archikubik

To begin with, Vitry-sur-Seine is a city split in half by the RD5. Moreover, it is a city formed by various areas for very distinct uses. The third element to bear in mind in order to understand the city is its east-west hillls, offering views throughout the national road and towards the River Seine valley.

In addition to these hills, and towards the south, vegetation becomes more prominent due to the proximity of the Parc des Lilas, a regional park of about 100 hectares.

These three elements are required to create an operational principle of urban connection, focusing on the urban scar of the national road as an opportunity for uniting the city. Re-converting the RD5 into an urban boulevard allows us to introduce the concept of ductile public space, closely related with the concept of shared private space (SPS).

We thus create a sequential, porous public space marked by the transversal green space from the hills in the west, functioning as eco-connectors. The green area works as an infrastructure that connects the territory.

The project thus re-creates a new centrality, committing to human capital and restructuring the territory at a more sensitive, friendly and home scale, drawing from the poetry of the existing landscape. It shows that it’s possible for a 21st century city to take on a human dimension: the organoleptic city that develops habitable spaces.

The project develops the concept of urban intensity: density, compactness and complexity (aligning with the dialogue between green spaces and public spaces).

The RD5 loses its front-line strength and allows the creation of a public space which can be used by all the inhabitants of Vitry, thus enhancing social cohesion as well.