Aix-Marseille University (AMU) is pioneering sustainable urban development through CARDIMED project. Most NBS implementations related to unsealing and renaturing are financed by funding from the Water District Authority (Agence de l’Eau) Rhône-Méditerranée-Corse and AMU own funding, Horizon Europe financing mainly monitoring and research activities.
The sites chosen for demonstration of innovative Nature-based Solutions (NBS) are the campuses of Saint-Charles and Saint-Jérôme. The aims are to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve the resilience of ecosystems by infiltrating rainwater in situ, revegetating the sites, improving biodiversity, reducing surface temperatures and improving the living environment of users. Based on lessons learned on these 2 sites, AMU is planning to deploy progressively this approach to other campuses.
Nature-Based Solutions in Action
These initiatives focus on unsealing impermeable surfaces to enable immediate rainwater infiltration, restore soil functionality, and enhance local biodiversity. On Saint-Jérôme Campus, key interventions are:
- Creation of micro forest: Establishing dense, native plant communities (fig2) to improve air quality, provide shade, and support urban wildlife. Adult trees and various herbaceous species have already been kept when possible, or planted, and bushes from local species are being cultivated by the university.
- Installation of Infiltration Swales (fig1): shallow channels have been dug to capture and infilter stormwater.
- Application of Pervious Asphalt and concrete: Utilizing porous materials in pathways and parking areas to facilitate water permeation and mitigate heat island effects, while users can walk conveniently within the area and firefighters and security can keep direct access.
Scientific Monitoring and Community Engagement
The project integrates rigorous scientific monitoring, engaging researchers and students (fig3) in assessing the impact of these interventions on various environmental and human parameters, including:
- Biodiversity and plant productivity indices (fig4)
- Air and soil quality metrics
- Water retention assessments
- Temperature regulation
- One Health approach
- User well-being surveys
This collaborative approach not only advances academic research but also creates community involvement and raises awareness on sustainable practices.
Commitment to Ecological Transition
Through these efforts, Aix-Marseille University shows its commitment to ecological transition and sustainable development. By implementing and showcasing NbS, the university serves as a model for urban resilience. This demonstrator is also intended to display how institutions can address environmental challenges. The site is used for showcasing solutions to business communities (urban planner, building & infrastructure companies, engineering) as well as public authorities.
