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How can we make Bagneux more familiar to its future new residents?
The project’s inspiration is the extension of Paris to its neighbourhoods within the project of Gran Paris. Within this project the city of Paris is extending its metro to multiple neighbourhoods, including Bagneux which became our focus area within the project design. The general consensus that suburbs and Bagneux in particular feel impersonal and unwelcoming upon first impression.
The methodology was to gather the preconceived perceptions of Bagneux by the residents of the area and compile them into a “universal”perception. Mental maps were utilized as a tool of subjective representation and was aimed at being used as a design concept for the future metro station and its square. The intention is to make Bagneux feel more familiar to people new to the area. This study could aid them in building a representation of their neighborhood. The hope is for the outcome of the experiments to create a dialogue about the changes of Grand Paris.
Participatory process with the residents of Arceuil Cachan.
Reflecting upon the mental maps above, our design research strategy had to be adjusted for us to be able to locally integrate each residents perception into a “universal” perception. Therefore we adjusted the approach with printing the map of the neighbourhood and let our participants trace over it. Each drawing showcased the personal history and experience of each individual’s spacial perception. The new approach was to ask people to draw their commute to work, the location of their favorite cafés, etc. The map should help with orientation as well as provide new points of interest.
The results of the second study proved to have more value as the map underlay guided our volunteers. The intimidation factor was greatly reduced as the volunteers were not asked to start from nothing. This essence became the concept of our design proposal.
The design proposal synchronizes with the opening of the new Bagneux metro station in 2020. This site was chosen due to its central location within the developing surrounding area. Residents and visitors would be introduced to a sizeable map of the Bagneux and its adjacent area drawn on the floor of the main square, between the two metro entrances. Participants would then be invited to illustrate their memories, tips, trips, and inspirations for the future of Bagneux. As the map grows rich with insights from the public, it becomes it’s own point of interest and begins to draw newcomers and onlookers to the main square. The end result is a collective gathering of perceptions, making Bagneux feel more familiar.