Summary

The urban greening market, particularly in France, is on an upward trajectory driven by a growing eco-consciousness and legislative mandates emphasizing sustainability and biodiversity. Numerous cities worldwide have committed to climate action, with nearly 9,400 cities proposing over 20,000 measures, indicating a significant opportunity for private investment in urban sustainability projects.

In France, urbanization continues unabated, with 80.5% of the population living in urban areas in 2020, and a growing demand for single-family homes, which saw an estimated market size of 12.991 billion euros. The construction sector overall is robust, with a production value of 146.25 billion euros in 2020. Urban greening initiatives are encouraged by state subsidies and the introduction of greening permits. As urbanization expands, addressing the heat island effect and integrating green infrastructure becomes imperative, presenting continued growth for the urban greening market.

Greening the Urban Jungle: Trends and Demands in Urban Greening in France

Urban greening in France is fast gaining momentum, driven by a population increasingly conscious of environmental concerns and eco-responsibility. With pioneering roots in the green roofing market, France has established itself as a forerunner, boasting several million square meters of green roofing installations. Legislative measures such as the biodiversity Act have further bolstered this growth by mandating renewable energy or greening systems on new commercial building rooftops. The transformation of urban landscapes into living eco-systems is propelled by the understanding of the link between urbanization and environmental impact. Historical industrialization has given way to a re-envisioned relationship between cities and their ecological footprint. Now, cities, which account for about 60 to 80 percent of France's urban-dwelling population, are seen as ripe for sustainable innovation. The city of Paris, despite having a lower per capita green space than other European cities, is witnessing a surge in urban greening projects, indicative of a significant paradigm shift among residents.

A diverse array of urban greening projects are underway, transcending simplistic greening paradigms and necessitating sophisticated engineering solutions. The positioning of these projects ranges from sizeable public parks to intensive roof gardens priced between 120 to 300 euros per square meter and extensive green roofs costing around 45 to 100 euros per square meter. Amidst this, nurseries and distributors such as Toiture Bio are making plant purchasing for green projects a viable, albeit significant expenditure, with the price of premade sedum mats used in extensive roof projects varying around 30 to 40 euros per square meter.

The French market is not merely defined by its regulatory environment but is animated by startups and technological innovation that are reshaping the urban greening landscape. Notable examples include Topager and Sous les Fraises, exemplifying the dynamic and evolving nature of the sector. The current market coincides with a broader set of changes in the construction sector. Specifically, the demand for individual housing construction, a significant portion of urban greening initiatives, has witnessed an annual growth of about 2 to 3 percent, hinting at a market trending positively. Moreover, supportive governmental interventions in the form of reduced VAT rates for green renovations and the advent of greening permits signify the state's pivotal role. This backdrop of state aid, along with public enthusiasm for environmental change, presents an environment ripe for the sustained growth of urban greening in France. This is characterized by an increased consumer price.

The Pioneers and Innovators of France's Urban Greening Market

As France continues to nurture its rising urban greening market, a select few companies are making substantial headway, becoming synonymous with the industry's growth and innovation. These entities are not only ensuring compliance with legislative demands but also pushing the boundaries in sustainable development and eco-conscious urban planning.

  • Toiture Bio - The Green Roofing Expert : Toiture Bio has positioned itself as a go-to for those in need of green roofing solutions. They offer a range of ready-to-use kits that cater to various plant life and substrate thickness preferences. Known for simplifying the green roof installation process, Toiture Bio empowers homeowners and businesses alike to embrace eco-friendly roofs with accessible pricing and a focus on sedum plants, which are particularly suited for such applications.

  • O2D Environment – Reinventing Urban Landscapes : O2D Environment takes urban greening a step further by diving deep into the engineering and scientific aspects. They view urban vegetation as green infrastructure, integral to city development and the wellbeing of citizens. Their approach involves choosing the right species and managing green spaces efficiently to achieve the intended environmental benefits.

  • Sous les Fraises – The Urban Farming Trailblazer : This innovative startup has pioneered the transformation of Parisian rooftops into lush, productive gardens. Sous les Fraises demonstrates how urban spaces can be effectively utilized for agriculture, offering a model that not only beautifies the city but also contributes to the local food supply.

  • Vertige – Elevating Green Façades : With a name that echoes its specialty, Vertige has made a name for itself by developing green walls and façades. Their focus on vertical ecosystems in urban environments contributes significantly to the aesthetic and ecological enhancement of building exteriors.

  • Prêt à Pousser – Simplifying Urban Cultivation : As a company, Prêt à Pousser embodies the idea that everyone can grow their own plants, regardless of space constraints. Their indoor gardening solutions resonate with city dwellers who long for greenery but lack outdoor space, proving that urban greening has an important interior dimension as well.

  • La Grande Serre – The Greenhouse Pioneer : La Grande Serre looks at urban greening through the lens of large-scale greenhouse production, integrating advanced technologies to create sustainable, controlled environments. Their efforts demonstrate how larger green spaces can be cultivated within urban areas, contributing to both the environment and urban aesthetics.

  • Mon Petit Coin Vert – The Community Gardening Advocate. 
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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 01/12/2021
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Introduction

The urban greening is a process or art of populating the buildings ( terraces , roofing , walls etc.) of plants . The green roofing system is a set of materials and plants installed on a specific surface with the objective of ensuring the sustainability of the vegetation as well as the construction.

One of the fundamental elements of urban greening concerns the support elements for the plant parts (concrete slab, steel sheeting, wooden panels, etc.) which, depending on their nature and technical definition, are capable of supporting different loads and uses. A waterproofing coating, resistant to root penetration, is essential for the long-term functioning of the whole. Thermal insulation, generally placed under the waterproofing, completes the vegetation technique.

With several million square meters installed France is a pioneer country in the green roofing market worldwide. Only a few players, mainly in the field of waterproofing and building envelope, share the niche market of green roofing and urban greening in France.

The players in the urban greening market in France are banking on hQE projects and the taking of eco-responsible consciousness of prescribers to sustain their growth. The urban greening market in France can count on the new regulatory requirements to sustain its growth: as part of the biodiversity Act adopted in March 2015 by the National Assembly, an amendment makes it mandatory to install "renewable energy production processes" or a "greening system" on the roofs of new commercial spaces.

List of charts

  • Potentiel d'investissement dans les villes par région et par secteur à l'horizon 2030
  • Les villes les plus vertes en France
  • Urban population as a percentage of total population in France
  • Les Français et la végétalisation de leur ville
  • French market size according to NAF code 41.20A "construction of single-family homes"
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Latest news

Soprema boosts phytodepuration on roofs - 04/10/2023
  • 30% reduction in water consumption thanks to the phytodepuration system.
  • thickness of roof-mounted phytodepuration system: approx. 20 cm.
  • Weight of system: approx. 300 kg per square metre (including water).
  • Duration of Skywater Clear development project: 5 years.
  • Soprema sales: 4.8 billion euros.
On rooftops, Topager mixes planting and urban agriculture - 17/10/2022
  • Sales in 2021: €2 million
  • Employees: 30
  • 5 hectares of green roofs
  • design and implementation of urban agriculture and non-edible greening projects
  • The Covid crisis has accelerated demand for green roofs
Plant canopy at La Roche-sur-Yoann - 23/01/2023
  • The first above-ground plant canopy proposed for the new Place des Halles in La Roche-sur-Yon.
  • Canopy developed by start-up Urban Canopée.
  • The autonomous, mobile corollas rise to 5 meters and can shade 20 m2.
  • Participatory funding campaign on Helloasso underway to complete the budget.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Soprema Groupe
Topager
Urban Canopée
Corporate Garden
Peas and Love
Myrium Groupe - Merci Raymond

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