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Since 2021, Lille Metropole (MEL) has actively supported urban agriculture, notably through the “Quartiers Fertiles” programme (fertile urban neigborhoods). While this initiative has fostered new productive spaces, it has also highlighted a major challenge: the difficulty of accessing healthy, fertile soils suitable for agriculture and urban greening.
This issue is particularly acute in a metropolitan context marked by the legacy of former industrial activities, which continue to affect soil quality. Soil degradation has far-reaching consequences, impacting food security, biodiversity, water quality and climate regulation—making soil restoration a strategic priority for the territory.
Building on Ongoing Research and Experimentation
To address these challenges, Lille Metropole has already engaged in several ambitious research programmes. The Trichon urban farm project in Roubaix has successfully demonstrated the potential to recreate fertile soils, with results exceeding expectations and leading to organic certification in 2024.
Within the framework of the European Green Deal and the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” aims to restore 75% of European soils by 2030. A key instrument of this mission is the deployment of 100 Living Labs across Europe—collaborative platforms designed to co-create and test innovative soil management solutions in real-life conditions.
Lille Metropole has been deeply involved in this Mission through exchanges with European institutions already engaged in 2023, participation in the EU Soil Week, and the organization of a European seminar on soils in our Brussels representation.
In this context, Lille Metropole has been invited by Aston University (Birmingham) to contribute to the REGENSOILL project, which brings together 26 partners from 10 countries.
Establishing a Living Lab in Lille Metropole
At the heart of REGENSOILL lies the creation of five Living Labs across Europe, including one within the Lille metropolitan area, alongside sites in the United Kingdom, Poland, Hungary and the Baltic States.
The Living Lab approach will enable Lille Metropole to mobilise local stakeholders—research institutions, technical partners and field actors—to co-develop and test innovative solutions for soil restoration. In collaboration with partners such as AgroParisTech Innovation, JUNIA ISA and SEM Ville Renouvelée, the project will address shared challenges across both urban and agricultural environments.
Strengthening Territorial and European Collaboration
Lille Metropole’s approach to soil health is part of a broader, coherent strategic framework. Each project contributes as a building block within an integrated vision, ranging from spatial planning (METROLAND) to operational implementation (REGENSOILL). This ecosystem is further strengthened by initiatives like REVALS, which aim to incorporate the value of healthy soils into economic models through ecological accounting. Together, these complementary projects illustrate a systemic and long-term strategy, ensuring that soil protection and restoration are addressed across all stages of public action. Thus, for the metropolis, REGENSOILL represents a strategic opportunity to build on existing initiatives and extend the work carried out in recent years. It will also reinforce the metropolitan area’s position at European level as a recognised hub for soil innovation and experimentation.
By fostering collaboration between local and international partners, REGENSOILL contributes to strengthening knowledge exchange, accelerating innovation and supporting the transition towards more sustainable land-use practices.
With a duration of up to 54 months and a fully funded European budget, REGENSOILL represents a significant investment in the future of the territory. Scheduled to launch in mid-2026, the project will mark a new step in Lille Metropole’s commitment to restoring soil functions and addressing the growing scarcity of fertile land. By embedding innovation within its territory and connecting to a wider European network, the metropolis continues to position itself as a key actor in the ecological transition.
