Place Saint-Sernin in Toulouse finalist for a European prize
Place Saint-Sernin in Toulouse was one of the finalists for the European Prize for Urban Public Space. Even if it did not award it the victory, the jury salutes the creation of a “peaceful public space” in the city center.
Pride. A candidate among 326 other urban developments from 35 countries, Place Saint-Sernin in Toulouse can boast of having been part of of the five finalists for the European Prize for Urban Public Space, appointed on November 15 in Barcelona. Created by the Contemporary Cultural Center of Barcelona, this competition was born twenty years ago. Every two years, it rewards projects for the creation, conservation and improvement of public space in European cities.
For this eleventh edition, the first prize was not awarded to Place Saint-Sernin. It goes back to the restoration of Catharijnesingel, in the city of Utrecht (Netherlands). This old highway was demolished to be retransformed into a green space, crossed by a canal. Also among the finalists: the temporary swimming pool of Joseph Flow in Brussels (Belgium), the community gardens of Sporta Pils in Riga (Latvia) and the courtyard of the cathedral of Lund (Sweden).
A “peaceful public space” in the center of Toulouse
After four years of work, Place Saint-Sernin, with an area of 18,000 m2, has also been returned to pedestrians. It is now planted with more than 150 trees and has many green spaces, especially around the Basilica of Saint Sernina jewel of Romanesque art listed as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).
Even if he did not grant him victory, the jury evoked the creation of a “peaceful public space” in the historic center of Toulouse, which “succeeded both in enhancing the Romanesque basilica and in harmoniously integrating vegetated and convivial spaces open around the building”. “It perfectly embodies our vision of the city of tomorrow: a city where nature reclaims its rights and magnifies our historical heritage, while paying for spaces where the inhabitants of Toulouse enjoy meeting up”, prospers the mayor of toulouse Jean-Luc Moudenc.