Par Nicolas Zaugra
Published on Jan 15, 24 at 4:13 p.m. See my news Follow Lyon News
The latest census figures showed for the first time in 15 years a stagnation in the number of new inhabitants in Lyon, according to the latest data from theINSEE. But the nine districts of Lyon are not all in the same boat.
The 5th arrondissement of Lyon loses the most inhabitants
The one who loses the most inhabitants in a year, over the period 2020-2021, is the fifth arrondissement of Lyon. This sector of the city which extends from the banks of the Saône with Vieux-Lyon, to the hill of Fourvière via Gorge de Loup, Saint-Just or Minival shows the greatest loss of inhabitants.
According to INSEE figures, the 5th lost 1.69% of inhabitants over one year, unlike the 7th which saw its population jump by 1.88%. Why such a drop in population for this historic district? There environmentalist mayor Nadine Georgel assures that residents “are not fleeing” his district, but that there are more complex issues.
“A little surprised by these figures”
The district representative assures us that she is “a little surprised by these figures” and calls for “cautious analysis”. “There is a decline in the population, I agree, but we must take into account the causes. » According to her, there is no “flight of residents” from the district.
She recalls the demographic composition of the 5ᵉ, “made up largely of very elderly residents, but also of students”. “10% of the population is over 75 years old, we have a lot of residents who live in nursing homes, without doubt we are the district with the most,” according to her.
Over a longer period of time, the population of the 5th increases with 48,711 inhabitants in 2021 compared to 46,738 in 2010.
Nadine Georgel, mayor of the 5th arrondissement of Lyon. (©DR)
“There was a Covid effect”
With an older population than elsewhere, Nadine Georgel also notes a “Covid effect” on seniors. “50% of our population is young or senior, we only have 35% working people and 15% children,” continues the mayor.
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She assures that “47% of residents have lived in the district for at least ten years”, citing figures from INSEE. “In the 7th arrondissement, it’s more like 26%. » In the 5th, she assures that “those who arrive settle down and stay, from the start of their studies and afterwards with their family”.
From Old Lyon to more residential neighborhoods
Nadine Georgel affirms that she first notices an arrival of new, younger inhabitants in the sector of Old Lyon “more lively, with restaurants, bars, a certain atmosphere”, but that this same district is also affected by the departures of an older population because of the “Airbnb effect” and the consequences of tourism.
In Old Lyon, it is mainly young residents who are settling down. (©Nicolas Zaugra/ news Lyon)
According to her, residents who then form a family with one or more children partly decide to stay in the 5th, but in more residential neighborhoods like Saint-Just, Wolf Gorge or Minival. “There is a village atmosphere with everything you need, local shops,” says the mayor, who ensures that her district continues to be attractive despite this loss of population.
“Thanks to the exceptional heritage, but also to the numerous green spaces,” according to her.
MAP. The evolution of the number of inhabitants by districts of Lyon (2020 to 2021)
“800 new housing units delivered over the 2022-2023 period”
Does the district, which is very stingy with its land reserves and with residents very concerned not to see large buildings growing in front of their homes, have enough new housing to attract?
“Over the period 2015-2021, there were construction launches, but not completed on the planned dates due to Covid. But there were 800 new housing units delivered over the 2022-2023 period”, affirms the mayor of the 5th, which gives her hope for a more positive next census with very different figures. “It’s likely that there is a reverse dynamic,” she says.
She cites the first real estate program of affordable housing under real solidarity lease which is emerging on avenue du Point du Jour on the site of a former gas station.
Towards a positive effect thanks to the express tram in western Lyon?
One of the major handicaps of the 5ᵉ is its accessibility. Its geographical location without direct public transport to the peninsula and Part-Dieu makes it less attractive than the 7th or 8th.
“We have the highest rate of household motorization in Lyon with more than 70% of our residents have a car. 18% have two vehicles. In the 7th arrondissement, it’s only 47%,” announces the elected environmentalist.
Will the new express tram project for western Lyon (TEOL) have a boosting effect on the attractiveness of the 5ᵉ, by connecting Point du Jour and Jean Macé in 15 minutes and Perrache in less than ten minutes? ?
The Point du Jour district in the 5ᵉ will be better served with the future TEOL. (©Wikimedia)
“It’s a huge benefit for the district. The TEOL will change the lives of residents. But will it change the dynamic? It’s too early to say. There are already densification projects for welcome new residents, but we want to preserve this balance between densification and preservation of house housing,” concludes Nadine Georgel.
For the Metropolis of Lyon, this new demographic trend which puts an end to a “crazy period” where Lyon welcomed thousands of new inhabitants each year is in any case “a good thing”, says Béatrice Vessiller, vice-president of town planning. in Greater Lyon.
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2024-01-15 16:47:23
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