France

• Paris, France is actively enhancing the use of underground space in the pursuit of sustainable urban development
• Notable examples are Les Halles and La Défense - both are integrated developments of underground rail station and shopping centre, with multi-level design for separated pedestrian and vehicular flow
• Les Halles :
  • An underground transport hub of rail and metro lines, with well-connected subsurface road and pedestrian networks linking to the neighbourhood
  • On average 750 000 passengers per day, including 150 000 people visiting the shopping centre every day
  • The station is being redeveloped and upgraded to cater for increasing volume of foot traffic and improve the community environment
• La Défense :
  • A core business district with pedestrian volume reaching 180,000 on working days
  • Vehicular flow maintained at the lower floor, while creating a spacious pedestrian precinct at the podium level
  • Offer a large open area for organising cultural and recreational events, exhibitions, etc.