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Marseille to redesign Sébastopol Square through citizen consultation
Marseille is planning to redesign the Sébastopol Square and is inviting citizens to take part in the decision-making process.
Under Mayor of Marseille Benoît Payan, the city stressed the importance of preserving Marseille’s Mediterranean identity while redesigning the square to better serve the residents.
City authorities pointed out that investments in the square have been lacking in recent years, noting that its functionality and appearance have degraded over time.
The square adds to the heat island effect in the summer despite the trees planted there, which drives down traffic at the local market and surrounding stores.
Marseille authorities pointed out that an intervention is needed to improve functionality and appearance of the square, which will improve quality of life in the city and help local businesses to prosper.
The innovative participatory approach will help the city to address the issue while giving residents more say in how to best improve their quality of life.
City authorities stressed that the project is aimed at improving the appearance of the neighbourhood, boosting economic activity, planting more greenery in the city, promoting intergenerational interaction and improving citizen participation.
Marseille administration pointed out that the square has excellent potential due to its location and reiterated that the space must be redesigned to better serve the needs of residents and businesses.
The first phase of citizen consultation will last until mid-December in the form of questionnaires and the second phase, which will start next year, will include workshops where residents will propose ideas and solutions.
