This Friday, July 11, the Metropolitan Council took place. On the agenda: land planning, transportation, and ecological transition. Here’s a summary of the deliberations.
9:30 AM. The Albert Camus amphitheater is not full, but it is well-occupied. The Metropolitan Council, presided over by Christian Estrosi, begins. On the agenda for the deliberations is an important theme: land planning, including its planning and the issue of housing. Other topics marked the morning, with debates on transportation, housing, and ecological transition. In total, twenty-eight items were addressed in the morning.
Land planning: the core of the day’s debates
“The session is marked by the future of land planning. It is the core of today’s debates,” exclaimed Christian Estrosi as the debates on the first items, which pertain to land planning, began. The first debate focused on the Sustainable Development and Planning Project (PADD), the cornerstone of the Metropolitan Local Urban Plan (PLUm). A second discussion addressed a simplified modification procedure number 3 of the PLUm.
The PADD allows for the establishment of the local territorial development’s main outlines, providing a coherent framework for the territory’s evolution over the next fifteen years. Issues of housing, mobility, and economic activities are at the center of this project. A file that did not fail to spark opposition in the Albert Camus amphitheater.
The PADD would lead to “a forced urban exodus” for the group “Another path for the Metropolis.” According to the Ecologist group, “There is no economic development policy outside of tourism.” A PADD that, according to Sylvie Bonaldi, a member of the opposition, lacks ambition, or “realism”. Numerous criticisms to which Anthony Borré, vice president in charge of the 2040 Metropolis Plan, responded: “I haven’t heard any new proposals. The state of the metropolis is far better than the national situation. Our 2025 balance sheet is actually much better than in recent years. 744 social housings for the metropolis in 2024 compared to 1017 in 2025. Despite the crisis, we continue to act because we have a duty towards the most fragile and disadvantaged populations. The answers are there,” he declared.
To recall, the PADD is founded on three main axes: a remarkable and unique territory, an economic and attractive territory, and a balanced and caring territory. Despite some opposing votes, these items were approved by the majority of present council members.
Transport-related items
Two transport-related items were also debated. The first concerns the New Provence Côte d’Azur Line (LNPCA). The debate focused on the approval of the terms of the specific financing agreement concerning the contributions made by the member communities of the LNPCA society for financing phases one and two of the project. The vote was in favor, a result that pleased Louis Nègre, the rapporteur.
“We are going to transform the local landscape; finally, we have this new line. We are no longer in studies or projects; we are in action. Finally, we have a European vision from the Mediterranean basin of Barcelona to Genoa,” he declared.
The second item concerned the multimodal exchange hub of La Trinité. It was proposed to the council members to approve the funding agreement for preliminary design studies of the accessibility improvement of the La Trinité-Victor stop as well as its integration into the multimodal hub. This item was also approved despite some refusals and abstentions.
Ecological transition and Housing
This Metropolitan Council was also an opportunity for council members to approve the France Rénov’ territorial pact agreement with the National Housing Improvement Agency (Anah). An approved file, which allows the Nice metropolis to continue its proactive housing policy. These France Rénov’ Territorial Pacts are an agreement between the State, Anah, and local authorities. They aim to simplify and strengthen the assistance to households in renovating their homes.
On this occasion, the Ecological Transition Desk also replaces the metropolitan desk for energy renovation. This metropolitan desk has already allocated 620,000 euros in aid and participated in the energy diagnosis of 4,500 homes. This new desk will bring together all previous tools into one territorial desk. Two deliberations in line with the metropolis of Nice’s desire to improve its inhabitants’ living environment.
After more than three hours of deliberations, the Metropolitan Council concluded with wishes from president Christian Estrosi and those from opposition groups, in a more relaxed atmosphere. The mayor of Nice also wished all the council members a pleasant summer vacation.
