Security, opening up, public facilities, and local figures: The project led by Christian Estrosi for the Moulins district is set to be long-lasting while showcasing new priorities. With fifteen years of urban renewal, the Mayor of Nice aims to meet the residents’ expectations and permanently change the neighborhood’s image.
“I have always fought for the Moulins.” This sentence, Christian Estrosi claims as a guiding principle of his municipal action. Since 2008, the district has been at the heart of ambitious public policies, launching a first Urban Renewal Program costing nearly 219 million euros. The objective at the time was clear: to profoundly transform a neighborhood long rooted and marked by its old housing stock. This first program facilitated the rehousing of more than 450 tenants, the demolition of hundreds of obsolete dwellings, the rehabilitation of over 1,200 homes, and the construction of new buildings combining social housing and affordable ownership. Public spaces have also been redesigned, reshaping the face of the Moulins and opening new urban perspectives. In 2021, the municipality aimed to go further by launching the New Urban Renewal Project. Over 90 million euros additionally have been committed to continue transforming the neighborhood. New roadways, pedestrian lanes, green spaces, renovated housing, and real estate projects integrating ground-floor activities reflect a desire to create a more readable, open, and vibrant neighborhood. These projects have also been designed as levers for professional integration. On some buildings, several thousand hours of integration work have been completed, exceeding initial targets. For Christian Estrosi, urban renewal must also be “a tool for employment and dignity for the residents.”
Opening up the neighborhood and improving mobility
One of the main axes of the municipal project is to open up the neighborhood. With the introduction of the tramway in 2018, Moulins’ connectivity with the rest of the city has improved. Christian Estrosi plans to strengthen this dynamic with new urban planning initiatives. The development of Sœur Emmanuelle Alley as a traversable road, the extension of Françoise Giroud Street, and the creation of new ways aim to end the neighborhood’s isolation and facilitate daily commutes. Simultaneously, the issue of security remains a central concern. Known for its tragedies and a persistent sense of insecurity, the neighborhood might consider installing a municipal police branch at the Saint-Augustin station. “This neighborhood has experienced numerous tragedies that today fuel a strong sense of insecurity,” acknowledges the mayor, highlighting the results of the GAIDA device and the need to rebuild trust with the residents.
The project also emphasizes the importance of local facilities and social ties. The transformation of educational establishments, the creation of an Associations’ House focused notably on the elderly, the implementation of AnimaNice des Moulins planned for 2027, and the rehabilitation of the Mercantour sports complex demonstrate a commitment to genuinely enhancing the quality of life. Besides these projects, daily actions are also implemented, such as parking arrangements or pest control. This campaign is ultimately supported by new actors, like Abdelhakim Madi, 26 years old, born in the neighborhood and long involved in the associative sector. “I give my all for this neighborhood which suffers from a bad image. There are beautiful people, talent, generous families,” he asserts, determined to contribute to changing the perception of the Moulins. Through renovations, the addition of facilities, and human commitment, the project supported by Christian Estrosi aims to transform the Moulins into a perfectly connected, serene, and dynamic neighborhood, where the future is built as much through construction as through restored trust.
