The square is still surrounded by a rich architectural heritage, including the tower, the only remaining vestige of the castle, and the Church of Saint John the Baptist in the background. However, the demolition of the main part of the town hall has enlarged the square along the contour lines but has also overloaded it with fragmented and outdated developments. Furthermore, the spread of commercial activity to the outskirts, towards the old road and the airport, has weakened the dynamism of its economic activity. Nevertheless, it remains the center of a morphological and civic system, bringing together a large number of educational establishments. This almost pedestrian campus, characterized by a maze of alleys and courtyards within the block, has a special atmosphere and enlivens this part of the city. The square also has a strong connection with the surrounding landscape. Nestled in the “cirque” of the stream, the Place des Martyrs, although enclosed, overlooks the landscape with which it is linked via the municipal park and the Rue des Poissonniers at both ends.
On this basis, the project proposes to restore the square's original topography to create a large communal space that reconnects the institutions and the urban fabric. The ground is partially unpaved, and a new dense grid of trees in the south thins out as it approaches the shopping area in the north. This greening continues through a hanging garden that leads to the terraced courtyards at the foot of the tower and schools. This hybrid space between the paved ground and the planted gardens is able to offer inclusive, comfortable, and user-friendly uses and to address climate change, taking advantage of the shade of the trees, new benches, and grassy terraces.
images : © fukuro
photographs : © maxime delvaux for the city of charleroi