Dembeni (FR)
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Data
Dembeni (FR)
Scales XL/L
Team composition Architect mandatory
Location Dembeni (976)
Population City: 15,848 inhabitants, Metropolitan Area: 87,285 inhabitants
Reflection site 83 ha - Project site 11 ha
Site proposed by EPFAM (Public Land Establishment of Mayotte) and CADEMA (Dembeni Mamoudzou Agglomeration Community)
Actors involved EPFAM (Public Land Establishment of Mayotte) and CADEMA (Dembeni Mamoudzou Agglomeration Community)
Owner(s) of the site Department/State
Commission after competition Design studies, urban and landscape project management, overall project supervision.
More Information
SITE / CONTEXT
Located in the municipality of Dembéni, on the eastern coast of Mayotte, the site extends along National Road 3 (RN3). Characterized by informal urbanization, it presents a mosaic of self-built dwellings, ranging from simple tin-roofed « bangas » to multi-story concrete houses. Often constructed in high-risk areas and near protected natural spaces, these buildings exhibit a gradual decline in quality as they extend away from the main road towards the mangrove.
Covering 11 hectares, the area serves as a strategic link between the University of Mayotte, the Tsararano-Dembéni mixed-use development zone (planned for 2,600 housing units), and the mangrove ecosystems. It comprises several neighborhoods: Irashi and Mouhokoni in Dembéni, Manyasini and Minadzini in Iloni, all characterized by informal housing. Mapping of the area reveals a stark contrast between a structured urban core and an extensive natural zone, where substandard housing is concentrated—particularly in Manyasini, which in 2017 had 249 dwellings in high-risk areas out of a total of 310.
The passage of Cyclone Chido on December 14 highlighted the site’s resilience. The cyclone’s eye passed during low tide, and the mangrove’s protective role helped reduce its impact on the neighborhood. Informal structures were quickly rebuilt, while concrete buildings, with their flat roofs and low height, demonstrated greater resistance. However, certain infrastructures, particularly schools, suffered more significant damage.
This event underscores the urgent need to integrate resilience strategies against natural hazards into urban planning. Positioned at the intersection of development challenges and ecological preservation, Dembéni represents a testing ground for urbanization models that foster a sustainable coexistence between sensitive natural ecosystems and human habitation.
QUESTIONS FOR COMPETITORS
At the scale of the study site: how can the interfaces between inhabited and natural areas be reorganized to promote resilient urbanization adapted to local socio-cultural dynamics?
What rehabilitation strategies can be implemented in neighborhoods located in high-risk natural hazard zones?
At the scale of the project site: how can mangrove spaces be sustainably reintegrated into the urban fabric while fostering an inclusive approach for residents?
How can innovative solutions be designed to rehouse populations with dignity while enhancing the natural heritage?
This site invites participants to redefine intervention methods for precarious housing by combining architectural innovation, bioclimatic solutions, and the restoration of fragile ecosystems.
Teams will be expected to propose solutions that align with an urban resilience approach and a co-construction process with local communities.
Questions on the site
Will there be a brief in English?
hello,
there is a synthetic file site in English and a complete brief in English.
To be able to read the brief, you'll have to register.
A visit of the site is organized the 17th of april. This visit will be filmed. A report will be written, both in French and in English.
These documents will be posted on the Europan website and accessible for free.
Bonjour, La visite pour le site de Dembéni s'est fait le 17 Avril 2025 et il était dit qu'il serait filmé pour celles et ceux étant loin de Mayotte. Est-il possible de visionner cette visite ? Et où est ce que nous pouvons le visionner ou récupérer la vidéos ? Merci !
everything is online: movie and site visit report
https://www.europan-europe.eu/en/session/europan-18/site/dembeni-fr#specific-documents
Page 17 de la présentation du site, il est mentionné que des “Dispositifs de collecte, tri et valorisation des déchets peuvent être intégrés dans le projet. Ces dispositifs doivent s’appuyer sur les initiatives existantes : Quels sont les détails de ces initiatives et par quels interlocuteurs sont-elles portées aujourd’hui ?
These are mainly initiatives led by city departments and a few associations.
Quelles sont les études techniques en cours menées par l’EPFAM ?
The MOUS (urban and social project management) study has been launched to initially carry out building diagnostics and social surveys. Urban project management contracts and environmental studies are currently being analyzed.
Sur l’annexe M12, la carte “2-e Reflection Site” met en évidence le déplacement de l’école maternelle et le développement commercial comme autre projet. Qui porte ces projets en cours, quelles sont les raisons de ces évolutions et perspectives d’achèvement des projets ? Peut-on avoir les études en cours de ces projets ?
