From Blueprint to Promise: The Long Road to the La Rousse Urbanization – HelloMonaco

Report on the Urbanisation of the Quartier de la Rousse Project, Monaco

Project Overview and Strategic Importance

A parcel of land located in the Quartier de la Rousse, formerly designated for the “Annonciade II” development, is the subject of a major urbanisation initiative by the Monegasque government. After more than a decade of planning, the project aims to transform the site into a mixed-use district. This development is critical to advancing Monaco’s national strategy and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the context of extreme land scarcity.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project is fundamentally aligned with SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Target 11.1 (Affordable Housing): The central objective is the creation of state-owned housing for Monegasques, directly addressing the need for adequate, safe, and affordable housing.
• Target 11.3 (Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization): The vision for a mixed-use district, incorporating public amenities and commercial spaces alongside residential units, promotes integrated and sustainable human settlement planning.
• Target 11.7 (Public Spaces): The revitalisation of residential life and the inclusion of public amenities contribute to providing access to safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces for all residents.

Supporting Socio-Economic Goals

The development also supports broader socio-economic objectives outlined in the SDGs.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By increasing the stock of state-owned housing, the project serves as a key mechanism to reduce social and economic inequalities linked to housing access in the Principality.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The project necessitates innovative solutions to complex urban challenges, such as the “build-on-top-of-the-city” design on a sloped site, thereby fostering resilient infrastructure and sustainable construction practices.

Project Status and Development Challenges

Timeline and Delays

Despite the launch of an urban-design competition, the project has been characterized by what members of the Conseil National describe as “years of inertia.”

1. An urban-design competition has been initiated by the government.
2. The design contract is targeted to commence in mid-2026.
3. Specific dates for construction and housing delivery remain unconfirmed.

Infrastructural and Planning Constraints

Significant challenges complicate the project’s execution, underscoring the complexities of sustainable urban development in a microstate.

• Land Scarcity: Monaco’s territory of just over 2 km² demands intensive and highly coordinated land use.
• Topographical Complexity: The site is situated on a slope, making urban design and construction technically demanding.
• High Density: The La Rousse district is one of Monaco’s most densely built-up zones, requiring careful integration of new development.

Stakeholder Governance and Objectives

Government Mandate

The government’s primary objective is to align the project with the national housing plan for Monegasques, initiated in 2019. This plan, which has already seen over €1.5 billion invested, aims to deliver a substantial number of new state-owned apartments. The Quartier de la Rousse development is positioned to be a flagship component of this national strategy.

Conseil National Concerns

Elected representatives have expressed significant concerns regarding the project’s direction and pace, emphasizing the need to prioritize social outcomes in line with SDG principles.

• The council fears the project may become a technocratic exercise at the expense of its social mission.
• There is a strong demand for the project to deliver “state-owned housing in good number.”
• The vision is for the site to become a “social-residential pole,” explicitly cautioning against a focus on luxury development over the needs of citizens.

Conclusion and Forward Outlook

The Urbanisation of the Quartier de la Rousse project encapsulates Monaco’s core urban dilemma: balancing ambitious development with its commitment to citizen welfare and sustainable principles. Its successful implementation hinges on translating plans into tangible actions that prioritize the delivery of affordable housing and public amenities. The period following mid-2026 will be critical in determining whether the project can fulfill its potential as a model for sustainable and inclusive urban development in a high-density environment.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is central to the article, which discusses a major urban redevelopment project in Monaco. The text focuses on turning a plot of land into a “new mixed-use district combining state-owned housing for Monegasques, public amenities, shops and a revitalised residential life.” This directly relates to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, especially in the context of Monaco’s extreme land scarcity and dense population.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is relevant through the discussion of governance, public planning, and institutional accountability. The article highlights the “years of inertia” in the project, the frustration of the “Conseil national” (the national council), and the debate between elected representatives and the government over the project’s timeline and transparency. This points to the challenge of developing “effective, accountable and transparent institutions,” as mentioned in the SDG targets.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

   The article directly addresses this target. The project is a key part of the “national housing plan for Monegasques,” and its explicit goal is to deliver “state-owned housing in good number.” The plan for a “mixed-use district” with “public amenities” and “shops” also aligns with the provision of basic services.

2. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

   This target is reflected in the councillors’ concerns. They worry that the project risks becoming a “technocratic exercise rather than a social one” and that “public involvement may be sidelined.” Their desire for the site to become a “social-residential pole” underscores the need for inclusive and participatory urban planning, which is a core component of this target.

3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The frustration voiced by the Conseil national over “years of inertia” and the fact that “actual dates and housing delivery dates remain unsettled” points directly to this target. The article portrays a struggle for institutional effectiveness and accountability, where elected officials are pushing the government for tangible progress and clear timelines on a major public initiative.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 11.1: Number of new state-owned housing units delivered.

  The article provides a concrete figure from the broader national plan, stating that “633 new state-owned apartments delivered by end-2024.” This serves as a direct quantitative indicator of progress in providing housing. The project’s specific goal to deliver “state-owned housing in good number” is another, albeit less precise, indicator for this specific site.

• Indicator for Target 11.3: Level of public and stakeholder involvement in the planning process.

  This is an implied qualitative indicator. The concern that “public involvement may be sidelined” suggests that the degree of participation is a key metric for success from the councillors’ perspective. The launch of an “urban-design competition” is a formal step, but its inclusivity would be the measure of progress toward this target.

• Indicator for Target 16.6: Timeliness of project delivery and public expenditure.

  The article implies that project timelines are a key indicator of institutional effectiveness. The “years of inertia” and unsettled delivery dates are presented as negative indicators. Conversely, the mention that the “design contract is targeted to begin mid-2026” provides a future benchmark. Additionally, the statement that “over €1.5 billion invested” in the national housing plan serves as a financial indicator of government commitment and expenditure.

4. Table of Identified SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hellomonaco.com