In Saint-Ouen, the mayor of the city signed a somewhat special “marriage contract”. Who is the bride? The ecological and renovated city. On Monday, February 13, a Housing Quality and Sustainable City Charter was signed at the town hall of Saint-Ouen.
“The objective of this charter is precisely, like a marriage contract, which binds us and which puts us in a configuration, where we are aligned for the next five or ten years, it is to improve people’s lives “, explains Karime Bouamrane, the mayor of the city. The town hall team has set itself the task of rebuilding the old districts of Saint-Ouen, relocating its inhabitants to new buildings and increasing the number of social housing units. According to Deputy Mayor Adel Ziane, around 40 families have been relocated since July 2022. Opposition municipal councilors did not comment on the town hall’s new project.
Relocations have started
“We benefited from two constructions, the ZAC of the Olympic and Paralympic Village, located 100 m from the old quarter”. One of the priorities is to tell the inhabitants of Saint-Ouen that their buildings will be demolished, but that they will be relocated 100 m away in new housing,” said Adel Ziane. In two or three years, the town hall plans to rehouse 450 people, more than 1,400 homes will be renovated from next year in Cordon and Old Saint-Ouen. The promoter’s charter provides for the construction of 25-30% social housing in real estate programs to go from nine thousand to twelve thousand housing units.
Throughout the relocation process, residents are supported by Mous (urban and social project management). Nicole is now settled in her new apartment on rue du Docteur-Bauer. “I was very well accompanied to make my file, I was quickly informed that he had an empty apartment for me, I visited it in three weeks. After my request went to committee, I got the agreement in two weeks,” she says.
The Olympic Village still under construction
Another objective of the city’s elected officials is to preserve its architectural identity and social cohesion, despite the differences in income of its inhabitants. “There will not be two, three or four towns in Saint-Ouen, but only one”, announced the mayor.
Among the accommodations soon to be available is the Athletes’ and Para Athletes’ Village, which is under construction. In summer 2024, it will host more than 2,500 athletes as part of the Olympic Games. After the end of the Olympic Games, the Village apartments will be allocated to the inhabitants of Saint-Ouen. Considered the largest single-site construction site in France, it brought together 6,000 construction workers with the aim of meeting the dual challenge of economic recovery and environmental performance. The promoters and planners who launched the project define the project as “a showcase of French know-how in eco-design”.
To reinforce the presence of nature in the city, outdoor spaces and roofs will be planted. The alternative and frugal management of rainwater will thus be an integral part of the landscape project. It will be in the open air and will allow local infiltration to contribute to the quality of the landscape and the cooling of the site in order to cope with the high temperatures.
The mayor of Saint-Ouen is convinced that it is important to have this pact of trust. “If we work together, we have a common vision which is the following, shared progress. We are talking about dignity, respect, identity specific to our territory”. Contacted, the opposition did not wish to comment on the signing of this charter.