8.3. Daily well-being, an imperative for success

The old docks of the island, destined for several years to the banana trade, are rehabilitated at the end of the 2000s and are transformed into a place of life where it is possible to eat, go out to bars, to dance, to be outdoors and indoors. By creating this open belvedere on the Loire it is decided to keep the harbour and minimalist image of the industrial times.

Thus, by distinguishing between its history, cultural activity and nocturnal activities, the island creates an environment aimed at all types of people and creates a rich place of life. The west point would be dedicated to the culture and entertainment. The creation district is similar to the Ørestad north district. It was decided during the development of the plans that this district would be destined to an approach of teaching, of cultural awakening and bubbling of the creative arts. In doing so, Nantes School of Architecture was the first to settle on the island, today joined by the School of Fine Arts. This place, to combine, under the old rehabilitated halls of ALSTOM, 5 areas of creative industries such as communication, design, the performing arts, architecture, visual arts. In addition, several exhibition sites, regularly renewed, were created to keep a continuous effervescence.

8.3. Daily well-being, an imperative for success

From the study of these two projects and their intentions, it is possible to identify several similarities and differences that make them unique. In general, looking at the global arrangement of their districts, it is already possible to identify these great similarities. The same layout schemes were applied to both projects. At Ørestad a district dedicated to culture and studies, then a natural reserve of green space connected to a business district remarkable by its gigantism, its hotels and a last space reserved for housing and daily life with beautiful, experimental, modern and ecological buildings. Nantes, develops on these existing districts, but in smaller portions, giving life to 7 districts against 4. These 7 districts have the same combination, the East point of the island is a natural place connected to the business district Euronantes which is part of the Beaulieu district, mainly represented by the commercial centre of the same name and some residential buildings. Continuing from east to west, enclave between the district Beaulieu and the district of the creation the districts Mangin, Foundries and Republic bridges, these districts are composed of old industrial sites rehabilitated in modern buildings with high environmental responsibilities and historical buildings, these are the districts similar to the residential part of Ørestad then the district of the creation which is similar to the northern district of Ørestad, a real invitation to culture and art. But only one district, corresponding to more than a quarter of the surface of the island

is differentiated. Indeed, the entire western point of the island is dedicated to a place of life, celebration and discovery through its attractions, bars and restaurants. I think that it is this last district which is making the biggest difference between our two projects, apart the gigantic dimension of the business area of Ørestad. If we are looking closer to the Euronantes district and the Ørestad city district we can see many common points as we have already said. But where Nantes decided to move away its financial district from the heart of its island, Ørestad placed it in the middle of its centre. This means, that if you are living in the south Ørestad and you want to go for a walk in the Amager Fælled reserve, you have, before reach this point, to cross the largest district of the neighbourhood which is completely empty during the weekend, this explain better where the "ghost city" nickname comes from. Both cities have been clearly well-developed in transports. They are both connected, to airport, train station, they have also their own metro/tramway lines, bus, etc. The housing has been thinking for well-living and creates meetings. Culture seems to have taken an important place during the planning of these two projects. Both have a neighbourhood dedicated to knowledge, culture and art. Universities, places that are conducive to creation, dedicated to this, several art infrastructures, etc. It is an indispensable element in the creation of such neighbourhoods and none of them has underestimated it. But an essential element to any neighbourhood and that seems to have been "forgotten" in Ørestad is the creation of infrastructure to bring together, to entertain. Everything has been thought for the well-being, but forgetting what makes a city its effervescence, its places of life, bars, restaurants, discotheques. The cultural approach is mandatory as much as the quotidian one. Who wants to live somewhere that you are going out of your house and you do not see anything at your doorstep? Not even a natural landscape, but a large street with no one or few people. Even if the city centre of Copenhagen is 15minutes far, your living place is almost the half of your lifetime. And the creation of huge shop centre cannot replace the life feeling when you have nothing to do around it. The sensation of perfection can even sometimes be oppressive.