RENATURATION AND OASIS SCHOOLYARD
The city of Dreux has 31,314 inhabitants and covers an area of 24.27 km². It is located in the Eure-et-Loir department, in the Centre–Val de Loire region, 81 km from Paris.
In 2021, the municipal team committed to a program aimed at restoring nature to public spaces and schoolyards, aligning with the Territoire Engagé pour la Nature initiative and land-use sobriety principles. As part of this strategy, the city established a prioritized action plan to preserve local biodiversity. Dreux aims to become an attractive territory for economic development, tourism, and quality of life, notably through the requalification of its public spaces.
A COOL, NATURAL SPACE REPLACING ASPHALT
The importance of nature in a child’s cognitive development has been demonstrated by studies on concentration capacity and brain development. Contact with nature counterbalances the effects of increased screen exposure in children’s daily lives. Following the health crisis, neuroscientists also showed that contact with nature improves motor skills and supports children’s ability to understand limits and manage risk.
A DESIGN THAT THINKS ABOUT THE FUTURE
The redevelopment of the Louise Michel School playground responds to climate change by anticipating its impacts and adapting to its consequences. This multifaceted approach combines both physical infrastructure and educational initiatives.
Extensively planted, the new playground design improves thermal comfort by offering shaded, cool, and biodiversity-friendly spaces. Increasing permeable surfaces allows rainwater to naturally infiltrate the soil, reducing flood risks and supporting groundwater recharge.
Our work is based on five key design principles:
- Creating landscaped spaces for children: varied topography, play features, huts, diverse seating.
- Nature at the heart of the project: strengthening biodiversity and raising environmental awareness.
- Outdoor learning areas: including vegetable gardens.
- Rainwater as an ecological and educational resource.
- Diverse spaces: a place for everyone.
