setec is working on an increasing number of projects in the Indian Ocean: Reunion, Madagascar, the Maldives and most recently Mauritius, where the concept of smart cities is taking off.
Trimetys, a Mauritian promoter seeking a partner with a solid track record, has entrusted setec with a comprehensive contractor assistance role for building the Cap Tamarin smart city.
“Mauritius, sustainable island” has been the country’s slogan for around a decade now. Clearly, the government wants to promote sustainability, but this is a real challenge for Mauritius.
The island has seen an excessive number of new developments over the last 50 years and overall has a poor environmental record, combined with considerable demographic pressure: at 700-800 inhabitants per km2, it has one of the world’s densest populations.
Given that natural resources are becoming scarcer, setec has been asked to design an autonomous water supply and self-sufficient power if possible, based on renewable energies.
Frédéric Maurel, general manager of setec hydratec, commented, “And why not imagine a marine geothermal solution for heating and cooling, like the innovation system we have just inaugurated in Marseille?”
The government has a vision for territorial development that is largely based on private investments to develop smart cities and attract foreign investors. A good example is the Cap Tamarin project, led by Trimetys, which has become a leading real-estate developer in the residential, hotel, commercial and educational sectors.
Cap Tamarin is situated on a confluence of two rivers on the west coast of Mauritius, in a bay with a coral reef.
This fishing village has become a holiday destination and a hotspot for surfers. “There’s clearly a mix of environmental and tourist interests, and there will also be an annex of the Louis-le-Grand French high school,” explained Frédéric Tranquille, who is leading this project along with two other contracts awarded this year for drinking water.
This seven-year project combines technology, 1,200 units of mixed housing, strong business activity and quality of life. setec is not starting from a blank page, however, since a shopping center, a school and a sports center are already in operation.
The neighborhood will be completely pedestrianized and shared vehicles will be available, while access for cars and parking will be limited.