Launch of Action Coeur de Ville 2 by Christophe Béchu and Caroline Cayeux

Since 2017, the first phase of the national Action heart of the city program has made it possible to strengthen the attractiveness and support the sustainable development of 234 "medium" cities which exercise a centrality function, by investing up to 5 billion euros as a priority in the revitalization of their city centers in order to make them more attractive and resilient. Five years later, the results are there: more than 6500 actions undertaken, attendance at these municipalities has increased by 15% since 2018 and 91% of elected officials say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the program.

One year after the announcement by the President of the Republic to extend the program, and in order to continue and strengthen the attractiveness of medium-sized cities, the ministers are announcing the measures in detail until 2026. At least 5 billion euros, out of 4 years, made possible thanks to the commitment of the State and its financial partners (Banque des Territoires, Anah and Action Logement), will make it possible to continue to revitalize the 234 municipalities identical to those of the first part. The State will continue its role of facilitator to allow the territories to develop their own projects.

Adapting to climate change and promoting energy and land sobriety will become the common threads of this second phase (fight against urban sprawl, renaturation, renovation, treatment of wasteland, etc.).

If interventions in the city center remain the priority of the program, particular attention will be paid to station neighborhoods and city entrances, which are key sectors for ensuring the ecological transition in medium-sized cities.

In this sense, the ministers asked the prefects, in agreement with the mayor, to further suspend projects for the installation of shops on the outskirts when the latter are detrimental to the commercial revitalization of their city center.

Also, the ministers will propose a dedicated system aimed at bringing new life to historic and emblematic buildings that have today been left fallow.

Finally, the ministers wish to offer the mayors of LCA municipalities enhanced support in their overall strategy for adapting to climate change. They will also be able to call on a “shared energy adviser” to help the municipality identify new levers for controlling energy.

For Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion: “Action Cœur de ville has produced concrete results in the daily life of French men and women: revitalization of shops, renovation of housing, enhancement of the built heritage, strengthening of transport... At the call of the President of the Republic, the he State and its partners have committed €5 billion, and so many projects have come out of the ground! Action Cœur de ville is also a new way of working with the territories to meet the concrete needs of our fellow citizens, and we therefore want to continue by making the ecological transition the green thread of this act 2! We have 234 medium-sized towns that can embody the success of the ecological transition of acts and everyday life, and we want to carry high the example they set by making France the first green Nation. »

For Caroline Cayeux, Minister in charge of Local Authorities: “When the program works well, we go further! For five years, Action Coeur de Ville has been providing a strong political response to enhance the attractiveness of city centers and give them back a role as a development engine for their territories. More than 6500 actions have made it possible to significantly improve the quality of life of the inhabitants, with the restoration of heritage, the repair of buildings, the relocation of shops, the renaturation of spaces, or the redevelopment of mobility. Today, I am proud to announce that we are strengthening the means devoted to part 2, with an additional budget – at least five billion euros over four years – in favor of 234 medium-sized towns. We are going to make the ecological transition the common thread of this part 2!. We will also integrate city entrances and within the perimeter of possible interventions. And this, in order to place medium-sized towns at the heart of the development of our country, at the heart of its sustainable development! »