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Sustainable city: Parc Méridia project enters implementation phase

The Parc Méridia project has officially entered its implementation phase as part of the France 2030 programme, “Demonstrators of the Sustainable City”. Titled “Parc Méridia: the productive city, a balance between social, economic, territorial and environmental development”, the project is led by EPA Nice Écovallée in partnership with the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, the City of Nice and Université Côte d’Azur (IMREDD). It has received the approval of the decision-making committee and secured funding from Banque des Territoires.

An innovative, multi-dimensional project : The demonstrator includes six pioneering initiatives focusing on urban agriculture, soil regeneration, circular economy, smart mobility, civic engagement and productive urban densification. Together, these actions aim to make Parc Méridia a replicable model of the sustainable city, within a mixed and dense urban fabric.

A 64-hectare eco-district in transformation: Located in western Nice, Parc Méridia will be built around a 20-hectare landscaped park, with 5,430 housing units (35% social housing), 6,000 expected jobs, public amenities (schools, nursery, socio-educational centre) and local shops. A total of 23 hectares will be depaved and renatured.

A vision aligned with the “15-minute city”: The project fully aligns with the 15-minute city model, promoting a sustainable urban form in which all essential services are accessible by foot or bicycle. This model aims to reduce CO₂ emissions, enhance quality of life and strengthen territorial resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

EPA Nice Écovallée has officially launched the implementation phase of the Parc Méridia demonstrator, under the France 2030 – Demonstrators of the Sustainable City programme.

As part of the France 2030 programme “Demonstrators of the Sustainable City”, operated by Banque des Territoires on behalf of the French State, the project “Parc Méridia: the productive city, a balance between social, economic, territorial and environmental development”, led by EPA Nice Écovallée in partnership with the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, the City of Nice, and Université Côte d’Azur through its innovation and partnership institute IMREDD, has received approval from the decision-making committee and is now entering its implementation phase.

The demonstrator moves into the “implementation” phase

The project encompasses six innovative actions, making Parc Méridia a replicable model and a testing ground for environmental excellence and urban innovation. The initiatives include tangible steps in soil regeneration, urban agriculture, circular economy loops and intelligent mobility, all within a mixed-use district aimed at creating a productive and resilient territory.

Funded initiatives include:

• EPA Nice Écovallée:

Applying public policy design methods to enhance citizen engagement
Deploying a productive urban economy within a dense demonstration block
Building a local urban and peri-urban agriculture sector
Structuring a circular economy sector focused on earthen construction materials

• EPA Nice Écovallée & City of Nice:

Biologically restoring and reactivating urban soils

• Université Côte d’Azur / IMREDD:

Developing a modelling tool to optimise mobility related to economic activities within the ZAC (concerted development zone)

The Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur is a full partner in the demonstrator and all related actions. These experimental initiatives are expected to inspire similar projects, reinforcing Parc Méridia’s role as a laboratory for environmental excellence and urban innovation.

Parc Méridia: the ambition of tomorrow’s productive city

Located in western Nice, this 64-hectare eco-district will be structured around a vast 20-hectare park: the Grand Parc Paysager de la Plaine du Var. Built on already artificialised land, the district will include approximately 5,000 housing units, productive economic activities, local services and shops, and key public infrastructure—schools, a nursery, a socio-cultural centre, and sports facilities.

Renaturation efforts have already begun, including at the park’s northern entrance, which will soon be inaugurated.

Key figures:

64 hectares, including 20 hectares of landscaped park
23 hectares to be depaved and renatured
5,430 housing units, including 35% social housing
6,000 jobs
2 school groups, 1 nursery, 1 socio-educational centre, 1 metropolitan-scale facility

Timeline:

2024: Start of renaturation work across the Grand Parc Paysager
2025: Launch of thematic consultation workshops
2026: Deployment of the geothermal network; launch of operator calls for projects (mixed-use buildings, urban agriculture, earth platform)
2027: Start of construction of the first urban blocks and public spaces

“The Parc Méridia demonstrator goes well beyond the traditional scope of an urban project. It represents a new way of imagining the city of tomorrow, with and for its citizens, within a model of economic development aligned with social and environmental challenges. This project offers a concrete response to 21st-century issues, such as the 15-minute city, which aims to reduce pollution by ensuring all essential services are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride,” said Xavier Latour, President of EPA Nice Écovallée and Vice-President of the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur in charge of education, higher learning and research.

Source: Nice Écovallée press release