Lausanne Jardins 2009, “Jardins dessus dessous”

The 2009 edition celebrates the inauguration of the second metro line of the city of Lausanne (M2), a line that leads from the lakeshore to the upper parts of the city. This new north-south connection deeply affects people’s understanding of the city, modifying daily life in Lausanne. The Lausanne Jardins projects spread along four pedestrian pathways – or loops – configured around the M2 subway line. These loops are linked to subway stations. Going up, the subway provides access to the beginning of each loop, which is then explored downwards, by foot. This choice of scenario, called “Jardins dessus dessous”, installs a dual mode of perception, moving alternately form the underground spaces of the M2 to a landscape that opens onto the Lake Geneva and the Alps.

The first pathway, from the end station of Croisettes to La Sallaz, alternates views on the large scale landscape with woodland courses along the Vuachère River, and the crossing of single or collective housing districts. The second pathway, going from La Sallaz to a central city square called Riponne, alternately goes from a peak to the bowl-shaped part of Flon valley, and crosses the hill of the medieval city, where the Castle and the Cathedral are located. The third pathway starts at Ours Square, and then goes under the Bessières Bridge, curves in the medieval district of “de Bourg” leading under a second bridge, the Grand-Pont, before arriving at Europe Square. The fourth pathway runs down from Lausanne Central Railway Station to the lakeshore. It starts with an underground passage, then curves in an 19th century housing district, goes straight through a new public park called the “Coulée verte” (Green flow), and culminates in the harbour district of Ouchy.
The underground space of the subway line offers a fifth gardening field of experimentation for participants of “Lausanne Jardins 2009”. It offers new possibilities to create plant environments in the underground milieu of the subway and accompanies travellers and visitors as they move from under the ground to the surface.

The results of this international competition was made public in April 2008 (see Competition). 180 teams participated, coming from 19 countries worldwide. The inauguration of “Lausanne Jardins 2009” took place on June 20th 2009. The event will run until October 24th 2009.

Press release (18th June 2009): Inauguration of Lausanne Jardins 2009