Future of the Gardiner Expressway - Nanos Research

Case StudiesAmeliorateViaduct des Arts, Paris, FranceBackgroundThe Viaduct des Arts / Promenade Planteeis a 2-kilometer (1.25-mile) elevated railwaystructure in the 12th arrondissment of Paris.The viaduct runs parallel to Avenue Daumesnilwithin a dense residential neighborhood offive- to six-story buildings.The brick and masonry viaduct wasconstructed in the nineteenth century. Therailroad closed in 1969. From its closure tothe late-1990s, the viaduct’s large archwayswere episodically occupied by assortments ofantique shops, auto garages, used bookstores,and other uses.Atelier Parisien d’ Urbanisme (APUR), thecity’s urban design agency, developed in the1980s an historic restoration strategy for theviaduct. The plan proposed re-tenanting the64 archways with artists, craftspeople, andrestaurants. In addition, it included a newlinear park and gardens overhead, whichwere designed by Philippe Mathieu andJacques Vergely. APUR partnered with alocal development corporation to identify andmanage new tenants.Whereas there were studios and workshopsin the viaduct prior to renovation, the APURproject represented significant up-scaling ofboth the viaduct and Avenue Daumesnil.Urban DesignBy the 1980s the viaduct was considered anurban eyesore. Its shops did not contributepositively to neighborhood identity. In addition,the city had recently invested in the grandprojet, Opera Bastille. As such, the OperaBastille brought with it benefits for other arearedevelopment and public amenities. Theviaduct’s eventual restoration was intendedto enhance neighborhood retail, but also tocreate a contemporary Paris landmark.The viaduct and promenade designemphasizes the structure’s character andvisual connections to the city. The archwayrestoration, designed by Patrick Berger, isintended to minimally distract from thestructure’s historic character. Glass claddingover the archways is set back in order toaccentuate the masonry, which was restored inViews of the city below are a key element ofthe Promenade design.The archways under the viaduct provide space for artist studios, workshops, and restaurants.42Future of the Gardiner Expressway