At La Défense, Europe’s largest business district, a spectacular project is underway: the transformation of the historic esplanade into a vast urban park. Stretching 600 meters, this pedestrian ribbon laid on a concrete slab from the 1960s will gradually become, by 2028, a real green lung of 5 to 6 hectares.
The goal is clear: to turn the page on the all-mineral to create a more breathable, pleasant, and climate change-adapted neighborhood. The construction project involves creating a living ground above the slab: structural reinforcement, drainage layers, deep vegetative soil, to allow for tree planting and the creation of sustainable ecosystems.
Ultimately, the esplanade will feature tree-lined promenades, playgrounds, sports facilities, and six water basins to refresh the atmosphere. In parallel, nearly 20,000 m² of spaces under the slab will also undergo redevelopment to reconnect businesses and living spaces.
Work began in 2025 and will continue in phases until 2028. An emblematic project that accompanies the transformation of La Défense into a greener, more residential, and more peaceful neighborhood.
[Context: The construction project involves converting La Défense’s historic esplanade into a large urban park by 2028. Fact Check: The project aims to create a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable neighborhood in response to climate change challenges.]
