EFC’s Funders’ Forum on Sustainable Cities site visit to ZAC Pajol Éco-Quartier

The Funders’ Forum on Sustainable Cities (FFSC) will host a site visit to the ZAC Pajol Éco-Quartier, Paris on the 24th May following the end of the EFC AGA and Conference.

ZAC Pajol is an ecological development zone located in the northeast of Paris, bordered by many important railways that were developed throughout the 19th century, and this history is still central to the site. The district fell into serious disrepair and decline during the 20th century and was considered wasteland, to the point that the area was earmarked for demolition. However after pressure from local citizens the Deputy Major decided to completely rethink the project.

This new rehabilitation initiative has become a stunning example of a successful city redevelopment project and has managed to incorporate amenities such as a youth hostel, library, public gardens and various other spaces such as artistic workspaces, urban farming, and workspaces for local entrepreneurs. The project has achieved this while also preserving key elements of the 19th century industrial heritage such as the architecture and buildings, while maintaining a small ecological footprint.

The FFSC site visit will provide participants with the opportunity to explore this initiative in detail, speak to both officials from the municipality and the developers, and find out about the campaign from the local community leaders who fought to maintain their input in the development. Participants will also get a chance to tour the facilities and speak to local users about both the development process and the opportunities that the initiative has brought to the district.

Participants will depart from the Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Centre following the EFC AGA and Conference.

To register for this event, please contact Jennifer Fitzsimons.

Image courtesy of Lionel Allorge — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50654121