Start construction infrastructure OZ Nature Urbaine Montpellier [FR]

KCAP is proud to be included with 2 projects in the Yearbook Landscape Architecture and Urban Design 2014. With FredericiaC in the category 'the innovative city' and with OZ Nature Urbaine Montpellier in 'station areas'.

Kees Christiaanse together with Benedikt Boucsein and Christian Salewski are the authors of an article within the topic 'Station and airport in the city' of S+RO 2014/05. [[file:sro201405]]

In Montpellier the construction of the infrastructure for the realisation of KCAP's masterplan OZ Nature-Urbaine has started. The first progression of the infrastructure bindle building process is visible and gives an impression of the new TGV station site.

Kees Christiaanse contributes to the current issue of Dutch monthly De Architect about station areas with his essay: 'Europe by train' (Europa per spoor).De Architect: 'In his article Kees Christiaanse examines in detail the German and French approach to developing a network of high speed trains. He concludes that the implementation of high-speed lines does not compete with other modes of transport such as cars and aircraft, but supplemts them. It is up to the traveler to find the right combination of modes of transport.'  [[file:1306dearchitect]] 

KCAP Architects&Planners in collaboration with landscape architects ILEX and sustainability advisor Oasiis are selected for the development of the area Quartier Gare TGV.  The commission, chaired by Jean-Pierre Moure, President of Montpellier Agglomeration, has appointed KCAP’s design after a 6 months competitive dialogue procedure with international three candidates including team Christian de Portzamparc (France) and team Daniel Libeskind (USA). The development called ‘Oz Montpellier Nature Urbaine’ is one of the ‘grand projets’ of the Montepellier Agglomeration and comprises of a 350 ha area around the future TGV station to be built in the south of the city. The area will develop in a mixed urban district with 5.000 residences, parks and gardens, commercial and recreation facilities and a business area of European scale with 350,000 m² of offices. As it expands between the city of Montpellier, the airport and the Mediterranean Sea it involves as well the future high-speed railway line LGV between Montpellier and Nimes and the new motorway A9. ‘In order to direct this development in a sustainable way over a long period, we have designed a strong underlying framework of public spaces with the landscape as an important base and driver. This framework, that carefully incorporates the new infrastructure, allows for a phased development that is open for change, but that creates a strong identity at the same time,’ says Kees Christiaanse. Validation of the masterplan is estimated in the summer of 2013. The first offices should be delivered in late 2017.