The construction project of Europe’s first bioclimatic station at Nice Airport, announced by Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and Marlène Dolveck, General Director of SNCF Gares & Connexions, marks a key step in the development of sustainable transport infrastructure.
This multimodal exchange hub, located in the Grand Arenas district and close to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, is scheduled for completion in 2028, thereby replacing the temporary Nice Saint-Augustin station that opened in September 2022.
A Sustainable Transport Project
The TER/TGV “Nice Airport” station is distinguished by its innovative bioclimatic features. It will include a massive 4200 m² triangular canopy equipped with photovoltaic sensors, contributing to the energy self-sufficiency of the structure.
The design also incorporates 90 trees and 300 Mediterranean shrubs, promoting biodiversity and offering natural relaxation spaces.
This station, spanning 4000 m², is designed to be largely self-sufficient in terms of energy, with a solar production of 600 MWh per year.
Raphaël Ménard, architect and president of AREP, emphasizes the importance of this bioclimatic design which includes rainwater harvesting for the irrigation of green spaces and solar energy production.
Avec @Marlene_Dolveck, directrice générale SNCF @ConnectGares, nous présentons ce matin le projet de gare bioclimatique pour le pôle multimodal Nice Aéroport, une première en Europe, parfaitement adaptée aux grands défis écologiques. pic.twitter.com/YIrIYFfHOx
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) November 20, 2023
Interconnection and Enhanced Mobility
The Nice Airport multimodal hub will play a crucial role in the interconnection of different modes of transport. It will enable a direct link between Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the TGV station, TER lines, and three tramway lines, as well as urban and interurban buses.
Christian Estrosi highlights that bicycle paths and relay parking for cars (700 spaces) and bicycles (900 spaces) will also be integrated.
The proximity to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and the Grand Arenas district will promote smooth and diverse mobility, meeting the needs of modern and sustainable transport.
Impact and Predictions
The impact of Nice Airport station will be significant in terms of urban planning, mobility, and ecology. The opening of the temporary Nice Saint-Augustin station in September 2022 marked a turning point, with a significant increase in the number of travelers, rising from 2900 to 7000 per day.
By 2028, this number is expected to reach between 10,000 and 12,000 daily passengers. This increased flow of travelers illustrates the strategic importance of this multimodal hub for the region.
The project is also linked to a broader transformation of the railway network with the implementation of the European ERTMS signaling system, aimed at improving train regularity and facilitating cross-border train travel.
Technological and Environmental Innovation
The Nice Airport project stands out for its bioclimatic architecture and commitment to the environment. These technological innovations are part of a broader effort to reduce the carbon footprint and promote sustainable mobility.
Marlène Dolveck, General Director of SNCF Gares & Connexions, emphasizes the project’s carbon neutrality goal within a seven-year timeframe.
The Nice Airport station project represents a major advancement in the development of sustainable transport infrastructure.
As Europe’s first bioclimatic station, it symbolizes a new era in station design and operation, aligned with ecological objectives and sustainable mobility.
Its planned opening in 2028 will mark an important step in the transformation of Nice’s urban infrastructure and will serve as a model for future developments in this field.
Sources: Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, Nice-matin, Voyages d’Affaires, Actu.fr, Petites Affiches des Alpes-Maritimes.
