A Green Concorde
Paris, France
Description: Planted square
Location: Concorde Square, Paris, France
Area: 7.5 ha
Status: Research project by Djao-Rakitine Studio
Period: 2018
Civil engineers: OGI
Djao-Rakitine Team: Irène Djao-Rakitine, Amélia Chevée
Reinforcing historic symmetry through Arc de Triomphe-Louvre and Madeleine-Assemblée Nationale axis.
A green Concorde would allow a square accessible and welcoming to all in the centre of Paris.
Thermographic map of the square in summer time (existing condition). Maximum temperature (in red): 38°C, Minimum temperature (in blue): 15°C. Source: car to.apur.org
Meaning of “Concorde” in French:
Agreement and peace between people.
Our proposal suggests redeveloping the square as a welcoming public square accessible to all and responding to the new needs and aspirations of Parisian people. Being Paris’s most famous square, “la Concorde” seems nowadays outdated and underused. It even seems to represent some of the most undesirable aspects of cities: air and noise pollution, heavy car traffic, predominance of cars and paved waterproof surfaces.
The project aims at creating a “Concorde Végétale”, a new green square for Paris (as it used to be in the mid-19th century). The proposal also includes a clear visual and physical connection between the Champs Élysées gardens and the Tuileries Garden, and reinforces the historic symmetry of the square in relation to Arc de Triomphe-Louvre and Madeleine-Assemblée Nationale axis.
Additionally, the proposal incorporates a fully pedestrian (and cyclists) traffic light cycle to support continuous flow of movement across the square.
Advantages of lawn:
– reduces air temperature during summer time;
– enhances biodiversity;
– greatly improves run-off absorption;
– improves air quality; and,
– absorbes and reduces noise pollution.
All images are © Djao-Rakitine, unless otherwise stated.
