Reims' green belt, known as the “Coulée Verte” is a stretch of non built-up land along the River Vesle and the canal. It consists of single plot of 650 hectares of land that offers enormous urban, landscaping and environmental potential. It is an exceptional feature of the Reims conurbation with its possibilities for galvanising city life around new leisure facilities.
The “Coulée Verte” is a varied and mixed but unbroken area. It passes through the city from northwest to southeast. Stretching for 650 hectares, it divides naturally into three distinct sections that are destined for appropriate development - 1. To the northwest, in an area situated in the districts of Tinqueux and Saint Brice and another in La Neuvillette. 2. In the centre, between the Reims centre and Saint Remi motorway interchanges. 3. To the east, on land belonging to Reims and Cormontreuil. It already stands out as a real estate reality. 95% of it consists of public green areas and sporting areas (currently 45 hectares), private use (family gardens), the canal, the A4 motorway and the Vesle river. 5% is devoted to business use, housing or public infrastructures.
Key :
A Northwest sector
B Central sector
C Eastern sector
Developer
Reims Metropole
Architects
Becard and Palay
Stand back and consider the potential offered by the “rediscovery” of the land in this green belt area. This north-south link needs to be preserved and used as a leisure area but, above all, it is an important urban redevelopment tool. The opening provided by this stretch of land is a lucky break in terms of town planning, which otherwise seemed somewhat hemmed in. Redevelopment plans for the area are numerous…and ambitious.
The canal joins up the city with its rural areas and as such is an important factor for the two industrial zones situated to the north and south of Reims. This function will be retained. Nevertheless the canal and the motorway create a break in the landscape that is difficult to fill. Footbridges are therefore planned across the canal and motorway serving surrounding quarters of the city. Developing the river and canal banks will enhance the whole appearance.
Improving the living environment involves putting in leisure areas by increasing the area of green parks open to the public. Suggestions will be entertained that succeed in maintaining an economical and ecological balance between the business areas (market gardening and flower growing) and the areas used for “open air” activities. This living environment dimension will be supported by the presence of large cultural and sporting facilities (existing and future) as well as the development of easily accessible green areas.
The project will only succeed if urban development is undertaken in a coherent fashion in terms of traffic, land usage and appearance. Pathways for pedestrians and cyclists need to be put in to link up the various areas and create new walks and circuits. Large-scale public infrastructures will complete the development of this leisure area.
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