The workshop, organised by the association Les Ateliers Internationaux de Maîtrise d’Œuvre Urbaine de Cergy-Pontoise, was organised at the request of the Paris La Défense Public Establishment and in partnership with the City of Courbevoie, the Hauts-de-Seine Departmental Council, and private partners. It is part of a long-term collaborative initiative launched in 2024. This initiative aims to address the future development of the Saisons District and the larger Paris La Défense area.
The focus of the immersive, five-day workshop was the Saisons District, located between La Défense and Courbevoie. As Europe’s largest business district and the fourth most attractive in the world, La Défense, situated to the northwest of Paris, has a rich history. Created in the post-World War II era to alleviate congestion in Paris and meet growing office demands, La Défense is now facing challenges related to ecology, climate adaptation, and the obsolescence of existing buildings. The real estate crisis is exacerbated by the oversupply of office space, driven in part by the rise of remote work and shifting work habits.
The district is unique, organised around an artificial slab 13 meters above ground level, which separates all transportation modes. The upper-level hosts pedestrian traffic, building entrances, and public spaces, while support functions like public transport stations, deliveries, and infrastructure are below. With 65 high-rise towers, La Défense stands out in Paris’s urban landscape.
The workshop’s focus is the Saisons District, strategically located at the gateway to La Défense from Courbevoie, along the historic Paris axis near the Seine River. This precinct, having undergone several transformations over the years, is seeking a new direction to revitalise the area and make the most of its prime location. The site benefits from excellent transport connections, including buses, trams, rail, and the metro.
Still, due to the 13-meter elevation change and the complex surrounding road network, it remains disconnected from its surroundings. It is a mixed-use district with a small number of residential, commercial, and retail spaces. Due to its isolation from its surrounding context, it is struggling with declining population maintenance, a decline in retail and activation of the public environment, and an increase in safety issues.
This workshop sought to explore strategies for revitalising the Saisons District, considering the area’s rich history, unique challenges, and the pressing need for sustainable and inclusive development.
The proposal development during the workshop responded mainly to the following five key questions:
- How can the Saisons District be valued and leveraged amidst ecological and economic crises, contributing to the regeneration of Paris La Défense and its surrounding area?
- How can the district become a welcoming gateway to the city, a showcase for the business district, and a more pleasant living area for residents and users?
- How can the regeneration reintegrate the Saisons District into its natural environment while respecting the existing brutalist architecture?
- How can urban design and high-density developments in the district adapt to the ecological crisis and resource constraints?
- What common spaces can be created to redefine the district’s identity and foster a sense of community?
The 5-day collaborative workshop was organised around the following process:
1-day full site visit exploring the Saisons district with exchanges with local stakeholders and partners. Teams were selected and announced at the end of the day.
The following three days were spent working together in a team of five, made up of various disciplines and nationalities, to devise solutions to the issues presented and compile them into a proposal document and presentation.
On the final day, proposals were presented to esteemed decision-makers, including local officials and members of Les Ateliers, framing a vision for a more connected and vibrant Saisons District. Ashleigh’s experience throughout the workshop was both enlightening and transformative, showcasing the impact of collaborative placemaking. The workshop emphasised the importance of emotional and social connectivity in breathing new life into urban settings – lessons that extend beyond Paris to cities experiencing similar challenges.
This workshop not only provided innovative solutions for the Saisons District but also left participants with invaluable insights applicable to their local contexts. The exchange of ideas and camaraderie among a multicultural group underscored the potential of placing community needs at the forefront of urban revitalisation efforts.
Ultimately, the collaborative atmosphere and shared commitment to sustainable development fortified the belief that urban spaces can indeed be transformed into thriving, inclusive environments for all through collective intelligence and creativity.
