More ambitious greening plans and new construction methods in Bordeaux

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The Mayor of Bordeaux Pierre Hurmic, newly elected environmentalist, wants to make an impact on housing. “In the area of housing, I want to be a regulatory mayor,” said mayor Hurmic. “After twenty years of liberal policy, there is a gap between the prices of homes on sale, which have jumped, and the residents’ financial resources”, summarizes Bernard-Louis Blanc, the deputy in charge of resilient town planning.

The developers are of a different opinion. “The pressure on prices is linked to a lack of construction and there are still very important needs. We are worried to hear about decrease of constructions”, insists Arnaud Roussel-Prouvost, president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Federation of developers.

Adapt housing to climate change

The new deputy intends to influence the last two major real estate programs still in progress on the right bank of the Garonne: Brazza and Bastide Niel. “We want to discuss again and ask for changes in three areas: the construction system, the landscaping plan, and the adoption of new materials, particularly wood rather than all-concrete,” he explains.

The elected representative also leads discussions with all the developers. The stated objective: to promote wood construction and adapt housing to climate change with, for example, through apartments. With the will, too, to increase the share of social housing to 50% in the new programs. The developers claim to be able to provide housing for 3,000 euros per square meter. “I am skeptical, and I will ask for commitments in terms of quality,” insists Bernard-Louis Blanc.

Strong debates could also take place within Bordeaux-Euratlantique, the operation of national interest which is reshaping the south of the city around the Saint-Jean station and of which Pierre Hurmic is now president. If he wants more green spaces, he praises the efforts to promote local wood construction and the rehabilitation of polluted wastelands.

On the other hand, he still admits to being “fiercely opposed” to the “Rue bordelaise” program, an urban project of 500 million euros, led by Apsys, associating housing, hotels, offices, and many shops. “The project is not explained thoroughly and we will present it in detail. The objective is not to fall into an arm wrestling because I remain convinced that the State will oppose neglect which would involve significant penalties”, explains Stéphan de Faÿ, the general manager of the EPA Bordeaux-Euratlantique.

source: Les Echos