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After school, Paris’s campus becomes a ‘citizen’s park’

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[더 나은 일상으로, 공간복지]〈8〉 Paris, France ‘Oasis Project’
In the asphalt-covered school yard
Planting plants to create an eco-friendly space… The effect of reducing the urban heat island effect
Open after school on weekdays – Saturdays… 30 schools expected to be added by the end of the year

Citizens are taking a break in the courtyard of Keler Elementary School in Paris, France, on the 16th of last month, the weekend. The city of Paris is carrying out the ‘Oasis Project’, which renovates school courtyards and opens them to nearby residents. Paris = · Provided by the Paris Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Committee (CAUE 75)

“The school yard (courtyard) has been transformed into a happy space for children and nearby residents.”

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On the 15th of last month (local time), Principal Philippe Basero, whom I met at Celler Elementary School in Paris, France, said this and laughed. The school’s 1930㎡ (approximately 580 pyeong) courtyard is used as a study space for students on weekdays and is transformed into a relaxation space for nearby residents on weekends.

As Principal Basero said, the courtyard of Keler Elementary School visited on the next day of the weekend (the 16th) was full of citizens taking a break and enjoying the autumn atmosphere. Everyone was enjoying the courtyard in their own way, including a couple pushing a stroller, a young man riding a bicycle, and a child playing in the sand. Nearby resident Jean Victor (40) was satisfied, saying, “I often bring my children because there is a safe and leisurely space in front of the house.”

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● The school courtyard has been transformed into a ‘relaxation space for residents’.

The city of Paris is carrying out the ‘Oasis Project’, which renovates school courtyards and opens them to nearby residents.

Children spending time drawing on the blackboard in the courtyard of Keler Elementary School.  Paris =  · Provided by the Paris Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Committee (CAUE 75)Children spending time drawing on the blackboard in the courtyard of Keler Elementary School. Paris = · Provided by the Paris Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Committee (CAUE 75)

As part of this project, Keler Elementary School will open the school courtyard to residents after school on weekdays and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting in 2020. There is no admission fee, but children under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. Safety personnel are on duty to prevent accidents. Principal Basero explained, “On Saturdays, programs such as gardening are held for residents.”

The City of Paris first launched the Oasis Project in September 2017. A Paris city official said, “After nearly 600 people died in the summer of 2017, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, it was pointed out that citizens needed a place to rest.”

Currently, 75 kindergartens and elementary schools in Paris are participating in the Oasis project. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that she will invite 30 additional schools to participate by the end of the year.

Children are playing in the playground equipment built in the courtyard of Maries Iles Elementary School in Paris.  Paris =  · Provided by the Paris Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Committee (CAUE 75)Children are playing in the playground equipment built in the courtyard of Maries Iles Elementary School in Paris. Paris = · Provided by the Paris Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Committee (CAUE 75)

Citizens were also enjoying a leisurely break in the courtyard (1,789㎡, approximately 540 pyeong) of Mary’s Ills Elementary School, about 3km east of Keler Elementary School. In particular, the school’s courtyard was originally paved with asphalt, but as the oasis project progressed, trees and other plants were installed. Play facilities such as slides and cabins were also created for children.

Resident Pierre Kilnis (37) said, “There are not enough parks and green spaces in the neighborhood, but I find peace of mind by looking at plants at school.”

● Community involvement in design, construction and maintenance

A characteristic of this project is that students, parents, teachers, and staff actively participate from design to construction and maintenance. Teachers and students are in constant communication with the city, advisory committee, and the Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Committee (CAUE 75) to develop a plan to transform the courtyard into an eco-friendly space. The process of establishing the design of the courtyard also reflects the characteristics of each school. Some schools have picnic zones where you can lay out mats, while others have spaces where you can grow plants.

An Oasis project official explained, “In the process of utilizing collective intelligence, the intimacy of the community increases, which also helps in successfully maintaining new public spaces.”

The city of Paris expects that this project will also reduce the urban heat island effect. The city of Paris, where the average green space per person is only about 6 m2 (approximately 1.8 pyeong), is using this project to plant as many plants as possible, including trees, in schools.

The City of Paris believes that ensuring user safety and resolving neighborhood complaints about noise will be key to future project expansion. In Paris, terrorist attacks targeting an unspecified number of people have been repeated over the past 10 years, including the simultaneous terrorist attacks in November 2015 that killed 130 people. A Paris city official said, “We are resolving safety concerns by having safety guards stationed in the school courtyard,” and added, “We will resolve issues such as children’s noise and trash through continuous communication with residents.”

A better daily life, space welfare

Paris =

Source: Donga

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