We know that developing an urbanization project can take time, especially when it is called upon to change the face of an area in a lasting way. In Thônex, the Belle-Terre | Les Communaux d’Ambilly project is no exception to the rule, since it took almost 20 years from the intentions of the cantonal master plan for the first shovel in May 2018 to launch the initial phase of this project, which will see the emergence of the first 670 homes in this future district, which is planned to be called the Belle-Terre district, by 2021. A major challenge for the Commune, but also for its two main partners, the State of Geneva and Batima-C2I SA as developer. If the project has been the subject of a long gestation period, it is today enthusiasm that prevails. The architectural program will allow the future buildings to be harmoniously integrated into the landscape, but also to converge the requirements of each actor towards a common objective: to develop a dynamic place, perfectly integrated into the social, environmental and urban fabric of the Commune, in order to encourage the creation of a rich and diversified neighbourhood life. Comptoir Immobilier, pilot for Batima-C2I SA for the design and implementation of the neighborhood, as well as for the Commune for the realization of public spaces, reveals here the main lines of force of the project.
Building a neighborhood from scratch most often responds to a subtle game of balance: between types and categories of housing, the share of housing and the share of activity, meeting spaces and circulation spaces. In this sense, the planned range of apartments (PPE, LUP, controlled rents and cooperatives) must allow the social mix to be promoted. The functional mix will also be respected: spaces dedicated to trade, services, but also offices will contribute to the animation of the neighborhood.
In terms of cohesion, the Commune relies heavily on its public amenities to add soul to the neighborhood. A place of sociability par excellence, the school is a key element in this scheme, but it is above all the public spaces that should multiply the possibilities of connections and interactions. Esplanades, generous and diversified green spaces, pathways, these will be as many links between the surrounding nature and the district, but also between users.
While giving priority to soft mobility networks, special attention has been paid to accessibility: a road link connecting the Route de Jussy to Avenue Bel-Air will create a main access to the neighborhood, relayed by a central alley for internal service. Parking will be exclusively underground and access to the urban parts will be reserved for services. With a strengthened public transport offer, including three bus lines and the Léman Express nearby, the district will benefit, in addition to its internal assets, from a facilitated connection with the entire region.
SOME FIGURES:
2018 May – December
– Preparation of land, improvement of hydrographic situation and completion of pipelines
September
– Start of work on the road link and the school group
From 2019
– Completion of public spaces
– Construction of the road link, school group and urban parts A2 and B
2021
– Commissioning of the road link, school complex and public spaces
– Delivery of the first housing units and arrival of the first residents Horizon
2022
– Construction of urban rooms A1 and A3 Horizon
2025
– Construction of urban rooms A4 and A5
Read more: www.belleterre.ch