URBAN PLANNING
Re-integrate the old port into the city of Marseille
In 2011, the City Council and the Marseille Provence Métropole published a tender for the redevelopment of the old port of Marseille, in order to make it more accessible for pedestrians, as the main activity of the port now is for sports and leisure activities.
Tags: Ports, Urban Regeneration, Spatial Planning
Challenges addressed
- Clear the docks of visual and architectural barriers
- Make the presence of leisure boats compatible with accessibility
Main objectives
- Open the old port to the city and its citizens
- Give priority to pedestrians over vehicular transport
- Accommodate water activities without interfering the pedestrian flow or views
- Clear the three wharves
- Create a space for open-air events, with a canopy to provide shadow space
Facts
Project type Port redevelopment
Promoter City Council and Marseille Provence Metropole
Start date 2011
End date 2013
Site size 12.000 m2
Budget 45.000.000 Euros
Project description
The old port of Marseille is located in a natural bay in the centre of the city and is Europe’s largest dock area in urban setting. The central districts were built around the port, which was used as main port for goods transportation until the 19th century, when the transportation was moved to the new port.
During the 20th century, the port fell into neglect and around 80% was occupied by unauthorised constructions. This and the fact that priority was given to private vehicles, made the area uncomfortable for pedestrians.
In 2009, the City Council and the Marseille Provence Métropole began the promotion of the renovation of the port. In 2011, they published a tender for the redevelopment, which was structured in two parts.
The first one cleared obstacles and vehicular transport from the 12.000 m2 occupied by the port’s three wharves, which were uniformly paved to create continuity. Now, the central avenue has 60% of its surface for pedestrians. In addition, a great rectangular canopy of 1.000 m2 was built to provide shadow areas for pedestrians, as well as accommodate large-scale open-air events. The second phase aims to improve the public spaces of the neighbourhoods adjacent to the port.
Impact and results
- 25.000 m2 total area
- +3.200 boats
- 12.000 m2 redeveloped space
- 1.000 m2 shadow canopy
- 60% of the surface for pedestrians
- Space cleared from obstacles and vehicular transport
- Walkability and connectivity
- Priority to pedestrians
