Feasibility Study for the Temporary Occupancy of the Former CDC Headquarters at La Jallère

The former headquarters of the Caisse des dépôts et Consignations, located in La Jallère, Bordeaux, consists of four connected buildings and one standalone building. A multifunctional site, it comprises offices, meeting rooms, a cafeteria, and a multipurpose hall, totaling 28,000 square meters. Commissioned by the CDC in 2021, Plateau Urbain conducted a technical feasibility study on the buildings’ occupancy, which revealed spaces in good condition that could be occupied without renovation, high operating costs, and the potential to convert one of the buildings into housing.

In 2022, Plateau Urbain and Aquitanis launched a call for applications to make office and storage spaces available within a limited area of 10,000 m² for three years to project leaders in the cultural, social economy, solidarity, and circular economy sectors. The occupancy, which already marks a transition from temporary use in Bordeaux, is intended to be implemented gradually through the provision of professional kitchens, a multipurpose hall, and the establishment of temporary housing.

On the eve of selecting the future occupants, the team responsible for managing the site (two people from Aquitanis and two from Plateau Urbain) participated in a workshop facilitated by Commune Mesure with the goal of defining the challenges of the occupation. The theory of change methodology helped identify the target audiences for the temporary occupation project (planners and elected officials, social service providers, people in precarious situations, etc.) and set objectives that will serve as the project’s guiding principles to achieve the desired outcomes.