The world's largest urban farm rooftop set to open in Paris

In 2015, Viparis – a subsidiary of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and the Paris Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and European leader in Conventions & Exhibitions - launched an extensive renovation project at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition complex. This decade-long initiative aims at raising the 8 exhibition Pavilions to the highest international standards and make it a model of sustainable development. The initial phases have been completed, including a new reception area, the redesign of the central walkway and the opening of the Paris Convention Centre, Europe's largest conference site. Part of the plan is to transform Paris Expo Porte de Versailles into a haven for biodiversity, thanks to a 14,000 sqm urban farm on the roof of the future Pavilion 6. This will be the world's largest urban farm rooftop, offering a range of activities starting in spring 2020.

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles’s urban farm will be developed in cooperation with Agripolis and Cultures en Ville, two experts specialised in urban agriculture. It will become a globally-recognised model for responsible production, with nutrients used in organic farming and quality products grown in rhythm with nature's cycles, all in Paris. More than twenty market gardens will produce over a thousand seasonal fruits and vegetables every day, from about thirty different varieties of plants. Taking things to the next level, the farm will offer a range of services related to urban agriculture: educational tours, team building workshops for companies, and vegetable plots leased by residents. Le Perchoir, Paris's renowned chain of rooftop venues, will open a bar and restaurant on the panoramic terrace of Pavilion 6, with a menu that will include produce grown on site.

Building greener, innovative and more sustainable assets is at the core of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s CSR engagement and strategy. With this unique project, we are bringing nature back to the city, creating better places that foster biodiversity while enlivening the community’s life.

Learn more about the many ways we continually seek to improve our environmental footprint and strengthen our social impact in the URW 2018 Report: https://report.urw.com/2018/must-read.html