PETITE CEINTURE

The brief for this project focused on addressing the social and urban issues surrounding the rise of the “15-minute city.” Developed during my second year at Central Saint Martins, the proposal was informed by extensive research into the political and cultural debates surrounding contemporary urban planning.

Originally developed by French-Colombian urbanist Carlos Moreno, the 15-minute city proposed that essential services such as schools, healthcare, shops, and leisure spaces should exist within a 15-minute walk from residents’ homes. Although the concept became surrounded by conspiracy theories claiming it would restrict personal freedom, my research concluded that its original intention was to prioritise people’s wellbeing over car-centric urban planning.

However, my research also highlighted how many urban planning strategies often overlook historical inequalities created through technocratic and colonial planning, resulting in segregated neighbourhoods and unequal access to public services. These concerns drew parallels to Plan Voisin by Le Corbusier, which proposed the rational restructuring of Paris in the name of efficiency and modernisation.

In response, I developed Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture, a design proposal that reimagined public space as a socially inclusive and community-led environment. The project focused on providing a platform for low-income creatives to display their art, share their work, and amplify their voices within the city. By drawing audiences and tourists towards overlooked areas of Paris, the proposal aimed to redistribute cultural visibility beyond the affluent districts traditionally associated with the city.

Conceived as a nonprofit organisation and public park extending from the 14th to the 18th arrondissement, the project transformed the historic Petite Ceinture railway into a cultural pathway shaped through community participation. Visitors would have been able to walk through gardens, experience performances, engage with art, savour food, and connect with neighbours, all while encountering a more diverse perspective of Paris.