Urban District Sous-le-Bourg, Châtel-St-Denis

Châtel-St-Denis is located in the canton of Fribourg and has around 6’000 inhabitants. The municipality has a unique topography and geology: the village lies on a plateau at the foot of the Fribourg Alps. It is also located on the watershed between the Rhône and Rhine drainage basins. The Veveyse river, as a defining watercourse, borders the municipality to the southeast and bends eastward near Châtel-St-Denis. While the Veveyse usually flows through a narrow valley, the topography flattens at the level of the municipality. Characteristic of Châtel-St-Denis is thus the plateau with the historic village center, surrounded by slightly lower terrain.

The municipality has two focal points for urban development: the station area west of the center, and the "Sous-le-Bourg" district, located east of the center at the level of the river, with direct access to the Veveyse. The overall concept for the new “Sous le Bourg” neighborhood aligns the development and access routes with the historic course of the waterway. The Veveyse plays a key role as a space for urban life and recreation: on the neighborhood side, along the steep outer riverbank, a promenade is created, which becomes a central urban space for the municipality and, together with the river area, a major element of local identity. The riverbank here is designed in an urban fashion, with paved surfaces and seating steps. On the southeastern side, where the cantonal road runs, the riverbank is shaped in a flat, natural style. The project proposal skillfully mediates between various demands for naturalness and urbanity while also addressing flood protection.