Urban planning and development

The City's housing policy is based on three priorities:

• continuing to develop its stock of social housing,
• expanding its offering of affordable housing for first-time buyers.

Concerning social housing, the 25% target is about to be reached. The City had 35,764 social housing units (24.78%) in 2010, i.e. 1,184 more than in 2009. To achieve its objective, the new 2010-2016 local housing programme (PLH), has set its priority on a high construction level (2,500 housing units started per year, of which 50% consists of subsidised housing).

 

 

 

 

The City supports its residents for the purchase of their first homes. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, the housing units dedicated to first-time buyers are in high demand.

In 2010, some fifteen housing programmes comprised affordable housing (approximately 20% below market prices): in ZAC Bottière Chénaie, the Erdre Porterie district, the Pré Gauchet district, the Clos Toreau district and the Vallon des Dervallières district.

 

 

 

The Chantenay-Sainte Anne general-interest programme (PIG) initiated in 2004 was completed in 2010. This vast housing improvement programme aimed to develop a stock of affordable rental housing, eliminate run-down housing, keep elderly people in their own homes, improve the communal parts of co-owned buildings and insulate homes.

The results are positive and the initial objectives have been exceeded. As an example, 31 housing units were renovated (instead of the 20 initially planned) and 16 units were insulated (7 planned).

 

 

As the months go by, the ambition of the Island of Nantes to become a place suited to all activities is proving to be more and more realistic: housing, economic activities, higher education, large infrastructures, culture and leisure.

The City has been supporting the Metropolis of Nantes and the Société d'Aménagement de la Métropole Ouest Atlantique (SAMOA) in the deployment of projects on the island with a new management team: this year it is headed by architect Marcel Smets.

 

 

 

In 2010, new buildings emerged and green areas were created:

• opening of the graphic arts centre in the future creative arts district: facilities and premises to provide training in graphic arts, applied arts and the printing trades,

 

 

 

 

 

• construction of 153 housing units and offices in various parts of the island,

 

 

 

 

 

 

• continuation of the work in the public areas of the creative arts district. Schools, research institutes, businesses and industries focused on creative arts will co-exist in the future cultural and artistic area (design, media, graphic arts, etc.),

 

 

 

 

 

• completion of the work around the Léopold Sedar Senghor bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since 2007, city-centre shops have been upholding a common identity under the slogan "Les Rues de Nantes – Il y a tellement plus en centre-ville !" (The streets of Nantes – There's so much more in the city centre). On the strength of this success, the two financial partners (the City of Nantes and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nantes) signed a new three-year agreement in February 2010 to promote the city centre by focusing attention on its distinctive assets over the surrounding hypermarkets.

The action plan comprises billboard campaigns, press advertising, radio campaigns, as well as the ongoing publication of the shopkeeper information journal "Bruits de Rues", at a total cost of €135,000.

The City also provides financial support to the shopkeepers federations Plein Centre and Unacod for street entertainment and the financing of 2 coordinators' jobs.

In Nantes, the bicycle accounts for 2% of urban travel. The goal set by the City and Metropolis of Nantes is to reach 15% by 2030. This ambition has given rise to a bike path creation plan to promote the use of the bicycle in 2010; it provides for:

• new city-centre zones with a speed limit of 30 km/hr,
• new zones restricted to pedestrians, bicycles and public transport,
• mainstreaming of 2-way bike paths in 30 km/hr zones,
• mainstreaming of bike boxes,
• mainstreaming, after experimentation, of right turn on red,
• the development of continuous bike paths, including the creation of 2 main trunks running East to West and North to South,
• bike racks every 50 to 100 metres,
• sheltered spaces in public car parks and commuter car parks,
• extension of the Bicloo bike rental self-service with 102 stations by 2011.

All of these measures should allow better cohabitation of bicycles with cars, motorbikes and pedestrians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tram-train is a means of transport boasting the tram's acceleration capacity and the train's top speed capacity. It is thus perfectly suited to suburban transport requirements. In February 2010, the general public was able to get a preview of this innovative means of transport during its testing at the Nantes station. This mode of transport will offer local residents a wide range of assets such as low floors accessible to mobility impaired persons, modern design, numerous seats, toilets, luggage racks, WiFi connection, real-time information system, etc. It will also reduce the burden of TER trains which are very crowded at peak traffic times.

The line to Clisson will open in 2011 and the work on the Nantes-Châteaubriant line will be completed by the end of 2012.

At the end of June 2010, the Metropolis of Nantes voted in favour of the set-up of Liber'Tan, a contactless card to gain the loyalty of occasional users and make life easier for them.

By 2013, it will enable them to take any buses, busways, tramways or navibuses they wish.

The user will have to beep his/her card on each trip, which will be paid for at the end of the month, at a reduced price.

This upgradable pass will subsequently be usable in all of the region's transport networks and services: Lila buses, TER train, bicycle rental, car parks, etc.

 

Christmas lights

• 317 decorations set up for the Christmas period in 74 city-centre streets and €140,000 allocated to Unacod for the Christmas lights in other districts.

Housing

• 35,764 social housing units in Nantes
• 917 new housing units delivered (PLUS, PLAi, PLS)
• 31 blue housing units (social housing and services designed for people over the age of 65) were allocated
• 33 housing units designed for handicapped or mobility impaired persons were allocated
• 166 affordable housing units for first-time buyers were put on the market (+150%)
• 3,123 housing units under construction (+158%)

Bottière Chenaie concerted development area (ZAC)

• Completion of the refurbishing of public areas (North-West sector), the Route de Sainte Luce and H. Tazieff mall
• Delivery of 64 Atrealis housing units

Bout des Pavés

• In 2010, the SAMO started work on the Fresche Blanc Bourgeonnière combined operation comprising 213 student housing units, 63 social rental units, two homes for elderly handicapped persons and a Post Office

Clos Toreau

• 234 rehabilitated housing units delivered in 2010

Erdre Fleuriaye

• 117 housing units delivered in 2010