Paris 2024’s Green Vision
The organizers of the Paris Olympic 2024 New Village aim to set a new standard for sustainability. They designed the village to be environmentally friendly, incorporating several innovative features to reduce carbon emissions. Their goal is to make this Olympic village a model of low-carbon construction.
Low-Carbon Apartments
The village consists of 40 different blocks, housing 2,800 apartments. These apartments generate around half the carbon emissions of traditional buildings due to energy-saving construction techniques. Furthermore, after the Olympics, the organizers will convert these apartments into homes, with at least a third allocated for public housing.
Naturally Cool Living Spaces
One of the standout features of the village is its natural cooling system. The apartments stay cool without air conditioning. They use high-performance insulation, sun shades, and a reversible underfloor plumbing system linked to a local geothermal power plant. This system draws cool water from beneath the surface in summer and heat from underground in winter, reducing operational costs and the buildings’ carbon footprint.
Concrete Improvements
In addition to the low-carbon apartments, the village’s construction involved new techniques to reduce emissions. Builders used low-carbon concrete and wood, resulting in many structures using these materials for support, facades, and floors. Additionally, they used recycled concrete as ballast and mixed it with compost to form a base layer for the gardens. Instead of focusing on their technical or economic qualities, they prioritized materials with low carbon footprints.
Real Greenery
The village includes large gardens that cover 40% of the total land space. These gardens will have 9,000 trees and shrubs, providing areas for relaxation and cooling off. A water recycling system supports the gardens, ensuring they remain lush and green.
Water Works
Moreover, a mini water treatment center on site collects and purifies wastewater, which then irrigates the gardens. An experimental building called “the Cycle building” uses purified rainwater for its toilets. The toilets separate urine and feces, which can be converted into fertilizers. Some pavements are made from recycled oyster and seafood shells, absorbing more heat than traditional tiles. Other walkways use byproducts of the paper-making industry or resin from pine trees instead of oil-based bitumen.
Circular Economy
The Olympic village uses household items that will have a second life. Suppliers had to show that they could recycle or reuse the items. The bed bases are made of reinforced cardboard, and the mattresses are manufactured from recycled fishing nets, similar to the Tokyo Olympics. Much of the street furniture is made from reclaimed wood, and some street lighting is made from recycled steel piping.
The Paris Olympic 2024 New Village is a shining example of sustainable innovation. From low-carbon apartments and natural cooling systems to recycled materials and a circular economy, the village sets a new standard for environmentally friendly construction. The lessons learned from this project will help shape future urban developments, making them more sustainable and eco-friendly. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 New from IPL365.
