The augmented valley
Vierzon - FR
Master thesis
Many medium-sized cities in France are currently experiencing an identity crisis compounded by economic and social fragility. Vierzon, with its 29,000 inhabitants, is a perfect example. This medium-sized city experienced an industrial boom in the second half of the 19th century and was severely affected by the deindustrialization process initiated in the 1970s. With the gradual departure of half of its population over a few decades, the city has now become significantly impoverished, both socially and spatially, struggling to define and embody its ambitions within its territory. The territory of the Cher and Yèvre valleys naturally emerged as a revitalization area. Once historical landscapes driving urban, industrial, and social dynamics in Vierzon, these valleys are now scarcely perceptible, static, with eclectic landscapes, subject to flooding and drought risks.
This project proposes to rewild these valleys, from the upstream to downstream landscapes, including its city center, by giving more space to rivers. The vision of an enhanced valley asserts the identity of a riverine, natural, and resilient city.