ANOTHER KIND OF CONSTRUCTION

The construction of new, energy-efficient or high energy performance housing, offices, buildings and public facilities is growing exponentially. Conscious of the environmental issues at hand and the expectations of users and communities, developers are going green.

Another Kind GREEN METROPOLE

The construction and public works sector represents 43% of France’s energy consumption and 23% of greenhouse gas emissions (according to figures provided by the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition). The sector therefore has a central role to play in environmental issues.

THE RISE OF ECO-DISTRICTS

Today, new-build construction represents 50% of the construction sector's activity in the Île-de-France region. Suffice to say that this presents a major challenge in terms of balancing quality and environmental impact. This ecological imperative is paired with an increasingly strong desire among users for sustainable, nature-oriented housing that incorporates the outdoor environment.

The combination of these two factors has led to the emergence of eco-districts, which have practically become the norm when it comes to the construction of new housing in the Île-de-France region.

Eco-districts are made up of 3- to 5-story buildings, incorporated into an already existing town or city. They must promote sustainable resource management and contribute to the economic growth of the local area.

The construction of an eco-district offers a number of advantages when it comes to urban planning: it helps to combat urban sprawl, promotes soft transport (creating plenty of pedestrianised areas and cycle paths) and, more often than not, can throw

a lifeline to cities in decline.

Covid played a crucial role in the emergence of these districts. Local authorities understand that they must provide inhabitants with a better living environment, with access to local shops and services and real green spaces.

These have now become essential and innovative tools for dealing with the increasing urbanisation of the Île-de- France region. This is all must be

provided while considering all issues linked to climate change.

This was the case for the eco-district of l’Île de la Marne in Noisy-le-Grand

(93). Labelled “EcoQuartier Etape 2” by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition,

the district stands out thanks to its staunch environmental commitment: exemplary energy performance for housing, rainwater management, waste recovery, wooden construction, use of geothermal heating, and the biodiversity preservation and enrichment.

For several years, the demand for ecological and high energy performance buildings has grown continuously. This is due to an increasing collective awareness among all players: inhabitants, local authorities, and companies. Current trends are pushing operators to go even further than the legal obligations set by the State. Everyone wants to stand out from the competition by offering innovative and increasingly

greener solutions. The energy crisis has made this trend even more pronounced.

Eco-districts offer users several financial advantages. By opting for renewable energy, they reduce energy consumption and therefore allow users to save on their bills. For construction companies, they are required to meet the legal requirements in terms of heating and contribute, within their capacity, to the decentralisation of energy production - a major issue in the current international context.

THE ZERO NET ARTIFICIALISATION OBJECTIVE (ZNA)

The incorporation of sustainable development in new construction projects must also factor in their impact on soil degradation. The Zero Net Artificialisation objective consists in keeping urban sprawl and soil artificialisation to a minimum by limiting construction on natural or farming land and offsetting urbanisation by leaving more space for nature in the urban environment. The French government has set the Zero Net Artificialisation objective for 2050. This means that all man-made surfaces must be offset.

The medium-term objective for 2030 is to reduce the national rate of soil artificialisation and construction within natural, farming and forest environments by 50%.

Today, 9% of France’s total surface area is artificially covered. This represents

between 25,000 and 30,000 hectares artificially covered every year, the equivalent of one tennis court every minute. We are therefore facing a real issue of overconsumption of natural environments. This phenomenon actively contributes to the deterioration of biodiversity by destroying natural habitats. Furthermore,

the artificialisation of soils reduces the country’s farming capacity and therefore

its food supply. And, of course, it contributes to global warming. In light of the current climate crisis, this type of urban development model is

no longer viable.

Naturally, it is not a question of rebuilding, but instead building “better”, offsetting every piece of artificialised land.

Some companies have already exceeded the targets set by the French government. For example, Vinci Immobilier has committed to achieving zero net artificialisation by 2030. Once again, there is a real desire among property companies to implement an

environmental strategy, to stand out from the competition and plan ahead.

Local authorities are also starting to pay more attention to this problem.

For example, the town of Tremblay-en- France (93) is encouraging developers to construct buildings of at least two storeys in its AéroliansParis joint development

zone in order to combat urban sprawl and soil artificialisation. In the same spirit, Tremblay-en-France is encouraging new construction projects on already artificialised land, as seen in its school construction project on a former stadium site.

REDEVELOPING BROWNFIELD SITES

Just like Tremblay, many towns are choosing to redevelop unused and outdated facilities and brownfield sites. On top of combating soil artificialisation, these redevelopment projects allow for the creation of urban development projects, breathing new life into abandoned sites and improving the local area’s image.

Brownfield sites are often empty urban spaces located at the centre or in the immediate surroundings of an urban community. They therefore represent an undeniable opportunity for local development. Additionally, they guarantee the acquisition of land in the city, where opportunities for new building projects are often

lacking. Converting an already existing construction has the potential to utterly transform an area and boost the local economy.

There are currently many brownfield sites in the Île-de-France region and this number is only set to increase, given the current economic crisis.

Redeveloping this land is therefore a primary concern