Euroméditerranée II a new sustainable model

This contribution aims to examine new strategies for urban regeneration, based on the enhancement of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and the acknowledgement of environmental sustainability principles. Our main research hypothesis will show how sustainability rules are now the changing vectors of Mediterranean cities, involving actors, crafts, inhabitants and users. The preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and a conscious use of natural resources are essential factors for a positive change in the development of the city. Sustainable projects are undertaken to realize news city districts, but also to the enhancement of historic city centres and to the requalification of waterfronts and abandoned industrial areas. The objectives of these new urban strategies are the economic end social progress, the increase of quality of life and the development of sustainable tourism. The article analyses Euroméditerranée II (2008-2030), the second step of the Euroméditerranée project (1995-2015), for the city of Marseille. Euroméditerranée II is an important project of socio-economic and sustainable urban renewal that will increase the attraction of the northern city district and the former port area. This major project aims to realize a new eco-city inside the city and to preserve urban heritage through environmental sustainability principles. Euroméd II is the first grate example of Mediterranean sustainable district. The objective of its creators is to realize a new sustainable model for Mediterranean’s cities. A different model compared to sustainable cities of Northern Countries, which have a different climatic, economic and social reality. Finally, this ambitious project aims to set Marseille again in the core of its region and the whole Mediterranean area.