) Toulouse Métropole have since launched a dialogue to attract further investment into projects surrounding this area (Ref. 13, 14).
- Vegetation has been reinforced to allow the development of biodiversity and to restore a natural quality to the route. 428 trees and shrubs of local and specific species of the Garonne riparian forest were planted: 58 smooth elms, 54 glutinous alders, 68 white willows, 65 southern ash trees, 60 pedunculate oaks, 113 vanier willows (Ref. 1).
-Furniture has been installed all along the path: 43 benches with wooden seats, promoting contemplation on the river (simple benches, sunbathing against the dike, sitting-standing), 26 baskets for the cleanliness of the site (Ref. 1)
As of October 14, 2020, "With sports facilities, gardens and walking trails, the northern tip of Île du Ramier is gradually coming to life" (Ref. 17). "Two indoor tennis courts and ancillary sports facilities were demolished on the northern tip of Île du Ramier (Pointe de l'Emulation nautique). A new shared sports hall (tennis, kayaking, water skiing) was built on the islet of Banlève, on the site of a former car park. A new pedestrian/cycle bridge has been created to directly link Avenue du Grand Ramier to the banks of the northern tip. Plantations and newly vegetated areas have been created (39 tall trees, 100 baliveaux to reinforce the riparian forest, increase of 4,400 m² of vegetated areas). New uses will be integrated into public spaces: landscaped and educational vegetable garden, bowling alley, belvederes to enhance the views of the river" (Ref. 17). "The Saget dike wall of Cours Dillon has also been restored. The structure extends from Pont Saint-Michel to Pont-Neuf. It protects the city from the floods of the Garonne" (Ref. 1).
- Vegetation has been reinforced to allow the development of biodiversity and to restore a natural quality to the route. 428 trees and shrubs of local and specific species of the Garonne riparian forest were planted: 58 smooth elms, 54 glutinous alders, 68 white willows, 65 southern ash trees, 60 pedunculate oaks, 113 vanier willows (Ref. 1).
-Furniture has been installed all along the path: 43 benches with wooden seats, promoting contemplation on the river (simple benches, sunbathing against the dike, sitting-standing), 26 baskets for the cleanliness of the site (Ref. 1)
As of October 14, 2020, "With sports facilities, gardens and walking trails, the northern tip of Île du Ramier is gradually coming to life" (Ref. 17). "Two indoor tennis courts and ancillary sports facilities were demolished on the northern tip of Île du Ramier (Pointe de l'Emulation nautique). A new shared sports hall (tennis, kayaking, water skiing) was built on the islet of Banlève, on the site of a former car park. A new pedestrian/cycle bridge has been created to directly link Avenue du Grand Ramier to the banks of the northern tip. Plantations and newly vegetated areas have been created (39 tall trees, 100 baliveaux to reinforce the riparian forest, increase of 4,400 m² of vegetated areas). New uses will be integrated into public spaces: landscaped and educational vegetable garden, bowling alley, belvederes to enhance the views of the river" (Ref. 17). "The Saget dike wall of Cours Dillon has also been restored. The structure extends from Pont Saint-Michel to Pont-Neuf. It protects the city from the floods of the Garonne" (Ref. 1).
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The Grand Park Garonne project produces a citywide ecological corridor by preserving and enhancing the natural and built fluvial heritage of the city. This includes the preservation of restoring natural habitats and species, creating green spaces, planting of trees, enhance its downriver wetlands, and vegetable farming/peri-urban agriculture (Ref. 4, 8, 9, 10, 12).
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The ideas surrounding the Island of Ramier promote the area's development fitted as an equivalent to New York Manhatten's "Central Park"; (Ref. 14) a park renowned for its role in adapting the city to climate change and reducing urban island heating effects (Ref. 15).
Replicability/Transferability
