“Painting, drawing, urban ecology and landscape workshop from the Tiers-Lieu at La Verrerie in Arles.


Participatory workshops at the Tiers-Lieu at the Verrerie are based on painting, drawing, observation and scouting made by fellow citizens, to help create a shared sense of the project that weaves together plots of land and plants.

In a series of workshops led by our association's landscape architects, and with the participation of residents, fellow citizens and stakeholders, we propose a progressive exploration of the themes and issues involved in making a city.

The exploration is based on four different Tiers-Lieu in Arles, some of which are residual or neglected land:

  1. A first painting and drawing workshop explored the garden and conservatory of Tiers-Lieu of the Verrerie, as well as the green lane from the old railroad track;
  2. A second painting and drawing workshop will take place this time from the green lane - old railroad track to a second Tiers-Lieu: passing through rue Jean Mermoz, rue Henri Dunant, rue Marius Saulcy and possibly ending at the old bridge headed by two lions;
  3. Another painting and drawing workshop will take place from Place Lamartine, via Boulevard Emile Descombes, to a third Tier-Lieu: passing through Rue Mansard, Rue Camille Pelletan, Rue Mireille and possibly ending in front of the Fondation Luma and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie;
  4. A final painting and drawing workshop will take place from Place Lamartine, Boulevard Emile Descombes, to a fourth Tiers-Lieu: passing through Rue Jean Giono, Rue de la Roubine du Roi, Rue Mireille, which could lead to the Roubine du Roi waterway and the railway;

The intention is to feed the project with experiments carried out simultaneously with local residents, so that the study can be enriched by their points of view, observations and experiences, and thus gradually modify the development proposals for these spaces.

The aim is to weave the landscape around the greenways, the paths and paths that link them, and organize the city around these walked experiences, present and future.

Themes and issues to explore :

  1. Transversal essence of the terrain;
  2. Opening up neighborhoods;
  3. Diversification of plant strata;
  4. Local species, fight against invasive species;
  5. Combating soil sealing ;
  6. Creation of open spaces;
  7. Rainwater treatment at Tiers-Lieu ;
  8. Water revival in the city;

Starting on foot, the workshop group surveys the garden and conservatory of the Tiers-Lieu. The ground is acknowledged and analyzed through its topography (the shape and nature of the soil), its vegetation (the different plant strata, trees, shrubs, ground cover, meadows), its uses (observed free uses, access, formalized uses, parking, equipment, including in the extended perimeter) and its perceptions (views to and from the site, noises, smells...).

New forms or patterns


Each participant then analyzes the terrain on his or her own, scouting, sketching, photographing and taking notes. During the week that follows, the group participants choose an abstract or figurative painting as a reference, for which they have an affinity and expresses notions of space, contrast, tension, multiplicity, infinity and movement. They try to draw inspiration from it, adapting it to their perception of the spatial intentions meant for the site.

A new soft-track footbridge


To answer questions on mobility between places and the proposal to imagine cross-workshops with Archéomed, about the green lane - old railway that runs behind the Tiers-Lieu at the Verrerie site and how it could contribute to their project.

These greenways behind the Tiers-Lieu at the Verrerie would enable residents to make round trips from the Archeomed site - an economic and technological cluster dedicated to cultural and heritage professions located at 17 Chemin de Séverin- to the site of the former Trinquetaille ferry terminal and the Arles train station (via Rue Pierre-Louis Rouillard).

Part of the project would involve proposing a new soft-track footbridge on the site of the former Pont de Constantin - in continuity with the two main axis of the old railway running east-west and east-south - through the Trinquetaille district of Arles.

The Partouche and Barrière companies could be approached on these subjects, with the idea of inviting them to make a lasting contribution to the socio-economic and ecological advancement of Arles.

It also goes without saying that the city of Arles has a proactive policy for soft traffic. The aim is to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport and the development of greenways, such as the one along the old railway line in Trinquetaille, in order to connect to the green lanes already developed in Arles, as well as to the Via Rhôna.

La Fabrique terrestre, aquatique et aérienne : Project team : Christina Ottaviano, Yanru Xu, Michèle van de Roer.

Iconographic credits : DR, Droit Réservé, l’association Destination Tiers-Lieu à Arles, Françoise Lacotte ;

https://laverreriearles.fr/mission-de-service-civique-2024/ https://tierslieuarles.fr/samedi-10-juillet-2021/ https://tierslieuarles.fr/samedi-28-aout-2021/