Bordeaux, sustainable housing at the heart of real estate programs

In Bordeaux, sustainable housing has the wind in its sails. After seeing various eco-districts grow, the city now hosts Le Petit Bruges. A new real estate programme for housing and urban sustainability. It is therefore part of the fight against urban sprawl, the limitation of car use and the development of public transport. Located in the heart of a forest park 10 minutes from the center of Bordeaux, the 117 apartments of the “Live, flourish” scheme are part of bordeaux métropole’s policy. Which seeks to cover the growing need for housing,while preserving the city, nature to ensure an attractive living environment.

In addition, when building new housing, it is important to be aware of urban density. This density includes several elements. It includes the number of inhabitants, housing, available services or gardens in a specific area. The urban form will intervene on the perception of density. Indeed, if the spaces are poorly maintained and poorly distributed, it is a safe bet that the spaces will be perceived as denser and more stressful.

Thus, the quality of the spaces and their ease of access give way to a density more easily absorbed by the inhabitants. In order to enhance this dimension, it is necessary to think correctly about the width of the streets. It is necessary to let the neighborhoods breathe with empty spaces or to create green spaces. These elements contribute to a feeling of well-being in the city.

This view of density can be distorted depending on the types of constructions. Large complexes do not have a maximum density while the number of inhabitants is high. And on the contrary, Haussmann-type cities like Bordeaux remain attractive while the density is felt at a high level.

district le petit bruges sustainable housing bordeaux
Sustainable housing of Bordeaux metropolis: future district Le Petit Bruges (1)

Le Petit Bruges, the new sustainable district of the Bordeaux metropolis

Joining the new generation districts, Le Petit Bruges is still a separate program. For good reason, it is perfectly integrated into 2 hectares of vegetation and some 300 trees.

To respect the natural environment, the residences are composed of sustainable materials, such as wood. Despite the dimensions of the buildings, they are intended to be on a human scale. Or at least give the impression by promoting the intimacy of each apartment and the opening on the surrounding nature. To perfect the concept, all the lots benefit from an exterior, ranging from the simple loggia to the small private garden. Designed to increase exposures, sustainable housing as a whole aims to reduce energy consumption.

Even more than the development related to the residence, the work will also benefit biodiversity. Indeed, the park has been redesigned to allow better infiltration of rainwater. It thus gives pride of place to nature.

Far from sticking to the housing program, the residences of the new eco-district will form a real neighborhood life. Especially thanks to the installation of local shops on the ground floor.

A Bordeaux eco-district designed around soft mobility

To meet the expectations of the metropolis, Le Petit Bruges has left no aspect of the city’s environmental policy aside. Thus, the new eco-district integrates soft mobility even in the heart of the residences. Indeed, it integrates pedestrian and bicycle paths in the park and connected to the green line. In addition, multi-service bike stations will mesh the landscape. Each residence will thus be equipped with its mechanical bike space at the disposal of the inhabitants.

the small bruges eco-district bordeaux
Eco-district Le petit Bruges

Ideally located, the new sustainable homes will be particularly well served and quickly connected to the city’s flagship locations. 10 minutes from the hyper-center of Bordeaux by tram; 1 km from Bordeaux Lac beach; 5 tram stops from Chartrons… In addition to cycling, walking, tram or bus trips, the neighborhood will be close to the ring road.

Sustainable housing, spearhead of Bordeaux Métropole and developers

On the sustainability side, Le Petit Bruges joins a new tradition of Bordeaux real estate programs, inaugurated by the opening of theGinko eco-district in Bordeaux Lac (2). Far from simply following the environmental standards for the building, everyone seems to be looking for the best performance. Thus, most new programs have an energy consumption 10 to 20% lower than the reference. Some even plant gardens with trees and flowers adapted to the climate to consume as little water as possible…

Despite the long list of criteria for sustainable housing, developers and builders are outbidding to appeal more to buyers and tenants. And therefore sell faster, more expensive and be favorites with municipalities for future projects.

The prize for the first eco-district of Bordeaux goes to Ginko. Central real estate project of the program “Bordeaux 2030, towards a sustainable metropolis”, it opened its doors in 2014 after 8 years of projects: 4 years of designs, 4 years of work. Spread over 32 hectares in the developing district of Bordeaux Lac, it now houses 7000 people in 2700 apartments. Crossed by a tram stop, it is also marbled by 6 kilometers of bike paths and pedestrian paths.

Following the success of this programme, others have emerged in different places in Bordeaux (2), particularly in areas to be rehabilitated or those with a maximum of space.

Thus, in the same vein, 2021 sees the opening of the new eco-district Bastide Niel, on 35 hectares. A total of 3,400 new dwellings per 10,000 inhabitants. More than a residential area, it also seeks to create a local life and activity with theinstallation of offices, an Eklo hotel and even a tourist infrastructure on the theme of ecology.

Poor workmanship that slows down the craze around eco-neighborhoods

Soon, the Brazza Euratlantique district will also join the growing family of sustainable housing on Bordeaux Métropole. Built near the Chaban Delmas Bridge, this program will have the particularity of being built partly on stilts. All to allow the cohabitation of buildings and the Garonne, especially in periods of flood.

A particularly ambitious and attractive real estate program, provided, however, that security is actually at the rendezvous. Recall that a year after the opening of the Ginko eco-district, a balcony had collapsed because of poor workmanship. No injuries then fortunately, but an incident that added to the list of defects observed in most of the new programs on the metropolis. In this regard, Ginko had also done a lot since as of 2018, 69% of residents had noticed poor workmanship in their home.

green value housing 2018 eco-neighborhoods sustainable housing
Value of houses for sale according to their energy performance

Renovation at the heart of downtown rehabilitation

When it comes to housing, the Bordeaux metropolis is not only new. For good reason, Bordeaux enjoys a vast architectural heritage that makes the charm of its city center. However, typical shops and small buildings are deteriorating and many are in a particularly dilapidated, even critical, condition.

A situation that is beginning to have serious consequences as the city continues the catastrophic announcements of building collapse: 3 in one week in June 2021. It is also increasing the number of emergency evacuations in buildings that also threaten to bend under their own weight. Thus, the renovation of the existing is at the heart of the projects, although it is more difficult for the city to force the owners to do work.

Thus, the government has also introduced tax exemptions and other incentive schemes. For example, owners can benefit from MaPrimeRenov, the former “Tax Credit for the Energy Transition” (CITE).

It should be noted, however, that owners of rented property have less assistance than owner-occupiers. However, this is the situation of many properties in the old districts of Bordeaux. Thus, even if a home in good condition is rented more easily and more expensive, many do not bother to worry about it. Those who want to can, however, count on VAT reduced to 5.5% for energy renovation, subsidies from anah, certain aid from local authorities, or the eco-PTZ until 2021.

Sources

  1. “In Bordeaux: Lamotte launches Le Petit Bruges, A new nature district where it is good to live”, Press release of 3 June 2021
  2. Labeled districts: the boom of eco-districts in Bordeaux,Immo9 Bordeaux, April 6, 3018
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