Second-year students from the University of Westminster’s Urban Planning and Design BA Honours course visited the JCDecaux global headquarters in Plaisir, France, to learn more about the company’s sustainable practices. The trip was the first time university students have had the chance to visit the head office, marking a significant milestone in JCDecaux’s longstanding support of Westminster.
JCDecaux is one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies and has supported the University for over ten years through the sponsorship of student prizes at the School of Architecture + Cities’ annual OPEN Student Architecture Awards. The visit, which was sponsored by the JCDecaux Student Prize Award, marked the first time a university has visited their headquarters.
Located just outside the centre of Paris, the global headquarters function as an innovation, research and development centre, a testing and development hub, a manufacturing and production site, and a creative laboratory. By visiting the space, students had the chance to explore the wide range of sustainable design innovation activities that take place at JCDecaux. JCDecaux’s strong sustainability agenda and robust Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework gave students an insight into how large-scale commercial operations can align with environmental responsibility. This included how to advertise thoughtfully in urban spaces and balance civic and commercial considerations. For example, students discussed the redesign and renewal of bus shelters and urban furniture.
Bus shelter renewal
Students also learnt about the new biodiversity route in Paris, which will create a connected ecological corridor between two parks and put in place infrastructure designed to support birds, bees and insects. The project demonstrates how advertising infrastructure can contribute positively to biodiversity and showed students the practical application of sustainability in real urban environments.
The JCDecaux team showcased advanced digital screens, the development of 3D advertising models, near-holographic visual experiences and high-tech Media Lab testing. Students also observed the manufacturing and printing processes, including the use of recycled paper in advertising production.
Tour of screen technologies
About the visit student Orla Mannion said: “The visit to the JC Decaux headquarters generously extended the professional viewpoint process for the ecological and technological developments within several company departments. We were given insight into recent and on-going projects; from the tender process, impact, to hopes for the future for the street-centric design teams. These insider talks were beneficial for our understanding of the duelling commercial, design and ecological processes within several professional teams and their impact upon various users
Martin Stephens, Director of Planning at JCDecaux, said: “We were delighted to welcome students to our global headquarters for a behind‑the‑scenes tour of our research and posting centre. Their curiosity and challenging questions made for an interesting exchange on how innovation can drive more sustainable and biodiversity‑friendly outdoor media. JCDecaux believe the next generation of Planners and Urban Designers will play a decisive role in shaping responsible cities and public spaces, so it was great to be able to share examples of some of our work and inspiring to hear the perspectives of students and faculty staff alike. We look forward to continuing the conversation and exploring future collaborations.”
Dr Luz Navarro, Course Leader for Urban Planning and Design BA Honours at Westminster, said: “Our Climate Urbanism Studio visit to Paris gave our Year 2 students an exceptional opportunity to experience how climate adaptation, territorial ecology and inclusive public‑space design are being delivered at street level in a major European city. We are extremely grateful to JCDecaux’s support, whose insight into ESG strategy, biodiversity shelters and the governance of street infrastructure offered students a rare understanding of how climate‑responsive design is implemented and maintained in practice.
"We also thank Priscilla Benedetti from Ville de Paris for an exceptional on‑site session on School Streets from tactical interventions to permanent transformations giving us a first-hand understanding of how Paris has delivered hundreds of these, helping our students connect street‑level climate adaptation with governance, participation and care and ownership.”
Simay Sali Sevik, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, said: “Our longstanding partnership with JCDecaux continues to create truly transformative opportunities for our students. We are incredibly grateful to JCDecaux for their continued support and generosity, and we look forward to building on this relationship to create even more impactful learning experiences for our students.”
This trip directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design courses at the University of Westminster.
If you or your organisation would like to help foster the next generation of talent by sponsoring prizes at Westminster, contact the Development Team.
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