Canopy Installation on Avenue des Acacias

With the goal of creating a more user-friendly, green, and refreshing avenue, this participatory initiative invited the neighborhood to green the spaces left open to traffic since 2023 on Avenue des Acacias by removing the impervious surface.

The asphalt was replaced with permeable gravel-turf and semi-permeable natural crushed stone; vegetation was planted, and street furniture (benches, tables, and seating benches) was installed.

To learn more, see the summary of the initiative.

Why?

Paved surfaces make the ground impermeable and absorb more heat. This has significant consequences for our environment: heat islands, flood risks during severe weather, and loss of biodiversity. 

This also has an impact on the mental health and quality of life of the city’s residents. Indeed, studies show that being surrounded by greenery reduces stress, improves concentration, and enhances mental, cardiovascular, and respiratory health.

This new development therefore helps bring a breath of fresh air to the city, allows rainwater to seep into the ground, promotes biodiversity, and enhances various outdoor spaces.

A project launched in collaboration with the neighborhood’s residents

Neighborhood residents were invited to participate in the process at various stages:

• June 19, 2025 - Public information session on the project

• August 28, 2025—informative walk focusing on the renewal of cherry trees and the selection of tree species to plant

• October 4, 2025 - participatory work project to make the soil more permeable

• May 30, 2026 – participatory planting project and workshop to brainstorm local and community-based actions with neighbors, using the “Kit to Save the World… or Almost!”

The plan: