Metabolism and Urban Design: Insights from the Champs–Elysées, Paris

Claire Doussard (), Peter G. Rowe, Pauline Detavernier and Boya Guo
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Claire Doussard: École Spéciale d’Architecture, UMR AUSser 3329, CNRS, 254 Boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris, France
Peter G. Rowe: Harvard Graduate School of Design, 48 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Pauline Detavernier: ENSA Paris Malaquais (LIAT) and PCA Stream, 56 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003 Paris, France
Boya Guo: Harvard Graduate School of Design, 48 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: The urban metabolism concept is crucial for understanding city–environment interactions. Yet, its use in urban design is limited, and the examination of diverse design hypotheses with the potential to influence metabolic activities is seldom undertaken. This research addresses this gap and aims to analyze how the concept of metabolism (1) Can be leveraged by professionals for making urban design hypotheses, and (2) allows for the assessment of each of these hypotheses to reduce adverse environmental impacts and inform urban design decisions. Focusing on Paris’ Champs–Elysées redesign, in collaboration with PCA-STREAM, an urban design and architecture firm, this research employs fieldwork observations, tenant/store owner interviews, and specific metabolic models for water, energy, and materials. The results demonstrate that while redesigning the avenue’s public space potentially impacts the whole Champs–Elysées metabolism, this impact remains relatively limited. Intervening on objects with higher metabolic activities and using more efficient technologies might be more fruitful in terms of adverse environmental impact reduction, at least in this context.

Keywords: metabolism; urban design; urban development; water; energy; material (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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