The project had been in the works for eight years. The transplantation of the trees adorning the roundabout at Place Léo-Figuères marked, last month, the kick-off of the requalification of the Barbusse district, in the south of Malakoff (Hauts-de-Seine). This crossroads will be replaced by a simple crossing to allow the development of a pedestrian and green space. “We want a reappropriation of public space for the residents of the neighborhood,” explains Rodéric Aarsse, deputy mayor for town planning.
This redevelopment is part of a “global travel plan” designed in 2016, which also provides, among other things, for making Rue Louise-Michel one-way and the pedestrianization of a street serving Place Léo-Figuères. For the municipality, it is a question of reviewing the place of the car in the neighborhood but also of respecting the challenges of a “child-friendly city”. “When you design a city for children, by definition, it is a place that is also pleasant and quiet for people with reduced mobility, the elderly…”, specifies the elected official.
The trees adorning the roundabout of Place Léo-Figuères had to be transplanted to the new eponymous square or to schoolyards and squares.
“Place Léo-Figuères is the central point of the project but the entire district will be reworked,” underlines Rodéric Aarsse. In particular, we want to build new residential buildings to bring social diversity to the neighborhood. The city has more than 42% social housing. The arrival of people with greater purchasing power could help revitalize trade. »
“We will improve the quality of life of residents”
However, nearly 900 social housing units will be rehabilitated. “We are going to improve the quality of life of residents since we are going to redo kitchens, bathrooms, heating, insulation, electricity… Without any increase in rent,” assures the deputy mayor for town planning. In the end, everyone is going to be a winner. »
The new face of the Barbusse district will not be visible immediately since the end of the project is planned around 2030. “The cost of this project to requalify the district is around 90 million euros including tax,” indicates Marc Choukour, director of urban development in the town of Malakoff.
To pay the bill, several project owners are involved: the municipality, of course, but also the city's social landlord, Malakoff Habitat, as well as the territorial public establishment which finances the road improvements. “The cost for the city should be around 20 million euros including tax, when the social landlord should pay around 45 million,” explains Marc Choukour. The city also benefits from the “Quartier d'avenir” system of the departmental council, aimed at providing financial support for this type of project.