The EPFAM does not support these projects. These considerations will be addressed during the development of the master plan for the OIN perimeter. For the Europan project perimeter, you can disregard these considerations and make recommendations.
Il est mentionné p.15 du document de présentation du Site (E18-SB-FR-Dembeni), que des projets d’aménagement sont prévus sur les hauteurs de Dembéni (frange sud-ouest, hors site). Quels sont ces projets et serait-il possible de nous transmettre les documents de projet ?
Today, these projects remain intentions of the city and are therefore still under consideration.
Serait-il possible de nous transmettre le Programme prévisionnel d’aménagement en l’état actuel (nous comprenons que ce document est en cours d’élaboration)?
No PPA for the moment
Avons nous à disposition des chiffres précis du nombre de ménage dans le site de projet ? Si oui, ces chiffres intègrent-ils les personnes en situation irrégulière ?
400 households (to be adjusted by MOUS)
Avons-nous des données démographiques et socio-économiques récentes autre que l’INSEE? Si oui, est ce possible de nous les fournir ?
No more than the data available on the INSEE website and the data provided in the site brief.
La ZAC de Tsararano traitant du site de réflexion de Dembeni, serait-il possible de nous transmettre l’ensemble des documents et études à ce sujet (au-delà des documents disponibles en ligne sur le site de l’EPFAM)?
Here is a link to the datas
Un projet de quai de transport sur la plage d’Iloni est à l’étude. Pouvez-vous nous faire suivre cette étude en cours pour en prendre connaissance ?
we don't have the documents.
Peut-on obtenir les derniers rapports d’études des Opérations d’Intérêts National sur Mayotte ?
This is confidential for the moment, as the OIN decree has not yet been published.
Peut-on obtenir le Plan Intercommunal de Lutte Contre l'Habitat Indigne (PILHI)?
Please look into the new documents added in the folder "new docs after lauch".
Certaines données d’aléas ont été transmises seulement en pdf, serait-il possible de les obtenir en dxf (M10 aléas généraux, M13 Mouvements de terrain, M14 Inondation, M15 Submersion marine) ?
Quite a few add-ons are available for download in the “new docs after launch” folder (among them the one youasked for)
Peut-on obtenir le Plan Guide du programme Action Coeur de Ville pour le renouvellement urbain de Dembeni. Quels projets sont en cours d’étude et à quelle stade ?
Please look into the new documents added in the folder "new docs after lauch".
Y-a-t-il une justification spécifique à avoir retiré la zone derrière la plage d’Iloni du site de réflexion ? Des coups partis et projets urbains sont-ils déjà en cours de discussion ou d’étude sur cette zone ?
We removed it to focus our thinking on the mangrove and slum areas. The issue of beach development will be incorporated into the overall considerations of the OIN master plan.
Bonjour, la visite du site a-t-elle eu lieu? Si oui, où peut-on l'a trouver?
filmed visit and site report online:
https://www.europan-europe.eu/en/session/europan-18/site/dembeni-fr#specific-documents
Quand est-ce que la video et le rapport de la visite de site seront publiés sur le site d'Europan ?
movie online and site report on line.
https://www.europan-europe.eu/en/session/europan-18/site/dembeni-fr#specific-documents
Bonjour, Est ce qu'un compte rendu de la visite de site sera diffusé ? Bonne journée,
The site visite report has been published this week, so has the movie.
Will the video from the site visit be uploaded for those who were not able to attend in person?
the video and the site visit report have been uploaded on the Europan Europe website.
https://www.europan-europe.eu/en/session/europan-18/site/dembeni-fr#specific-documents
Are you able to provide AutoCAD maps of the current sewage and drinking water pipelines?
We can not provide this document by now.
Are you able to provide a 3D model of the existing buildings on the reflection site?
No, it's not possible.
This site is connected to the following theme
Re-sourcing from natural elements How to design processes and projects for the revaluation of landscapes that focus on the interdependencies and eco-dependencies of resources (natural, cultural, productive) and the territory? The regeneration of landscapes can become a mediation tool between residential areas, facilities, and obsolete infrastructures and territories undergoing transformation (even at risk) as a result of the effects of climate change. Is an invitation to think at the resources of the area in a regenerative way to support a healthier environment for humans and non-humans?
Regenerating Landscapes
Specific documents
Questions on the site
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Fr. 16 May 2025
Deadline for submitting questions
Fr. 30 May 2025
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