The redevelopment project for the Port district, initiated in 2025 by Grand Paris Sud-Est Avenir (GPSEA) in partnership with the City, aims to sustainably improve the living environment and attractiveness of the area. The first phase, Place du Port, was completed last April after five months of work. This redevelopment allowed for the greening of the space, the creation of coolness islands and relaxation areas, and the structuring of movement with a central pedestrian walkway. The stairs connecting to Général Billotte Avenue and the Abymes esplanade were also renovated, along with public lighting and slab waterproofing. Plantings most affected by summer drought will be replaced in November.
Work continues this month on Moloïse and Falkirk squares. The central island of Place Moloïse will be entirely redone, and another will be created on Place Falkirk to soften the slope. Both will be crossed by a pedestrian walkway made of large pavers interspersed with grass and bordered by green parking spaces. The green spaces on both sites and along Général Billotte Avenue will be reworked to create a pleasant environment for strolls. The squares will feature improved public lighting and underground waste bins for better waste management, along with efforts to control pests throughout the district.
In total, the landscaping objectives represent 790 m2 of new planted areas, including eleven trees and 520 m2 of shrub and perennial plant beds. These developments will help limit heat islands, promote biodiversity, and make the squares more pleasant during heatwaves. The green spaces and vegetated parking areas will also facilitate rainwater infiltration.
The project aims to reconcile the greening of public spaces, the improvement of pedestrian pathways, and the maintenance of parking facilities adapted to the needs of residents and businesses. Upon completion, Moloïse and Falkirk squares are expected to have 71 parking spaces, compared to 76 currently. The construction site will, however, lead to a temporary decrease in availability. Depending on the phasing studied, 52 parking spaces will remain available during the work on Place Moloïse, then 62 during that of Place Falkirk. Each phase is estimated to last four months. An underground public parking facility with 70 spaces for cars and 34 for motorized and non-motorized two-wheelers had been considered, but significant technical constraints, particularly regarding ventilation, smoke extraction, and fire safety, are leading to a re-examination of its feasibility.
The future of the dovecote is also a subject of consultation, with its preservation subject to the opinion of the neighborhood council. Furthermore, the links between the Port and the lake are to be part of a broader reflection, with an embellishment and sanitation project announced for 2027, subject to calendar confirmation. With these developments, the district's requalification intends to reconcile quality of life, pedestrian mobility, greening, and the preservation of parking facilities adapted to daily uses.
