The quarter Vidailhan within KCAP’s mixed-use masterplan for ZAC Balma-Gramont in Toulouse is awarded as one of three best projects in the category ‘quality of life in the quarter’(qualité du projet à la vie du quartier’) in the French EcoQuartier 2011 award. Of a total of 394 submissions, 24 projects were awarded in 11 categories. The biannual award is in its second edition and is an initiative of the French Ministry Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. It distinguishes ecological urban developments which innovatively promote the emergence of a new way to design, build and manage cities.
Vidailhan is one of four defined neighborhoods within the sustainable urban strategy developed for the 107 ha site in the East of Toulouse, located on the edge of shrinking agriculture and chaotic suburban growth. The development vision is commissioned by French developer Oppidea and has been elaborated by KCAP (urban planning), Mutabilis (landscape design), Droit de Cité (associated architects) and BET Dumons (engineering).
Vidailhan is the quarter with the densest mix of functions within the larger masterplan. On approx. 20 ha it offers offices, residences, retail, sport, public facilities, parks and nature areas. The dense mix of functions guarantees the high quality of life and public spaces for which the plan was awarded. The integration of the existing landscape features such as topography, vegetation and water adds a sustainable quality to the plan. Contributing to the plan’s success is additionally the participation of inhabitants and local stakeholder throughout the design process.
After its start in 2007, the first phase of the development is currently under construction, phase two has started development procedure in October 2011.