Kodak Brownfield Site : Nature-Based Solutions Addressing Urban Heat Island Effects

How to combat urban heat island effects by transforming a brownfield site through Nature-Based Solutions?

The feedback sheets developed by CDC-Biodiversité, the French UICN Committee, and the OFB as part of the Life ARTISAN project aim to inspire public and private decision-makers, planners, forest and agricultural landowners, or protected area managers interested in implementing a Nature-Based Solutions project. They offer insights into socio-economic and ecological contexts, funding sources, stakeholders, governance, implemented actions, outcomes, monitoring indicators, success factors, and recommendations.

The rehabilitation project of the former Kodak factory in Sevran aims to combat urban heat islands by providing shade through new tree plantings and reconnecting to the Ourcq Canal, which contributes to local cooling. It also promotes biodiversity resilience by reintroducing heritage species and revitalizing soils through rewilding and depollution efforts. The project creates a sanctuary for biodiversity in the city center by diversifying tree varieties, restoring ecological continuity, and conserving open areas. Additionally, it brings socio-economic benefits by enhancing the well-being of the population with nearly 10 hectares of accessible green space and raises global awareness of urban nature restoration. Moreover, the project contributes to climate change mitigation by capturing CO2 through trees and optimizing carbon storage in restored soils.