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The local mixed economy company (SAEML) Territoire Charente, which developed and built the area, is aware of the observation made by a number of users: “We certainly wouldn’t have done the same thing now” points out Philippe Maylin, the director of the entity.
Municipalities should be able to constrain land companies
She took the initiative to take action. “We are working on the renaturalization of the site. Studies are underway to preserve biodiversity. » The latter had been badly damaged, between 2012 and 2013, during the earthworks. “We want to create islands to bring back greenery and biodiversity. » Just to cool down the vast asphalt car parks which become veritable furnaces in the summer. The installation of photovoltaic shade structures would also be under study. Romain Dubois, operations manager, is leading the project. A planning firm was recruited to find concrete solutions. Even the mayor of Champniers, Michaël Laville, readily recognizes that the Montagnes 2 zone is not “not at all adapted to the current climate”. With a green logic absent at the time.
“We didn’t wait for the State”
But the problem is that these changes “can’t be done like that”, recognizes Philippe Maylin. Particularly in terms of diversity: “Here, all the cells are rented, we have no commercial vacancies. » It is therefore difficult to bring variety to the offer: “Ideally, we would like to have services or leisure activities in the area. But traders are attracted by the dynamism of the Mountains. » There is anyway “work to be done so that city entrances are less uniform”.
However, one figure attracts the attention of decision-makers: 24 million euros, the amount of the plan announced by the State. “It’s mainly about launching the initiative”assures Olivia Grégoire, the Minister for SMEs. Which promises easier administrative procedures and the possibility of deviating from the PLU (local town planning plan) to help the installation, for example, of leisure or services in purely commercial areas.
“It’s good, but we didn’t wait for the State to think about it,” tance Jean-François Dauré, the mayor (DVG) of La Couronne. With the Chantemerle area, it is directly concerned: it is one of the oldest commercial areas in the Angoulême metropolitan area. And perhaps also the one that bears the most weight of the years. “It has actually changed little since its construction in the 1980s”confirms the councilor.
Elected officials often deprived
And the latter would like to develop the place “without being in a race to win over the brands”. Either bring more choice and diversity for users, facilitate pedestrian travel… Which is not always easy in an area 95% owned by Ceetrus, a real estate company of the Auchan group. “It is a job to be carried out between elected officials, traders and owners. » The mission is not always simple to beautify and transform the whole. “It’s all the more important because here, real estate is under pressure. We will not be able to expand forever with the ZAN law (zero net artificialization). » Still all that “represents colossal investments, which will not be made with the State” but rather “with the communities, the developer and the lessor”.
However, these negotiations are not always simple. Pierre-Yves Briand can attest to this. The mayor of Châteaubernard has long fought to limit the impact of advertising displays which polluted the entrance to his town. “When we talk about ugly France, it’s not necessarily false! » It does its best to diversify and regulate the arrival of brands. “Elected officials must have their say. » But the only regulatory body is the Departmental Commercial Development Commission (CDAC). Who has limited power in the face of “a trend towards free installation”.
Shared skepticism
And the chosen one took a concrete example: “Not long ago, a developer announced to us the arrival of a rather high-end furniture brand. A good thing because that was missing. Ultimately, the project did not come to fruition and we had another fast-food brand, knowing that we already have two in the area. What interest ? And since the owner of the place can do what he wants…”
So, if Pierre-Yves Briand looks favorably on the government’s initiative, he remains doubtful: “Investors come for profit. We must be able to counterbalance. The elected officials know their territory! »
Michael Laville, the mayor of Champniers, shares this skepticism. “I’m waiting to see how this translates into practice. » The question, he abounds, “It’s about knowing what we can do when the owners of these areas, who invest a lot of money, want to get back on their feet? » But this desire does not always rhyme with virtuous logic. For him, “municipalities should be able to constrain land companies. »
On this point, the plan presented by the State remains very discreet. And will have to convince.
72 %
This is the share of French purchases made in commercial areas compared to 15% in the city center.
Another approach to commercial areas
They are the sign of the transition, or the rupture, between the city and the countryside. Also the symbol of the consumer society which has punctuated the last 60 years. These are the commercial areas on the outskirts of the city. And the government intends to change the situation.
Monday September 11, it was through the voice of Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, as well as Olivia Grégoire, Minister for SMEs, Commerce and Crafts that was presented a plan for transforming commercial areas. Objective: adapt these places to the challenges of tomorrow.
Concretely, this goes through several stages. First comes the adaptation of these structures, often considered as thermal sieves, to climate change. Then, bring diversity to these areas to make them places to live that also offer services and businesses. Finally, redefine the development of the least attractive areas by establishing collective housing with, for example, shops and services on the ground floor. An objective linked to the ZAN law (zero net artificialization), which provides for the end of construction on land devoid of any buildings by 2050.
Inaugurated 10 years ago, the Jaufertie park will have to adapt to climate changes.
Renaud Joubert
#Commercial #zones #change #ugly #France
