A Sustainable Neighbourhood

The Ile de Nantes project is little by little becoming a catalyst for sustainable development.  As an alternative to urban sprawl, the Ile de Nantes reveals a dense city served by an excellent public transportation system as well as bicycle and pedestrian options.  A city where students, working people, families and seniors can live, work, study, shop, eat, go out and generally enjoy life!

 
And rather than erase the past, the project makes use of the existing to highlight the city's history. The Ile de Nantes is an important symbolic and physical part of the industrial history of Nantes. Old neglected spaces and buildings are getting a new lease on life or being renovated with contemporary architecture.  Polluted ground is being treated as needed, existing structures are being left in place and old materials such as cobblestones and curbs are being reused.


Protecting the biodiversity of the Island is a major concern, which is why extensive vegetation is being planted along the riverbanks and streets and in public squares and gardens. No pesticides are used in any of the public spaces. Natural resources are being preserved by implementing water management schemes featuring rainwater recovery systems, roof gardens and water self-sufficient public spaces, cutting power consumption and developing renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic power plants and district heating networks.