City of Troyes Old District Gets a Complete Makeover

Square of the Liberation and the banks of the Seine Chanel,  by TN PLUS, in Troyes, France. The old district of Troyes, France, has received a complete makeover, and it all started with an underground parking project that was going to be built in the Square of the Liberation. The project, developed by Bruno Tanant and managed by Agathe Turmel and Stéphanie Henry, soon developed into more. It led to changes in the entire city center, with the Troyes Canal serving as the main element of attraction. The city commissioned the project and it was successfully completed in 2012. When the underground parking was ready to be built, the project managers noticed that the city center had a lot to offer in terms of visual appeal. They took into consideration the buildings and the gardens, and turned their perspective toward the Seine Chanel. This is how the idea of turning the Square of the Liberation and the Seine Chanel into points of attraction was born.

An Opportunity for the City of Troyes

It was the perfect opportunity to draw out the value of the town center, with its beautiful buildings, and to give the presence of water a makeover, as well. The Square of the Liberation was modified to include an 80-meter-long ribbon of water with changing light sequences that are splendid during the night.

Embankments and Troyes Canal The area in which the Troyes Canal (Seine Chanel) is located is historic and filled with a rich patrimony. The idea behind this part of the project was to restore the value of the old district, allowing pedestrians to enjoy not only the historic water channel but also the many interesting buildings in the area, such as the cathedral and the theater. This space has been transformed into an area to appreciate the history, culture, and relaxation. Shops and restaurants have been included in the project to complete the area. Blending with Historic Elements The Troyes Canal is one of the most important elements in the city, and the project delivered the opportunity for it to be brought once more to the forefront. The idea of working at the same time on the Square of the Liberation was based on the need to create a new space in which the historic elements could blend together, resulting in a new image. Related Articles:

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Materials and perspectives for the Troyes Canal Several different types of materials were used for the remaking of the Troyes Canal. For the walking path, local natural stone provided an elegant yet historic look. The banks were made using exquisite materials, with design ideas from TN PLUS and its talented landscape architects. As for the vegetal materials, among the many delicate choices are crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Buxus sempervirens, and Amur Maple (Acer ginnala). What was the main perspective for the Troyes Canal and the surrounding area? It was related to the obvious need to restore the quality of the ground. This is the reason why local natural stone has been used for the walking pathways. This choice was not random, as this material is already found in the area and it blended perfectly. Another perspective was coming from the need to transform this area into an area suitable for relaxation. By creating belvederes on the waterway, the landscape architects managed to provide a zone that is filled with history and quietness. Greenery adds to the historic charm of the Troyes Canal As this was supposed to be an area for relaxation, it should come as no surprise that trees were planted along the bank. Moreover, as the intention was to make this space suitable for pedestrians looking to relax, the adding of a long wooden bench structure was a stroke of genius. The evergreen plants are in perfect harmony with the shrubs that flower with each season, making this an ideal place to relax. The charming greenery includes perennial plants; these enchant the eye of the visitor with a different color in every season, from spring to autumn. In conclusion, the revival of the old district was made possible by suppressing the car traffic along certain parts of the banks, promoting pedestrian traffic. The beauty of the newly arranged area becomes even more obvious during the night, with the old building facades being draped by the soft lighting. Add to that the metal fountain and the changeable lighting sequences, and you have one of the most successful urban renovation projects. Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Alexandra Antipa. Return to Homepage

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