“The Little Seminary. What does that mean to you?” I ask. Rue du Petit Séminaire. It is a street with a story etched in every stone. It is located in the northeast of Marseille. The 13th arrondissement contains it. The street sits between the Maurelle valley and the Jarret valley near Frais Vallon.
Let’s rewind to the late 1950s. The Cité du Petit Séminaire emerged between 1958 and 1960. The architect George Candilis designed it. Its purpose was to address Marseille’s post-war shantytowns. The cité consisted of 240 low-cost homes. These homes were spread across four buildings along Rue de la Maurelle. The planned road network was not fully realized. Tram service stopped in 1964. A bus line was not created until the 1980s.
From 1976 to 1986, Rue du Petit Séminaire saw a unique rehabilitation. CERFISE led this effort. It included architects, sociologists and photographers. They played mediators between residents and the HLM office.
However, the 1990s brought decline. Buildings and public spaces deteriorated. A 2018-2019 study confirmed rehabilitation was impossible. Demolition occurred between 2020 and 2024.
Rue de la Maurelle is key to the Petit Séminaire area. It is located in a small valley. Pavilions mix with large apartment buildings here. The Grand Verger co-op sits beside the Ruches social housing.
Current plans focus on green space. This includes public spaces and infrastructure. The goal is to use the area’s landscape and trees. This green project addresses complex issues. It manages rainwater runoff and creates community spaces. These spaces promote ecological continuity. They also encourage activities for all ages.
The urban project renovates existing housing. It also creates new, quality housing. This includes both social and market-rate options. Plans also improve schools and social services. La Maurelle’s community center will see increased activity. Social, support and sports programs are all part of the plan.
Rue de la Maurelle is essential. It is a mobility corridor in a natural valley. It is known as a flood zone between Saint Julien and the Jarret Valley. The aim is to make it a metropolitan green corridor.
The greenway project combines landscaping and infrastructure. It adapts rainwater management to cut flood risks. It also protects the local ecosystem. Green corridors are developing. The project supports walking and biking. It improves public transport access. This reduces car use in the area. The road network is being reworked.
New features include sports paths and water play areas. A park will connect Petit Séminaire to nearby hills. A central activity space will sit at Rue de la Maurelle and Rue Marius Briata. This space will link the school and the new park.
The vision extends beyond Rue de la Maurelle. It aims to create a green street. This street would be a model for climate change adaptation in Mediterranean cities. It will act as a cool island and manage flooding during storms.
This greenway will link the neighborhood. It supports mobility and public transport. It also promotes social cohesion. All residents can find a place. This includes longtime residents and newcomers. Schoolchildren, seniors and Maison pour tous users are welcome. This redevelopment transforms neglected green spaces.
The greenway and park will boost biodiversity. These spaces sit next to Ruches Nord. They are enclosed along Rue de la Maurelle. They run between Rue de la Maurelle and Rue André Suares.
So how can a landscape project serve everyone? How can roads and public spaces promote walking and biking? What materials ensure climate resilience and infrastructure durability? How can we view development as evolving with the seasons? How can we reconnect landscapes and support ecological continuity? How do we integrate public safety into public space design?
Petit Séminaire is evolving. It is an area moving toward a greener future. It balances community needs and environmental concerns. It addresses past neglect with forward-thinking design.