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

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.

• 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