Labelled an “Operation of National Interest”

The status of “Operation of National Interest” highlights the State’s commitment to the project, which is one of the largest OIN’s (Opération d’Intérêt National) in France.

The State’s engagement

At the initiative of Christian Estrosi, who was, at the time, Minister of Urban Planning (March 2008), the State granted the Eco-Vallée de la plaine du Var project the status of Operation of National Interest (Opération d’Intérêt National OIN). This status is accorded by the State to territorial projects which are aligned with the national strategies and objectives, and with a national impact given by their importance. Today, there are currently thirteen OINs in France. With its perimeter of nearly10 000 hectares, the Eco-Vallée is one of the most vast. Implementation and planning of the OIN have been entrusted to a State run public development agency,referred to as EPA (Etablissement Public d’Aménagement) plaine du Var.

 

Sustainable development in practice

One of the key reasons this Côte d’Azur project is of national interest, is that it will accelerate Nice’s development as one of France’s most international townships, competing among the European cities. It will also be in the national spot light as a top standards, eco-friendly site that will serve to show how to put to practice the policy in favor of biodiversity and sustainable development, laid out at the Grenelle of the Environment. As a first initiative after those talks, the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolis had adhered to the « EcoCités » approach, launched by the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, in favor of sustainable development.

 

General mobilization

The State has federated, around this project, all the local collective instances:

The Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis which will deploy its training and research strategy pertaining to sustainable technologies, health, and green growth. It also plans to ensure easy access to a large part of the Eco-Vallée , as part of its long term transport scheme.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council, the Alpes-Maritimes General Council and two intermunicipal areas of the Plaine du Var, Coteaux d’Azur and Estéron, also share this ambition : to make this territory, as well as the Côte d’Azur and the whole adjoining region, a showcase for a new model of development.