WEMAKEPARIS: Adaptive Urban Regeneration and Public Space Design in Paris

WEMAKEPARIS is a visionary proposal that explores adaptive urban regeneration through the transformation of the historic Petite Ceinture railway into a continuous, living public infrastructure. Designed by Mikhail Skisov, and recognized as a Shortlisted entry in the Salut Paris competition, the project redefines how underutilized urban voids can evolve into active civic ecosystems.

At its core, the project is driven by a simple but powerful premise: human actions shape urban space. By embedding everyday activities into the spatial logic of the city, WEMAKEPARIS transforms infrastructure into experience.

Reimagining Infrastructure as Public Space

The project converts the abandoned railway into a multi-layered public space corridor, operating as a 24/7 urban ring that integrates mobility, leisure, and social interaction.

Three key interventions define the strategy:

• The railway becomes a continuous transit and activity loop, supporting pedestrians and cyclists through separated yet connected pathways.
• All 15 former stations are reactivated as micro public hubs, each dedicated to a specific human action.
• The entire system functions continuously, ensuring accessibility, safety, and inclusivity across all times and user groups.

This approach positions infrastructure not as static transport, but as a dynamic urban framework that evolves with its users.

The “Names-Actions” Framework: Programming Urban Life

A defining feature of WEMAKEPARIS is the creation of 15 thematic stations, each associated with a human activity such as:

• We Grow
• We Cook
• We Perform
• We Learn
• We Play
• We Design
• We Protect

These stations act as programmatic anchors, aligning spatial design with social behavior. Rather than imposing fixed functions, the system allows flexibility, enabling users to reinterpret and transform spaces over time.

This framework reflects a shift in contemporary architecture toward participatory and behavior-driven urban design.

Spatial Strategy: Linearity as Opportunity

Instead of resisting the inherent linearity of the railway, the project leverages it as a structural advantage. The continuous loop allows for:

• Seamless pedestrian and cycling movement
• Distributed program across segments
• Rhythmic spatial sequencing through modular interventions

Small-scale architectural insertions such as pavilions, platforms, and canopies break the monotony of the line while maintaining continuity. These interventions create episodic experiences along the route, enriching the journey through variation and interaction.

Modular Architecture and Adaptive Design

The architectural language of the project is defined by lightweight, modular structures that can be deployed across different stations.

These include:

• Train-car inspired pavilions
• Open-frame lounges and shaded platforms
• Flexible marketplace units
• Greenhouse and garden structures

The modularity ensures scalability and adaptability, allowing the system to respond to changing needs without requiring large-scale reconstruction.

This aligns with broader trends in sustainable architecture, where flexibility and reuse are key design drivers.

Material Strategy and Sustainability

The project adopts a pragmatic and cost-effective material approach, balancing durability with accessibility:

• Anti-vandal, mid-cost materials for longevity
• Transparent coverings to preserve historic railway elements
• Rubber, wood, and tile surfaces for comfort and safety
• Integrated lighting systems for continuous usability

By retaining existing rails as visual and historical artifacts, the design creates a dialogue between heritage preservation and contemporary intervention.

Public Space as Social Infrastructure

WEMAKEPARIS positions public space as a platform for social interaction and community building. Each station supports a range of activities:

• Cultural events and performances
• Informal markets and local commerce
• Educational workshops and knowledge exchange
• Recreational and wellness activities

The design ensures inclusivity by accommodating diverse user groups, including pedestrians, cyclists, tourists, and local residents. Accessibility features such as elevators and unified pathways reinforce the project’s commitment to universal design.

Economic and Urban Impact

Beyond spatial transformation, the project introduces a sustainable economic model:

• Local marketplaces generate micro-economies
• Cafes and retail points activate daily use
• Increased footfall boosts surrounding urban areas
• Tourism potential enhances city visibility

This positions the project as not just an architectural intervention, but a catalyst for urban revitalization.

Identity Through Graphic Systems

A unique aspect of the proposal is the use of graphic identity patterns assigned to each station. These patterns extend beyond architecture into merchandise, signage, and urban branding.

This creates a cohesive visual language that strengthens recognition while allowing each station to maintain its individuality.

WEMAKEPARIS demonstrates how adaptive urban regeneration can transform neglected infrastructure into a vibrant public realm. By aligning spatial design with human behavior, the project creates a system that is not only functional but deeply experiential.

It proposes a new paradigm for architecture where cities are not just built, but continuously shaped through participation, movement, and collective life.

In this vision, Paris is not simply preserved. It is actively made, every day, by the people who inhabit it.