Eurêka district

A connected district for cross-generational diversity and aging well

As part of the ÉcoCité initiative and Smart City project, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole came up with the idea for the Eurêka district in 2016.

The goal of this “demonstrator district” is to support living well and aging well by offering residents innovative services.

Présentation du quartier Eurêka

39 hectares in Castelnau le Lez

Located in Castelnau le Lez, just east of Montpellier, the Eurêka district will cover 39 hectares, with development on 20 hectares. The area will include housing, offices (75,000 m²), and stores (5,000 m²), and will welcome companies specialized in the silver economy. 15% of the 1,800 new apartments will be reserved for seniors. Occupational therapists gave their input regarding public development and mobility issues for elderly people, focusing on encouraging and maintaining people’s mobility. This included a study of pavements as well as the type and location of urban furnishings. In terms of equipment, the city will build a new school, a community center, and a 90-bed retirement home designed by A+ Architecture. Four hectares will be dedicated to urban farming, with seven hectares of vegetated water detention basins.

Development of the overall area is being handled by SERM, the Montpellier Regional Development Company, as part of a Coordinated Development Zone (ZAC). The project received an award from the Federation of Local Public Businesses (EPL) in the “Service for the Public” category.

Innovative services designed for the population

In 2016, Montpellier Métropole launched the digital “My Eurêka” platform, an experiment to test various services for seniors, including remote alarms, frailty monitoring tools, connected objects, and more. This initiative offers a range of digital services and eco-responsible solutions, such as tracking energy consumption. Sensors transmit data in an effort to optimize electrical network management using a “smart grid” approach. The digital offering will also include tools to help seniors remain independent at home, such as emergency call services, frailty tracking tools, and connected objects. People at risk of losing their autonomy will be monitored to help them stay home and reduce their feelings of isolation while building momentum through inter-generational aid.

The platform will evolve according to people’s actual uses and needs. Operations that are successful in the Eurêka district will later be expanded into other areas around Montpellier Métropole.