The ambition of Nice Méridia is to provide the Azurean metropolis with a leading research and development hub for green technologies, health-related fields, and smart city concepts. On the occasion of the preliminary consultation of the “Nice Méridia ZAC,” we propose to revisit this project and review the observations made by the association Vivre Nice.
The project to create an urban technopole on an initial operational perimeter of 26 ha located near the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport aims, through its content, spatial organization, and functioning mode, to combine the specific advantages of typically peri-urban technopoles (R&D, higher education, “cross-fertilization,” creation of new businesses…) with the benefits derived from a location in a truly dense urban fabric: diversity of functions (housing, shops, services, activities), access to public transport, reduction of commuting distances, urban vitality outside office hours, proximity and quality of commercial, sports, cultural and entertainment offerings.
Symbolizing a creative and welcoming city, Nice Méridia will offer a high-quality urban space that will promote interactions and exchange places, particularly housing for active individuals, students, researchers, leisure and cultural activities, local services… The group led by the urban planning and architecture agency of Christian Devillers was selected as the urban project manager after a competition to conduct studies.
As the site planner, EPA Plaine du Var is the project owner for this sustainable development and planning project.
Nice Méridia is an operation that is part of the OIN (National Interest Operation) Eco Vallée, in other words, the future planning project of the Plaine du Var. It aims to establish a research and development hub focused on green technologies and the “smart city” concept in this territory. By enhancing its capacity to attract investments, promoting job creation, and establishing new businesses, Nice Méridia aspires to be at the forefront of a transformation of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.
Nice Méridia is set to expand over an area of 26 ha, which has a privileged location in the immediate vicinity of the international airport and the future multimodal station between Grand Arénas and the future Allianz Riviera stadium.
However, this site should not be limited to an area of innovative activities. The project also includes shops, university premises, housing, public and leisure facilities, a balance between green and built environments…
No less than 320,000 m² of buildable capacity is expected to allow the market release of 2,100 units and eventually provide 4,000 jobs.
Contribution of the “Vivre Nice” association to the preliminary consultation for the creation of the Nice Méridia ZAC
Initially, we wish to express our support for the urban technopole development project called “Nice Méridia,” which is subject to preliminary consultation.
This operation, which is part of the National Interest Operation “Eco Vallée,” must allow the creation of an innovative activity zone within a future neighborhood that will include shops, university premises, housing, public and leisure facilities, and green spaces. Nice Méridia thus provides responses to the challenges of the coming years in terms of training, housing, employment, economic activity, and sustainable development.
We wish to make the following observations to contribute to making these 26 ha a “humanized” zone, where residents of Nice can live, work, and enjoy themselves in a neighborhood that remains open to the city:
1/ Generational Mix.
To make Nice Méridia a true living space, it seems useful to promote generational diversity by mentioning in the project the study of the implementation of:
a childcare center for young children
but also a Care Facility for Dependent Elderly Persons (EHPAD)
2/ Cultural Dimension.
We propose to mention in the project the installation of contemporary art pieces in public spaces. The cultural dimension within this new high-tech and sustainable development-oriented district must be affirmed.
3/ Creation of a Multipurpose Open Space.
We suggest reserving a zone in the public space whose purpose would be to create a genuine multipurpose living area for meetups, allowing residents to organize various events within Nice Méridia itself (neighborhood parties, music festivals, artist meetups, flea markets…)
This space, by its size and purpose, has a different function from Cours Méridia and the university park.
4/ Automobile Traffic Flow.
The presented project mentions the intention to “calm major transport routes.” As Nice Méridia aspires to become a true living space, we would like the means to achieve this objective to be specified, considering the timetable for the deployment of the future “dedicated public transport.”
Nice Méridia is bordered by two major traffic axes to the east and west. It seems useful to study pedestrian safety, particularly for children.
5/ Development of Secure Bicycle Lanes.
We would like the existence of secure bicycle lanes to be mentioned across all the circulation routes and not just on a single street as specified in the project submitted for consultation.
6/ Financing.
In a time when the State is making drastic budget cuts, we would like the current level of government financial commitment to be mentioned in the file.
7/ Parking.
The proximity of the future Allianz Riviera stadium sharply raises the question of surface parking. The principle of shared parking (which is appealing in itself) between residents and employees risks reaching its limits during periods of major events.
Hervé CAEL, President of the association
www.vivrenice.fr
