Aix will assess the condition of the center’s buildings by drone

Capture, classify, raise awareness. These three words summarize, in broad terms, the “building vigilance plan” announced by the City during a press conference held this Wednesday. From January, it will be possible to see a Semepa drone flying over the roofs of buildings in the historic center of Aix. It is the tool of a vast campaign to raise awareness of the risks that old buildings may ultimately present.. The first sectors affected by surveillance will be Tanneurs, Cardeurs and Saint-Sauveur, an area where buildings dating from before 1974 are concentrated. “ This corresponds to the information and vigilance needs of owners and co-owners. In fact, these are two actions in one. : very strong awareness of stakeholders and at the same time, drone passages. It is a deep awareness action », summarizes the mayor (UDI) Sophie Joissains. First step in this registered prevention mission: identify, via a visual diagnosis, the defective roofs of 2,800 buildings in the city center. “ Most old buildings do not have concrete foundations. When the roof deforms, it is because the walls have moved underneath, explains Jean-Louis Vincent, town planning assistant. We also note that work carried out by individuals in the basements could have weakened buildings, we must be vigilant », adds the city councilor, also highlighting the water flows in the basement of Aix. Fifteen piezometers have already been installed in the old center to monitor the evolution of the water table.

Second step therefore, classify the buildings identified according to reporting levels A, B, C or D, the last indicating significant disorder « with potential danger » et « need for building security “. After assessment, owners will be notified of the work to be undertaken.

Massive awareness campaigns will take place in parallel with real estate players, unions, landlords, etc. If the idea is « a first », it is only limited to prevention: the owners have sole responsibility for starting the work. « We can remind owners and project managers that they are obliged to keep their property in good condition. We will offer them support, insists Eric Chevalier, deputy for monitoring major projects and president of Semepa. But the responsibility for the good condition of the building rests entirely with the owner », he insists.