Agrocité: An Agriculture Hub on the Outskirts of Paris

The welcoming, human-scale architecture of the pavilions contrasts with the heavy greyness of the surroundings.

Just outside the bustling streets of Paris lies Agrocité, a transformative urban farming project that’s redefining sustainable city living. Located in Colombes, this vibrant space is part of the R-Urban Network, a broader initiative dedicated to creating urban commons through sustainable practices and community involvement.

What began as an industrial site has been lovingly converted into a green oasis, with community gardens, a productive farm, a greenhouse, and social spaces that invite people to gather, learn, and grow together. The R-Urban Networkconnects Agrocité with other urban resilience projects, like shared workshops, recycling facilities, and cooperative housing, all aimed at reimagining urban spaces as places of sustainability and community.

The presence of the pavilions and the greenness of the community gardens have contributed towards breathing life and fertility into two once-barren spaces.

Atelier d’Architecture Autogérée, Agrocité, diagram.

Axonometric diagram showing the impact of “Recyclab” on the urban and social fabric of Colombes.

At its core, Agrocité is about more than just growing food—it’s about fostering a sense of community and responsibility toward the environment. The project provides local residents with the opportunity to engage in urban farming, learn sustainable practices, and participate in workshops and events that emphasize ecological awareness. It’s a hands-on education in sustainability, right in the heart of a suburban neighborhood.

The beauty of Agrocité lies in its multi-functionality. The farm produces fresh, organic vegetables for the community, the greenhouse nurtures plants year-round, and the social spaces serve as venues for events, discussions, and collective action. This integration of agriculture with community-building activities creates a vibrant, resilient space that’s as much about social sustainability as it is about environmental stewardship.

But Agrocité’s impact extends beyond its immediate neighborhood. As part of the R-Urban Network, it serves as a model for other urban areas grappling with the challenges of sustainability, showing that with creativity and community effort, even the most unlikely spaces can be transformed into thriving, green environments.

Coop Store

Delivering vegetables to the cooperative store for responsible consumption in the “Agrocité” pavilion.

Communal Cooking

Communal cooking session in the “Agrocité” pavilion.

Rainwater Collection

Rainwater collection system in the “Agrocité pavilion.

Recyclab

View of the main façade of “Recyclab”.

Coop Entrance

Entrance to the “Agrocité”, showing the cooperative store for responsible consumption.

Garden Work

People working in the communal food gardens.

In a world where urban sprawl often leads to a disconnect from nature, Agrocité offers a different narrative—one where cities and nature can coexist harmoniously, where communities can take the lead in shaping a sustainable future, and where every bit of land, no matter how small, holds the potential for growth and renewal.

As urban environments around the globe face increasing pressures, the lessons from Agrocité are more relevant than ever. It’s a reminder that sustainable living isn’t just possible—it’s already happening, just outside the heart of Paris. And if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere.

Whether you’re an urban planner, a community organizer, or simply someone who cares about the future of our cities, Agrocité and the R-Urban Network are projects worth paying attention to. They prove that with a little innovation and a lot of collaboration, we can create urban spaces that are not only sustainable but also deeply connected to the people who live in them.