Event. 1 p.m. The streets around the two towers are all secure… A few steps from the site or in front of giant screens, the Meldois gathered in large numbers to experience this historic explosion. The emotion is palpable… 1:05 p.m. After a countdown started by Jean-François Copé, the Camargue and Chambord towers were struck down before our eyes, two seconds apart eachSunday December 15, 2024. A highly symbolic demolition which was carried out in the colors of the French flag (blue, white, red). A new page in history being written.
Neighborhood by neighborhood, Meaux changes its face. Under a massive cloud of dust, the Camargue and Chambord towers have indeed disappeared… From the roof of Caravelle Space, Jean-François Copé lived this moment alongside Jean-Louis Borloobehind the creation of the National Agency for Urban Renewal. “ This is a new stage in the history of the town of Meaux. This demolition of the two towers is an exceptional moment that we share with the Meldoises. There are a lot of emotions because many of my constituents have lived in these towers. It's a slice of life… It's for a better future. All the towers we demolished… To the instead, these are new neighborhoods. Thanks to public action in France, we can succeed in this type of urban renovation. » In 2028, a major project will come to an end… In 2004, Jean-François Copé launched its flagship operation: the demolition of the twenty towers to build buildings on a human scale (four to five floors).
A new step taken. As part of the New National Urban Renewal Program (NPNRU), the Beauval district gradually changes face to offer residents a green environment and a peaceful daily life. After Anjou and Alsace, these are the Camargue and Chambord towers who were struck by lightning. For what ? “ The idea is to offer a secure living environment where people are no longer afraid of each other. At the same time, we are able to implement artwork a city (and life) project where everyone finds their place. Neighborhood by neighborhood, we try to offer something that suits the history of our city and the expectations of our residents.. » Since 2004, these are buildings on a human scale which replaced the towers of around ten floors… A new living environment for the inhabitants of the Beauval district. “ The next step, it is to continue to renovate the Beauval district, that of Dunant is completely finalized. And I don't forget all the renovation work we have to do in the city center. » For this historic day, Jean-François Copé surrounded himself with another political figure: Jean-Louis Borlooformer minister of the city. “ It's a human story. Ultimately, all of this is for children, youth and families. In a society which has lost the sense of the collective… Basically, it is an act of fraternity. For around twenty years, I have greatly admired what has been done in Meaux. It takes a leader to federate all that… And there, frankly, there is one. » The redevelopment of the city? A work praised by the former MP.
« I think it's a good way to show that politics serves a purpose. ! »
Four years of work for a few seconds of history. Since 2004, several towers have already disappeared… On Sunday December 15, 2024, a new page in Meld's history was written before our eyes. “ It's a few seconds… And it's a long-term project. When we have to relocate 169 families in each of the two towers… That's 400 homes that need to be found. In truth, it takes almost three years to rehouse all the different households with individual treatment of each situation.. » On a case-by-case basis, the teams managed to find better accommodation to residents. Once the last families are housed… Another project begins: deconstruction. “ For several months, we collect materials, recycle and weaken the towers so that they can implode.. » 5,4, 3, 2 and 1… 1:05 p.m.! When the towers explode, childhood memories resurface… and a new project begins. For three to four months, the Pays de Meaux Habitat teams work in the shadows to clean up the site (between 40,000 and 45,000 tonnes of debris). “ Provence has not been imploded. It will be eaten away like the rest of the parking slab which has not been demolished. » The next step? The construction of buildings on a human scale!
What are the next stages of the project? On a human scale, new buildings must be beautiful and functionallike the new constructions (on the site of the previous Alsace and Anjou towers). “ After this demolition, the neighborhood will continue to transform. It is in line with the various projects that we have carried out around urban renewal. The idea is quite simple… Break up large complexes to rebuild housing on a human scale (with four or five floors). » There should be social housing, housing in accession to social property and so-called private housing (in classic accession). The accommodation will be surrounded by secure spaces and living spaces. “ We want to create new blocks as we did in district A or district C (of Beauval). Currently, we are in the consultation phase with the various promoters to choose the first promoter (to position yourself in a first cycle). » In a rather classic and contemporary style, future tenants will benefit from a breathtaking view of the Canal de l'Ourcq. “ In the new roads, we are integrating cycle paths… There is a certain amount of equipment that will be mutated (the crèche will be rebuilt, the Charles Cros Social Space). » Neighborhoods almost completely renovated to reconnect the four corners of the city.
The divide between the city center and the neighborhoods, a daily struggle. Beyond human-scale buildings and the improvement of the living environment, the entire city is in the process of reconnecting, district by district. “ Historically, the residents (formerly Pierre-Collinet) said that they were not going to the city center… They said that they were going to Meaux. There really was this disconnect. Our entire strategy is to ensure the creation of public facilities in the Beauval and Dunant district which radiate across the urban area. » Sports or cultural facilities that allow all Meldois to move around town… and to pass freely between the different districts. Recently, a bridge was even created to connect the Beauval district to Dunant. “ This is also what we want in terms of mobility. » By transport, Meldois can easily go to the cinema, the market or even the station.
Heading towards 2027-2028. This is the last stage of this major project… In October 2024, the first exchanges with the inhabitants of the Aquitaine and Argonne towers have started. “ We have already attacked what we call the rehousing of the Aquitaine and Argonne towers. A few weeks ago, we met the residents (in a public meeting). The Pays de Meaux Habitat teams have started to set a certain number of appointments to find out the family composition and their wishes for rehousing. We have already started to make a certain number of allocations to support these households. » In 2027, all residents will be rehoused… The last two towers will be demolished (at the latest) in 2028.
It's a new page in the history of Meaux… The explosion of the Camargue and Chambord towers attracted many spectators. A historic day filled with emotions for the former tenants who spent a large part of their lives there. Relive this event in pictures.
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