It is “
the new green lung
” of the capital.
Voted at the start of the year, "OnE I" is one of the biggest renovation projects planned by the Paris City Hall, but also one of the most criticized.
Its stated objective?
Transform "
in depth by 2024
" the surroundings of the Eiffel Tower, in particular in anticipation of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. But for local residents, who have been mobilizing for several months, the project is an ecological "
carnage
", denounces among others Philippe Khayat, member of SOS Paris.
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From the "
Trocadero to the Military School
", the project nevertheless represents "
16,724 square meters of additional green spaces
", "
222 trees planted
" and "
35,000 square meters of roads returned to pedestrians
".
According to the website of the town hall of Paris, these developments will make it possible to rethink the reception of visitors to one of the most touristic sites in the world, with priority given to "
vegetation and soft mobility
".
Problem?
To allow these numerous constructions, dozens of trees will have to be felled, 42 specifies the town hall of Paris, some of which are bicentennial.
Very concerned, the FNE (France Nature Environment) went there last Wednesday to carry out an inventory.
In addition to the fellings already planned, according to their observation, construction sites installed too close to the trees could destroy the roots.
“Privatization of public space”
Questioned on Twitter by local residents and in particular the journalist and activist Hugo Clément, Emmanuel Grégoire, right arm of Anne Hidalgo, defended the current project.
"
This project will improve the working conditions of the agents and reception of the public of the Eiffel Tower and the gardens
", indicated the first deputy mayor of Paris.
Indeed, these developments would be used for the construction of five infrastructures, and in particular "
luggage rooms
" for tourists.
But according to SOS Paris, these would also be “
VIP spaces, offices, restaurants
”.
Corinne Roy, member of the Association of Friends of the Champ-de-Mars, then denounces a "
privatization of public space
".
“
It is a commercial project of the
Société d'exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE)
disguised as something environmental
", also deplores Philippe Khayat, "
a destruction of the open ground and an artificialization of the soil
", he continues.
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Regarding the creation of additional green space, Bernard Seydoux, president of the association of friends of the Champ-de-Mars, affirms that they are “
misleading
”.
According to him, in the total of additional green spaces, the town hall of Paris "
recognizes green roofs
" and would therefore not really replace the lawns removed, he says in an interview with the site team #Saccageparis.
This project, initiated by Anne Hidalgo's team, is also not supported by the town hall of the 7th arrondissement, and in particular Rachida Dati.
“
For ecological but also heritage reasons, we have been opposed to this project for two years now
”, supports Emmanuelle Dauvergne, elected councilor of Paris.
