About the pilot
As part of a wider redesign of the Quartier des Salines, the Rue du Pélicorne pilot focuses on reducing heat stress in one of the city’s most vulnerable areas. This central neighbourhood, integrated in the National Urban Renewal Programme, is home to many one-parent families and older residents living in social housing. During hot summers, the paved and stony environment becomes uncomfortable and unhealthy. With support from the North Sea Region (NSR) programme, partners will work together to test nature-based solutions: adding shade, planting greenery, and creating cooler outdoor spaces. This pilot also contributes to a roadmap for a city-wide Cool Network, ensuring that cooling and greening are embedded in future urban development.
Global view of the before situation
What makes this approach unique?
The Rue du Pélicorne pilot stands out because of its strong social focus. By addressing the needs of vulnerable residents from the start, the project ensures that cooling strategies do more than improve the physical environment: they directly support community health and wellbeing. The integration with the National Urban Renewal Programme also makes this pilot a powerful example of how climate adaptation can align with broader urban and social policies.
Expected results
The pilot is expected to make Rue du Pélicorne a more livable and comfortable place, particularly for older people and families. By introducing shade and vegetation, the street will become cooler and more welcoming, while also contributing to better water management and biodiversity. Long-term, the lessons learned here will guide the transformation of other parts of Saint-Omer, building towards a connected Cool Network that makes the city more resilient and inclusive.
