Seventy years after its design by architect Charles Gustave Stoskopf, the Haut de Mont-Mesly neighborhood in Créteil is undergoing a profound transformation. Spearheaded by Créteil Habitat and the Grand Paris Sud Est Avenir territory as part of an ANRU project, this urban and landscape renewal initiative aims to transform the 35-hectare housing complex into a true "park-city." Orchestrated by the firm Péna Paysages, the redevelopment is based on three guiding concepts: creating a fluid residential mosaic free of fences at the base of the buildings; linking urban hubs via walkways and public squares; and developing a dense urban forest to counterbalance the horizontal nature of the built environment.
South of Avenue du Docteur Paul Casalis, the landscape has been softened through earthworks creating mounds 2 to 3 meters high, which now host a recreational park featuring wooden play structures. This area is enveloped by over 1,000 new forest trees (oaks, maples, and ashes) supplemented by fruit and ornamental species, while pine trees were excluded to prevent the proliferation of processionary caterpillars. Particular attention was paid to environmental water management, relying on 100% natural infiltration through stabilized pathways, parking areas paved with permeable crushed-shell pavers, and a network of landscaped swales oversized to absorb heavy rainfall. North of the avenue, the transformation is equally radical, featuring the demolition of massive apartment blocks replaced by human-scale residences arranged around a small wood and a central square adorned with a stone fountain. Scheduled for 2022–2027 at a cost of €10 million (excluding tax), this large-scale project nonetheless presents the challenge of long-term management for this new ecosystem. Maintaining the thousand or so trees and complex shrub layers requires additional resources—estimated at a minimum of two extra municipal staff members. While horticultural maintenance is currently handled by private contractors as part of the construction contract, the city of Créteil is already adjusting its differentiated management approach; it is prioritizing landscape quality to encourage respect for the site and foster a sense of lasting ownership of this tranquil living environment among residents.
From Ecological Innovation to the 2026 Landscape Awards!
After receiving the "100 Innovative and Ecological Neighborhoods" label in 2022, the Haut du Mont-Mesly district in Créteil has been selected for this prestigious national competition.
This major urban renewal project proves that it's possible to increase density while also increasing green spaces. Goodbye to concrete jungles: hello to an urban forest of 1,000 trees, more permeable soils, and spaces preserved for biodiversity.
Designed for the well-being of its current and future residents, the new Mont-Mesly combines:
Pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Local shops and public amenities.
Sustainable housing that promotes social diversity.
A comprehensive transformation that embodies the municipality's vision: an aesthetically pleasing, vibrant, and resolutely sustainable living environment.
Two New Swimming Sites in Joinville-le-Pont and Maisons-Alfort
Paris Est Marne & Bois and Péna Paysages are spearheading an ambitious project to create swimming areas along the Marne River in the towns of Joinville-le-Pont and Maisons-Alfort. Designed to reflect the unique character of each town, these new zones provide residents with dedicated spaces for swimming. These historic locations once allowed people to dive straight into the Marne; today, in collaboration with the mayors of both towns, we have decided to bring them back to life.
The project aims to combine ecological preservation with accessibility for all. Each site features two pools (one for children and one for adults), a range of amenities—such as sunbathing areas, restrooms, and playgrounds—and a beautifully landscaped, green setting that ensures a delightful experience. The goal is for local residents to reclaim the Marne and breathe new life into the river.