Brest Métropole: turning a former shipyard into a living space and creative hub

At the heart of the city of Brest, the district of Les Capucins was once a home to the local shipbuilding industry. With its strong maritime heritage, firmly anchored in the memories of the people of Brest, the area is now being redeveloped as an eco-district, a new hub of life, creativity and innovation. From the outset, the project sought to include local residents and all of the stakeholders concerned through a process of consultation. This approach is fully in line with Goal 8 of the AIVP 2030 Agenda. We were interested in learning more about the different aspects of this project, and the solutions adopted. So we spoke to Tifenn QUIGUER, Senior VP Planning at Brest Métropole, and Michel GOURTAY, Senior VP Economy. Brest Métropole, the metropolitan authority of the Brest conurbation, has been a member of AIVP since 1990 AIVP - The former shipyard site that includes Le Plateau and Les Ateliers des Capucins is undergoing a radical transformation. What are the main lines of the redevelopment of this heritage site? Tifenn QUIGUER, Senior VP Planning,Michel GOURTAY, Senior VP Economy. The Capucins project is at the heart of the metropolitan area, in the Quatre-Moulins district (population: 20,000). It sits on the fringe of so-called New National Programme for Urban Renewal (NPNRU) projects, namely "Quéliverzan/Recouvrance/Capucins" and "Bellevue/Bords de Penfeld". PEF © Pierre-François Watras/Brest métropole It is key to the deployment of the major urban development project “Cœur de métropole/Penfeld”, as it will serve to: reconfigure the heart of the Pays de Brest conurbation;strengthen metropolitan functions in Brittany’s second-largest city;regenerate the right bank by renewing the supply of housing and activities;connect both banks of the river Penfeld more effectively. This means: on the one hand, repositioning Brest city centre within its original contours, by expanding towards the right bank of the Penfeld and Bellevue, and promoting the creation of an attractive city centre for the 400,000 inhabitants of the Pays de Brest conurbation. This will be achieved by creating high-profile amenities (François Mitterrand library – Les Ateliers des Capucins, French Tech Brest+’s “Totem” space, a cultural centre dedicated to maritime innovation called 70.8, a national performing arts centre called Le Fourneau, Nelson Mandela international residence and mobility centre, THALES DESIGN CENTER, etc.) ;and on the other hand, reinforcing the links between the two banks and with the Recouvrance district, by showcasing exceptional historic sites and landscapes that form part of the city’s blue and green belt. AIVP - The aim is also to create an eco-district. What solutions are being used to achieve…