Public space in Paris needs to correspond to new issues : improved pedestrian comfort, to enable new uses and forms of appropriation to develop, to contribute to adapting urban spaces to climate changes, to enhance vegetation and optimise water resources.
Dealing with these complex challenges calls for a change of approach which implies reconsidering the construction of Parisian public spaces built in the 19th century and re-adapted during the 20th century: cross-section profiles, levelling, materials, pedestrian precincts, areas of vegetation and water. The tool for analysing public space developed by Apur and presented in this study, puts forward a fresh vision of public space providing new keys for understanding it and strategic maps. Along with other work carried out notably on non-drinking water, urban heat islands, nature in the city but also experiments with ground surface materials, the way is paved for seeing tomorrow”s Parisian public space in a new light with greater coherence in design methods, execution and management.
