Masterplan for Canals

The Masterplan consists of a diagnosis, a collection of maps and a document of spatialised guidelines. The diagnosis of the canals and their surrounding areas, along the broadest section of the waterways covering approximately fifteen kilometres, focuses on three main themes: diversification and coexistence of uses, mobility and accessibility, preservation of the landscape and heritage. The map collection gives a detailed vision of these infrastructures, built at the early 19th century, which continue to play a role of supplying non-drinking water and serve to navigate freight, as well as now accommodating a great variety of uses: walking, recreational activities, sport, culture, boating and tourism. The guideline document  specifies a common, strategic vision for both canals and spatial guidelines for each of them. It is divided into four themes: centres to be reinforced and urban transformation, economic development, improved pedestrian and cycling access and finally the landscape as well as entertainment and leisure sectors. These guidelines are broken down into six sections on the Ourcq Canal and five on the Saint-Denis Canal. They are aimed at preserving and diversifying activities on the waterways and developing recreational and cultural uses linked to the transformation of territories.

The Masterplan for the Canals Saint-Denis and Ourcq aims to transform the waterways into truly vibrant, heritage landscapes that address urban and environmental issues by integrating the challenges of sharing space, new carbon-free mobility options, economic development and ecological sustainability. It puts forward a common foundation for sharing development, so that the Ourcq and Saint-Denis Canals play a central role in the Greater Paris - Grand Paris Metropolis - in the short and medium term and with a forward-looking 2040 time horizon.