TreeParker at Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Troyes

During the redevelopment of Place Saint-Pierre in Troyes, the TreeParker system by GreenMax was chosen to enable trees to grow sustainably beneath an intensively used square. Thanks to smart underground root space and careful archaeological research, a future-proof public space was created in which heritage and urban greenery come together.

In 2016–2017, the historic Place Saint-Pierre, directly beside the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Troyes, was redeveloped. The aim was to transform the stony and heavily paved cathedral square into a more attractive place to spend time that better matched the monumental value of its surroundings. In addition, the square needed to offer more space for greenery. The redevelopment included the cathedral forecourt and adjacent streets.

A key challenge was to create sustainable tree pits in an environment with intensive use, underground infrastructure and high load-bearing requirements. For this reason, the TreeParker system by GreenMax was selected. This modular underground tree pit system makes it possible to install large volumes of uncompacted root space beneath paving, while the surface remains accessible for pedestrians and maintenance vehicles.

Creating sustainable tree pits for the trees required an innovative approach. The planting areas had to be excavated to a depth of approximately 1.5 metres, in the middle of a historic area around the cathedral. For this reason, extensive archaeological research was carried out in advance. This careful preparation highlights the ambition of the city of Troyes to achieve future-proof greening without compromising the historical character of the location.

The result is a cathedral square where cultural heritage and urban greenery reinforce one another. The trees provide shade, cooling and atmosphere, while the design respects the monumental appearance of the cathedral. This has created a future-proof public space ready for the challenges of a changing climate.