Pradettes urban farm in Toulouse, is the town hall walking away from the association behind the project?
Unacceptable conditions, unread file and facade arguments… Beyond the arguments opposed by the town hall of Toulouse to justify an “unfavorable opinion” on the urban farm project, the Natures – Pradettes association denounces the lack of “seriousness” and of “sincerity” which is the basis of the position of the majority.
“They have been saying for fifteen months that we have to present a solid file and, the day we have an appointment to support it, they have not read it”, deplores Philippe Lebailly, co-president of theAssociation Natures – Pradettes which carries the project to create an urban farm in the Pradettes district in Toulouse.
Indeed, whether during the meeting organized on April 8 with the elected representatives of the majority to support this agro-urban oasis project or upon receipt of a letter notifying their opinion, the members of the Natures collective been won by the conviction that their interlocutors had buried their project without even bothering to read the file which had been given to them the previous week. Or that the latter, deploying a frontage argument, made “explain the impasse on important elements to justify an a priori end of non-receipt”.
A “misunderstanding” of the key points of the file
An accusation that they justify by a “surprising ignorance” of this 50-page document which was to be used to assess the viability and quality of the project presented. “The three chosen ones who were present didn’t even know the name of the Hundredth Monkey. However, this organization specializing in the installation of farmers is supporting us in this project and even drafted one of the two documents that we had submitted. We were very surprised and shocked. Especially since certain municipal services have accompanied us and have a good knowledge of our file, ”says Philippe Lebailly.
“The three chosen ones who were present did not even know the name of the Hundredth Monkey”
In addition, he affirms that the elected officials present also discovered, during the meeting, the sequencing of the installation in two phases. With an initial test period lasting three years before committing to a permanent model. Two fundamental aspects of the project.
“Prohibitive conditions”
Furthermore, the Natures collective justifies this feeling of a priori rejection by maintaining requirements that are incompatible with the nature of the project. Particularly the purchase of the land, for an amount of more than 3 million euros, test to accommodate the 10,000 square meter urban farm. A “prohibitive” condition, imposed from the first discussions with the community, that the members of the association are presumed questionable. “We thought it was a communication posture of the town hall to assert, if it were to commit, the extent of the effort provided. And we were convinced that it would change its position if we distributed the proof of the viability of the farm and its interest for the district”, regrets Philippe Lebailly who sees a form of “sabotage” in the stubbornness of the town hall on this indicate.
“It is a discriminating condition which makes the project in fact impossible”
“It is a discriminating condition which makes the project in fact impossible. None of the thirty urban farms we visited for inspiration works on this model “, he adds. Indeed, the project defended by the association Nature is based on a free provision of land during the first three years of the test phase, then on the signing of a regulated or emphyteutic rural lease (at least 18 years old). Alternatives not conceivable for the town hall of Toulouse which, for its part, proposed the relocation of the project to another land. An unacceptable diversion of the basic idea for its defenders.
A challenge at the heart of the Pradettes district
“The choice of the Pradettes wasteland is the subject of serious arguments. First of all because this land is in the center of the neighborhood. This makes it very accessible and represents an undeniable asset for encouraging changes in the practices of the inhabitants. Moreover, even if the farm project were abandoned, this space must remain a heat island. These are recognized environmental and quality of life issues”, lists the co-president of the association, who recalls that the farm project could allow this land to return to its original destination. indeed, before the urban expansion, these lands constituted the vegetable belt of the city.
The absence of a designated farmer
Moreover, the defenders of the urban oasis project regret that, in their response, the elected officials ignored several fundamental points. Indeed, the mail that was sent to them reproached them for not having “identified a farmer in charge of the exploitation”. While the Natures association plans the establishment of two market gardeners with the support of the ”incubator” of the Hundredth Monkey, a structure specializing in supporting agricultural projects. Finally, the association recalls that his project has the necessary funding for the material investments on the farm and an economic model deemed viable by the “obtained and recognized” structures that accompany them.
“Even if the farm project were abandoned, this space must remain a heat island”
Urban farm or urbanization
So many arguments that the members of Natures recapitulate in a letter addressed to the mayor of Toulouse. In this letter, they ask Jean-Luc Moudenc to ignore this first unfavorable opinion and decide after “a serious, transparent and sincere study of their file”. Because, according to Philippe Lebailly, this urban farm project has all the assets to convince: environmental and climatic dimensions, citizen dynamics, access to quality food and development of short circuits.
To the point that Annette Laigneau, deputy mayor in charge of urban planning, would have worried about its success. “During the meeting, Ms. Laigneau told us that if our project was accepted, she could not refuse it in other neighborhoods. She was afraid that such projects would spread and that she would no longer be able to build,” testifies Philippe Bailly. A reason for concern to propose Annette Laigneau, traveling abroad at the time of writing, was unable to explain herself. Also present at the April 8 meeting, Christophe Alvès does not have “sufficient memories”, according to the town hall, to confirm or deny this statement.
A symbolic inauguration
Thus, while awaiting the arbitration of Jean-Luc Moudenc and in order to assert the will of local residents to see the urban farm project materialize in Toulouse, the Natures Pradettes association organized, this Wednesday, April 27, a symbolic inauguration of the “Oasis de Bordeblanche” on the desired site. A symbolic demonstration which should be followed by other actions in the months to come.