STUDY ON THE METHOD OF LOCAL PLANNING IN FRANCE : (1) "Land use planning" for small communes

Abstract

In France, land-use competition has been severe in certain regions between constructions, housings, agriculture, transportations, and leisure activities. Until the decentralisation of 1983, the central government prepared authorized land-use plans. This responsibility has been transferred to communes if they wish so. The regional planning system has been changed : PAR (Plan d'Amenagement Rural) transferred to CIDA (Les Chartes Intercommunales de Developpement et d'Amenagement) and small communes are now able to plan POS if they want to. In small communes near cities POS functions to harmonize land-use conflict between urban and rural interests. In contrast, small communes in remote areas, use POS to get a areas designated for non-agricultural uses such as household enterprises, traditions art industries and tourist operations to revitalize their community.