Campus design, Nature-based solutions

The European CARDIMED (Climate Resilience in the Mediterranean) project is closely linked to the waterproofing project supported by the Agence de l'Eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse on the Aix Marseille Université campuses. This project has identified the Saint-Charles and Saint-Jérôme campuses as demonstration sites for nature-based solutions to the waterproofing/vegetation operations taking place there. The main objectives of this project are to infiltrate rainwater on site, restore soil life, develop biodiversity through campus revegetation, combat heat islands and improve the living environment for users.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to directly address societal challenges in an efficient and adaptive manner, while ensuring human well-being and producing benefits for biodiversity". On the Saint-Charles and Saint-Jérôme campuses, a number of solutions have been proposed and implemented.

Firstly, surface waterproofing. The aim is to remove impermeable surfaces to improve water infiltration and reduce runoff. This involves removing layers such as asphalt or concrete, to restore the soil's natural permeability, or replacing them with permeable surfaces, creating pathways for water to penetrate the soil. 

On the vegetation side, we're planning to plant urban micro-forests. Urban micro-forests are densely wooded and highly diversified areas designed to develop in micro-spaces in urban environments. They include various elements such as groups of trees, individual trees, street trees, park trees, etc. Urban forests can also provide opportunities for the supply of foodstuffs such as fruit.

Infiltration ditches can also be set up. An infiltration channel is a linear, gently sloping, vegetated ditch, usually established in urban areas near or between roads to reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. They absorb, store and transport runoff water, eliminating pollutants and sediments filtered by the vegetation and soil layer.

Action monitoring by researchers and students

Parallel to the implementation of solutions, scientific monitoring is carried out by researchers and teacher-researchers, and also involves students. The aim is to measure the impact of these developments on biodiversity, air, water and soil quality, air temperature reduction and user well-being.

Are you a staff member or student on the Saint-Charles campus? The effects of the CARDIMED project are already visible on the Saint-Jérôme site and will be visible on the Saint-Charles site from summer 2025. Here is a list of the actions carried out or planned in the coming months:

• Disconnection of the surfaces concerned from the stormwater or combined water network,
• Re-vegetation of spaces, for example: improving local biodiversity,
• Planting of trees and shrubs (already more than 65 on the Saint-Jérôme site)
• Installation of permeable pavements,
• Creation of infiltration ditches,
• Improvement of PMR access,
• Improvement of the living environment for local users,
• Widening of crosswalks