Les terrasses de Coquelles / Zone d'activités

The PALME approach on the Terrasses de Coquelles site

inouit — 2007-10-16T15:47:27Z

There are three main advantages in adopting the PALME APPROACH for the Terrasses de Coquelles site :

Guaranteeing the environmental continuity and sustainable development of the site through a long-term vision of its development. This is ensured by the discussions between the different parties concerned and the signing of the PALME charter.
Creating a new reference in terms of welcoming new companies that care about environmental concerns and wish to portray a positive image of their actions.
Offering services that are adapted to the companies that set up here

It is important to underline that the PALME charter is not a contractual document. It is a commitment “in good faith” between economic and associative institutions that are aware of the importance of sustainable development.

The Terrasses de Coquelles PALME charter was signed on October 28th by the members of the PALME committee.

The application of this PALME charter is organised into four main themes :

Every day life in the business park (organising the installation of companies / proposing complementary services for those companies / diversifying the transport modes within the business park)
Landscaping and upkeep (keeping the site attractive throughout its lifespan / helping clients and investors to realise their own projects / guaranteeing balanced public/private sector management of green areas economically and with respect for the environment)
Water management (designing, building and maintaining the water recovery and drainage network in common areas and on each unit)
Environmentally-friendly buildings and activities (promoting the ‘sustainable building’ approach for all structures on the zone / promoting an environmentally-friendly waste management programme on site)

These priorities will be followed up by the PALME committee who will meet up at least once a year.

Certain action has already been taken both during the feasibility study and during the servicing works. For a clearer idea, here are a few examples :

Maintenance of the park by farmers

Landscaping and upkeep

A ‘pre-greening' of the site was carried out during the servicing works in order to enhance the ‘sustainable building' potential of the plant. The idea was to guarantee a varied flora and fauna, provide protection from the prevailing winds, and insulate the zone from noise coming from the motorway…
The business park's upkeep is assigned to farmers who operated in the area before construction work commenced. Their mission is to work on site for the whole of the business park's lifespan planting environmentally-friendly trees and shrubs using green fertilisers. This will guarantee the upkeep of the landscaping in the long-term.

Water management in landscape

Water management

All surface water in common areas is to be absorbed into the ground through landscaped ditches and infiltration gutters.
As for treatment of rain water in each unit, we have created a recommendations booklet that will be passed on to each investor.

Environmentally-friendly buildings and activities

Each application for a building permit will be examined by our urban architecture advisor who will make sure that urban planning rules and the Terrasses de Coquelles charter are respected.

What is behind the PALME approach?

inouit — 2007-10-16T15:32:06Z

The PALME approach was created by the national PALME association, created in 1997, which grouped together different organisations actively working to promote sustainable development. Principally, it acts an exchange forum for sharing experiences and making common tools available.

The PALME approach is applied to projects where economic, social and environmental considerations are major factors in terms of sustainable development.

Of course, when it comes to business park development, landscaping is a major concern but the PALME approach does not end there. Other important themes include urban coherence, controlling pedestrian and traffic flow, controlling environmental impact, maintaining public health, and land management.

The PALME approach relating to business parks requires the setting up of a consultation committee involving all the different partners concerned.

A plan of action on how to protect the environment and how to provide excellent service to companies is drawn up following discussions between the committee members.

This action plan then becomes a PALME charter and is co-signed by all the members of the PALME committee.

In some cases, the PALME approach is essential to putting in place an environment management system (norm ISO 14001) that leads to “gestionnaire du territoire" certification.

Eurotunnel: a shining example in terms of architecture and ecology

inouit — 2007-10-16T11:06:43Z

Eurotunnel's landscaping

The Terrasses de Coquelles business park lies in the heart of the Mixed Development Zone (ZAC) of the French Channel Tunnel terminal and benefits directly from the high-quality facilities already installed by Eurotunnel.

In terms of landscaping, signage, public fittings and buildings, Eurotunnel has made every effort to ensure that the ZAC is a shining example. The company sought advice from the very best architects and planners to make it what it is today.

The urban planning and landscaping is the work of the urban architects Berger and Guérin, from the Signes agency, one of the co-designers of the Parc André Citroën in Paris.

Yann Kersalé, who will forever be known for lighting up the Champs Elysées, designed the dynamic-lighting columns. Paul Andreu, who brought to us some of the world’s most impressive airports such as Roissy, designed the Cité de l’Europe shopping centre and Jean-Michel Wilmotte designed Marques Avenue, the huge designer outlet complex.

But for Eurotunnel, architectural quality goes hand in hand with respect for the environment. It was this very factor that led the governments on both sides of the channel to award Eurotunnel the fixed rail link contract.

Lighting of the Cité Europe by Yann Kersalé

The company’s maintenance and operational set-ups are a perfect example of this. They blend in perfectly with ZAC’s surroundings which include 300 hectares of greenery in a total surface area of 700 hectares. As soon as construction work was completed, Eurotunnel adopted its own unique green area management policy and launched a long-term flora and fauna scheme.

This ecological follow-up programme, carried out by the ‘Groupe Ornithologique du Nord’ since 1993, has highlighted the French site’s contribution to the nation’s environmental heritage.

The Greylag goose continues to nest on site and the local Northern lapwing population is one of the largest throughout the region. The first invertebrate inventories indicate the presence of dragonflies, an increasingly rare occurrence in modern-day Europe.

inouit — 2007-10-16T10:44:55Z

Awash with breathtaking scenery, the Côte d’Opale, a protected stretch of coastline with many an unspoilt corner, is unique in its diversity. Long and beautiful soft, sandy beaches draw outdoor enthusiasts from far and wide. Speed sailing, wind surfing, horse riding or quite simply walking along the cliffs atop Cap Blanc Nez and Cap Gris Nez are popular activities, whatever the weather! Our visiting English and Belgian friends are spoilt for choice when it comes to golf. From links courses to forest courses, there is always a new challenge to take on.

Further inland from Calais and Boulogne, the countryside is perfect for languid hikes or bike rides. What better way to discover the rich cultural heritage that still exists today.

The Côte d’Opale is also an important stop on the gastronomy circuit. Numerous restaurants with Michelin stars and ‘toques’ are on hand to cater for even the most demanding of food-lovers.

Many cultural events also make sure that the Côte d’Opale continues to vibrate to the rhythm of fun and cordiality - the Côte d’Opale Music Festival and the Carnival of Dunkirk to name but two.

The region’s universities continue to educate local youngsters whose role will be to preserve this land of exception.

The Terrasses de Coquelles business park is right in the heart of this privileged country where tradition and modernity live side by side in total harmony. No other region can lay claim to such an ‘art de vivre’.