Abstract
Planning system in France and England shares many common points; there are different local authorities and territorial collectivity in each country, private and public sector plays an important role in the land-use planning… but there are also lots of differences; policy is not the same in each country, the power of each territorial collectivity or local authority is different; however, all these things are changing.
In this essay, we will explain and define the different territorial collectivities and local authorities, show which network exists between the different levels in France in the first part and in England in the second part. In the third part, we will make a comparison between the role and the evolution of communes and local systems in each country. Finally, we will make a comparison between the evolution and the role of planning policy in each country.
Extract
[...] But, local government autonomy has often been constrained: local government has to have a final approval from the central government before to adopte early development plans and subsequent structure plans. In 1990s, we could see appeared joint structure planning arrangements between countries and new unitary authorities in many regions, which was in parallel with the creation of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) across England. This required far more cooperation and discussion between neighbouring local authorities than in the 1980s. RPG has been replaced by Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) In 2004, thus placing regional planning on a firm legislative footing. [...]
[...] We therefore compare the role of private and public sector in France and England. Specialist structures for the implementation of planning policy (held outside the main institutions of central and local government) have been developed in both countries. They have also created special agencies and development organisations to tackle particular aspects of land use change and development. But, there is a principal distinction between France and Britain; the movement in Britain towards the integration of the private sector into partnership arrangements, which often involve a reduction in the role or influence of local authorities, while in France the move is towards decentralisation, privileging, collectivités as implementation agents. [...]
[...] Nevertheless, the SCOT is more a plan for functional area which could extend beyond the boundaries of the „Communautés d‟agglomération‟ and „Communautés de communes‟ created under the 1999 legislation. Furthermore, the loi SRU allows multi-commune local plans has created a single PLU for each 'Communauté urbaine'. Consequently Plan-making involves significant Franco-British contrasts. There are lot cooperation and network between the different communes which permit to create strategic planning. That's why we can see many French local plans be adopted by small communes heavily reliant on external advice. [...]
[...] It‟s the „conseil general‟ which lead the department (the „conseil général is elected by an universal suffrage. In France, the regional cutting created 26 administrative regions (each region contain several department. This regional cutting is volition to develop the country and correct inegalities (for example the inegalities between Paris and the „Province‟. With the law of decentralisation, regions have the title of „collectivités territoriales‟.The „loi constitutionnelle‟ of the 28th of march 2003 expand the decentralisation. Regions won regulatory power, they can fixe the „taux d‟imposition‟ and can submit a project to the local referendum. [...]
[...] In the UK there are larger local governments units exist. France wants to avoid to create an imbalance between regions and therefore between the poorest western and central regions and Paris and eastern regions. That's why we can see the creation of „pôles de competitivité‟ and „appel à coopération métropolitaine‟ which is created to support cities to develop their high level economic functions it's becoming the key concept of the national policy. By contrast in the UK, it's since a long time that the policy try to decrease regional variations. [...]
