Planning green spaces for seaside resorts developed on the Languedoc Rousillon coast

Abstract

The decision to develop the Languedoc Roussillon coast was made by the French government in 1962. Work has been organized and led by an interdepartmental organization (“mission”) created by the government for this purpose, in coordination with local departments concerned. The departments are represented by development corporations, financed by both public and private funds. The Compagnie Nationale d'Aménagement du Bas-Rhone Languedoc took part in this development by designing green spaces for the resort towns of La Grande Motte, Carnon, Cap d'Agde, Gruissan, Leucate, and more recently. Saint Cyprien. The geographical location, soil conditions, climate and the effects of salty spindrift were limiting factors that had to be taken into consideration in planning the green spaces. The development of such extensive areas of green space in the seaside resorts led to a rapid expansion of nurseries in a region where horticultural traditions had been minimal. It also led to the cultivation of plants that previously had not be widely used in the area ( Atriplex halimus, Pittosporum tobira, Elaegnus angustifolia, Pinus pinea, Pinus halepensis, Lempranthus sp., Amenophila sp. etc.).