Situated between the plain that is undergoing the changes involved in the Praille Acacias Vernets (PAV) project – the future extension of Geneva city centre – and the densification on the plateau of the commune of Lancy, the Promenade overlooks the PAV area. New parks are to be created and others are to be redeveloped to provide the population with a variety of new public spaces.

The Promenade connects several natural features (the woodlands of the Bois de la Bâtie and Forêt de Surville, the Aire and Drize rivers, etc.), and the two railway stations on the new cross-border urban “Cornavin – Eaux Vives – Annemasse” (CEVA) rail link, the stations at Lanc Pon Rouge and Caroug Bachet, with the line due to enter into service in 2017.

Part of the 2015 cantonal Master Plan, the PAV project is regarded as one of the major strategic projects for Geneva. Following the public spaces and mobility study for the PAV project, proposals were made to develop a number of major public spaces designed to provide a structure for the changes in the PAV project. These form part of the network of public spaces planned in the 2030 Cantonal Master Plan.

The Promenade des Crêtes is part of this network, and will link existing public spaces such as the Parc Surville, Parc Chuit and Parc de Pesay with newly developed ones. It is also part of the communal Master Plan for the commune of Lancy. To initiate the future projects, the State of Geneva is organizing an SIA 142 competition to select representatives for a commission for the study and execution of the Promenade des Crêtes.

The requirement is to design this Promenade while taking into account the character of the surrounding area in relation to the various development projects in the neighbouring areas, including PAV. This competition is part of measure 30.6 of urban development project 1 to create a public space in PAV – Redevelopment of the public space in the Praille Acacias Vernets densification project – at a cost of 2.7 million Swiss Francs (excluding taxes). This budget is allocated for the development of the Promenade des Crêtes.