Solution proposed by : Plantes et Cite
Ekolo Mundo does not control the feasibility or viability of the proposed solutions
Structure : Plants and the City
Difficulty level :
facile
Objective
Description
Soil sealing is a widespread and growing phenomenon in our cities. While soil sealing has historically been justified by public health concerns, it also meets very practical expectations regarding mobility and housing, linked to the massive urbanization of territories.
Paradoxically, urban soils—which support the lives of the vast majority of the population—have long been neglected by research. Yet they are closely linked to major environmental challenges.
Soil sealing, for example, has serious consequences for the intensification of flooding and the development of urban heat islands. It is in this context that the DÉsimperméabilisation des Sols, Services Écosystémiques et Résilience des Territoires (DESSERT) project was launched in 2021, with the aim of better understanding the condition, functioning, and capacity of urban soils to provide ecosystem services before and after de-impermeabilization. Based on an assessment of current sealing practices, the project also aims to describe de-sealing projects and their implementation from an operational perspective.
This guide, produced by DESSERT’s multidisciplinary partners, thus offers guidance on designing de-impermeabilization projects based on scientific findings, in addition to explaining the various benefits of de-impermeabilization. Beyond a description of the steps and documents required to successfully carry out these projects, it highlights the fundamental role of soils in achieving cities with high levels of ecological functions and ecosystem services.
Illustrated with numerous examples, it is primarily aimed at landscape designers, urban planners, and consulting firms specializing in soils and the environment, while aiming to be accessible to anyone wishing to (re)discover urban soils.
Difficulty level: Easy
