An immense triangular canopy full of photovoltaic sensors, 4,200m2 of gardens with 90 trees and 300 Mediterranean shrubs, airy spaces for natural ventilation… The Nice-Aéroport station, formerly Nice Saint-Augustin, which will extend over 4,000m² , is about to undergo its transformation to become “the first bioclimatic station in Europe”, in the words of the mayor of Nice, also president of the Metropolis and deputy president of the PACA Region, accompanied by the general director of SNCF Gares et Connexions.
And on Monday, Christian Estrosi and Marlène Dolveck unveiled the model of this multimodal architectural complex which will be delivered in 2028.
On foot, by tram or by bike
Christian Estrosi underlined that, from the Nice-airport station, cycle paths, tramways, buses, coaches and park and ride facilities will be connected. 700 car parking spaces and 900 bicycle parking spaces are also planned. 200 meters from Nice Côte d’Azur airport, the Grand Arénas district designed by François Leclercq is designed to combine all modes of transport.
What is a “bioclimatic” station?
“It is above all a garden station with open spaces where the rain will be collected,” underlines Raphaël Ménard, architect and president of AREP, a project management subsidiary of SNCF Gares et Connexions. “Roofs that are not solarized will collect rainwater. And on the canopy, the water will be collected by large gutters. The surface is made up of several layers with first a solar production system on the roof made up of panels photovoltaic and transparent membranes. Below will be a steel structure. Then a wooden braid will make the light filter.” 600 megawatts/hour of electricity per year will be generated. “Perhaps we will be able to make this station self-sufficient. This is the challenge of creating positive energy mobility.”
-Marlène Dolveck promises “carbon neutrality in seven years.”
-For how many travelers?
By moving the Saint-Augustin station 500 meters to the west of Nice, the number of travelers increased from 2,900 to 7,000 per day. “We hope for 10,000 to 12,000 passengers daily from 2028,” underlines Christian Estrosi.
Next step
In January 2024, the bus station will be delivered for buses from the Metropolis and the Region.
Old station?
“Everyone agrees that rail is a response to the climate emergency because the train is a carbon-free means of transport, noted Marlène Dolveck. We wanted a Nice Airport station that would be popular with accessibility for people with reduced mobility, 1,500m2 of service and shops and 600m2 of waiting room.”
